Laboratory Technician III

WFREC Service: Incumbent practices and fosters team spirit and positive, productive relations with colleagues at the WFREC.

This position will be based at West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC), IFAS/UF, in Milton, Florida. Driving a state vehicle is required in the performance of the job, and travels to Milton campus and other research sites may be required.

Helps conduct natural resources conservation research in the field and in the greenhouse including plant and animal sampling, physical plot preparation, treatment installation, plot maintenance and data collection. Prepares soil and plant samples and analyzes them for macro and micronutrients.

Prepares materials for teaching of laboratory sections of wildlife ecology and conservation courses and assists in the teaching of laboratories as needed. Maintains records and inventory of supplies and chemicals needed for all teaching activities.

Utilizes computer programs such as Excel, Word, Powerpoint, SAS, Arcview and Arcinfo etc. to organize research data for analysis and presentation.

Assists in the editing and writing of research materials for final reports and research publications. May occasionally present data/information to the public or research partners.

Maintains laboratory and field records and inventory of supplies and chemicals needed for all field and greenhouse research activities.

Participates in the planning and coordinating of work assignments and research activities for graduate students and part-time employees. Interviews candidates for part-time employees.


Perform other tasks as necessary.

Associate’s degree in an appropriate area and four years of related experience; or a high school diploma or equivalent and six years of related experience. Appropriate college course work or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience. Must have a valid Florida Driver’s License.

A bachelor degree or higher in natural resource conservation, wildlife, range science or any other biological sciences is preferred.

Knowledge of plant and animal sampling techniques, and computer software for data acquisition, analysis and presentation desired. Experience with identification of flora of the southeast or midwest or identification of southeastern birds preferred.
Computer software skills should include word processing, spreadsheet creation and management.