Job Description

Requisition No: 858182 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: ENTOMOLOGIST - SES - 42001237

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 42001237 

Salary: $55,000.40 - $62,000.12 

Posting Closing Date: 08/20/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator 

ENTOMOLOGIST-SES

(CLASS TITLE: BIOLOGICAL & CHEMISTRY SUPERVISOR)

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

*** OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Dr. Erin Powell: Erin.Powell@FDACS.gov

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences and two (2) years of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program.

Certain positions within this class require individuals to meet specific federal or state regulations as identified by the employing agency.

Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.

EDUCATIONAL NOTE: Graduates utilizing education attained in the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position will not be appointed until verification of the applicable degree has been obtained.   Foreign trained graduates utilizing a degree attained outside of the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position must be prepared to provide a copy of a credential evaluation conducted by an Approved Credential Evaluation Agency. A list of approved agencies can be viewed at “Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies, Florida Department of Education.”  

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values
and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Occasional travel required.

NOTES:

To maintain fairness and integrity in our hiring process, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews is strictly prohibited. Applicants must provide their own, authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and recruitment process. Any candidate found using AI to assist in their answers will be disqualified from consideration.

JOB DUTIES:

GENERAL STATEMENT: This is a highly technical, supervisory position that has diagnostic responsibilities of arthropods of the Order Hemiptera in support of the plant and plant pest regulatory activities of the Division of Plant Industry.

The incumbent spends majority of their time communicating with, motivating, providing, or coordinating training, and directing the work of subordinates. In addition, the incumbent must complete timely performance appraisals, develop accurate work plans, and timely approve attendance and leave for each subordinate. Incumbent has the authority to make recommendations for special pay increases, reclassifications, hiring, and disciplinary actions, when appropriate. Responsible and accountable for managing budget/dollars/resources (staff, vehicles, computers, cell phones, etc.) of any assigned programs in an efficient and accountable manner. Responsible for ensuring that assigned program areas have operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with division and department policies and procedures.

Performs final regulatory identifications and classifications of Hemiptera and other assigned taxa to the lowest taxonomic unit possible, using morphometric analysis and other scientific methods. Oversees management of Entomology sample processing within assigned taxonomic areas.

Develops identifications tools for taxa relevant to Florida’s fauna. Writes internal reports to advise leadership, pest alerts, outreach materials, and publishes research manuscripts in the appropriate scientific journals and outlets. Presents scientific findings, as requested. Collaborates with other experts worldwide. Maintains involvement in the scientific community via professional societies, peer-review, conferences, and training workshops.

Manages regulatory collections of the assigned taxa of the Florida State Collection of Arthropods. Keeps appropriate files and records for data retrieval. Prepares specimens for loans to arthropod systematists, maintains invoice files and corresponds with these scientists. 

Performs other duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of current systematic practice and theory, and curation and preparation procedures of entomological specimens for museum deposition.
• Knowledge of advanced principles in entomology and/or biology.
• Skill in hand-eye coordination to mount specimens on glass slides under microscopy.
• Skill in writing and publishing manuscripts.
• Skill in developing and conducting experiments.
• Skill in public speaking.
• Ability to use compound and dissecting microscopes.
• Ability to use computers, including databases, illustration, and the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and on a team.
• Ability to motivate, train, and supervise employees.
• Ability to determine work priorities, assign work, solve problems, and make decisions.
• Ability to understand, follow, and clearly direct accurate technical instructions.
• Ability to work with and around laboratory chemicals.
• Ability to work outdoors occasionally in nursery and natural environments.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please visit ;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit .

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the “Total Compensation Estimator Tool” located above under the “Posting Closing Date.”

SPECIAL NOTES:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

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