BIOLOGICAL ADMINISTRATOR II - SES - 64026383

Requisition No: 886049

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL ADMINISTRATOR II - SES - 64026383

Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 64026383

Salary: $53,917.08 - $87,602.06 Annually

Posting Closing Date: 11/03/2026

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Florida Department of Health

Open Competitive Opportunity

Bureau of Public Health Laboratories

Jacksonville Laboratory

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position is the lead molecular biologist for the state at the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories (BPHL). The State Molecular Administrator is a senior supervisory position responsible for the supervision and technical management of the Molecular Microbiology, General Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology and TB/Mycobacteriology sections of the BPHL in Jacksonville. This position works with the Jacksonville Virology supervisor, the lead BT coordinator, and Jacksonville’s assay development expert to ensure Advanced LRN-Reference laboratory sequencing and other molecular needs are met. This position is also responsible for providing support to the molecular microbiology testing efforts for the state, providing technical support for Tampa and Miami BPHL. This position is responsible for managing the supervisory positions in the Molecular/General/Environmental Microbiology and TB/Mycobacteriology sections which includes the PulseNet laboratory and oversight of other molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, and whole genome sequencing (WGS). This position is responsible for grant activities including writing narratives, budgets, workplans, milestones as well as monitoring grant deliverables and providing updates. As administrator of molecular testing for the state, this position coordinates sequencing activities at BPHL and requires frequent interaction with colleagues within the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) including the Bureau of Epidemiology, Food and Waterborne Disease Program and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB) Control programs, and interaction with various other programs within the Division of Disease Control and Health Protection. In addition, the incumbent will liaise with entities outside of FDOH including Center for Disease Control (CDC) programs e.g. PulseNet, Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD), Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network (ARLN), Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI), National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS), and in other state public health laboratories. This position spends the majority of the time engaged in supervisory responsibilities. This includes communicating with, motivating, training, and evaluating employees in addition to planning and directing employees' work. The incumbent has the authority to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, or discipline subordinate employees or effectively recommend such action. The incumbent will also be required to develop performance expectations, meet with staff regularly to discuss performance, complete performance reviews, maintain vacation and work schedules, ensuring proper coverage, and complete timesheets. This position serves as the Alternate Responsible Official for the Select Agent Program.

The incumbent manages, plans, and implements Molecular Microbiology testing services to meet requirements of FDOH and various CDC programs such as PulseNet, AMD, NARMS, and ARLN. This includes method development and implementation, supervising molecular staff and ensuring that work schedules are appropriate to meet the demands of the work to be completed. This position ensures that PulseNet/WGS work is completed within the necessary turnaround times and is reported accurately into the PulseNet 2.0 software program for uploading of data to the CDC PulseNet program. This position also ensures that other molecular analyses are also completed in a timely and accurate manner, including but not limited to DNA sequencing for tuberculosis targets for identifying antibiotic resistance, DNA sequencing for the identification of bacterial and fungal organisms and other molecular methods for the identification/characterization of microorganisms and WGS of a range of organisms as appropriate e.g. Neisseria meningitidis.

The incumbent serves as administrator of the General Microbiology and Environmental Microbiology and TB/Mycobacteriology sections. The supervisors for these sections report to this position and overall technical direction and policies for these sections are the responsibility of the incumbent.

This position is responsible for the recruitment, selection, training, and development of employees, including successful licensure and continuing education programs where necessary, annual review, and performance planning for each employee, and decisions to take corrective or disciplinary actions when necessary. Schedules technical staff for weekend or holiday rotation as well as natural disaster emergencies as they arise. Plans and administers state approved training programs for laboratory personnel and performs other work-related duties as required for successful laboratory operations.

Provides oversight of Microbiology sections and ensures they meet quality assurance requirements. The position ensures that all standard operating procedures (SOPs) are up-to-date and reviewed on an annual basis, quality assurance/quality control programs are in place including competency assessment and proficiency testing. The incumbent ensures safety standards are adhered to and the physical laboratory space and equipment is appropriate for the work to be completed (including instrument maintenance).

Supports the general microbiology and molecular sections for BPHL and has a good working knowledge of the BPHL microbiology sections, testing protocols, staffing and operations.

Performs other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of terminology, principles and techniques used in analysis and testing.

Knowledge of procedures, techniques & equipment used in lab testing and analysis.

Skill in the use of lab equipment.

Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to work independently.

Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.

Qualifications:

Minimum - Eligible for clinical laboratory or public health license.

Preferred - Hold a clinical laboratory or public health license.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Jacksonville, Florida

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 click www.myfrs.com );

- Flexible Spending Accounts;

- Tuition waivers;

- And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com .

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.

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

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). 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.

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.

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.