Biological Science Laboratory Technician

Clarification from the agency

The Hiring Authority for College Graduates/Post Secondary students will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy. Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen with a baccalaureate or graduate degree received within the last two years.

• Participates as a team member with the scientist in all phases of the research process and assumes full technical and operational responsibility for specific phases of the research.
• Independently develops or designs various aspects of research projects on the basis of overall objectives outlined by the supervisor.
• Contributes to the planning of carious steps in experiment or project and to interpretation and documentation of findings.
• Operates and maintains a variety of highly specialized complex equipment which must be calibrated and synchronized to achieve desired results.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

GS-07:
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience carrying out routine laboratory support tasks using established methods in biological or agricultural research settings; and following detailed instructions to prepare samples, operate basic laboratory equipment, and record data accurately.
OR
Education: Successful completion of at least one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a masters' or equivalent graduate degree, related degrees may include biology, plant pathology, plant physiology, entomology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, soil science, agronomy, nutrient management, animal science, dairy science.
OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated above.

GS-08:
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. Qualifying experience for GS-08 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience performing a variety of laboratory procedures; operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory instruments and equipment; and prioritizing tasks, resolve routine problems, and ensure accurate, reliable research data in support of scientific studies.
OR
Education: Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a masters' or equivalent graduate degree, related degrees may include biology, plant pathology, plant physiology, entomology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, soil science, agronomy, nutrient management, animal science, dairy science.
OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated above.

GS-09:
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. Qualifying experience for GS-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-08 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience executing complex laboratory procedures using biological research methods, including modifying or developing techniques to meet research objectives; planning, conducting, and evaluating laboratory tasks or experiments; and interpreting findings and contributing to the effectiveness of scientific projects.
OR
Education: Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a masters' or equivalent graduate degree, related degrees may include biology, plant pathology, plant physiology, entomology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, soil science, agronomy, nutrient management, animal science, dairy science.
OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated above.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This is a College Graduate Hiring Authority position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veterans' preference does not apply due to the existence of the Hiring Authority for College Graduates for this position.

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Note: All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated by a resume. If, upon review, it is determined that your resume and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be removed from consideration.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.

To view the application form, visit:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13060861

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

• Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed 2 pages.
• If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
• Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

Next steps