Biological Science Technician (Animal)

Clarification from the agency

US Citizens and Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required.

• Provides daily care for animals assigned to research studies, ensuring defined protocol parameters are followed and maintained, including additional protocols required of each type of animal containment.
• Participates in the collection and maintenance of daily and periodic measures such as feed consumption, body weight, and body temperature and reviews data to ensure accurate collection and repeats measures with unexpected outcomes.
• In accordance with established processes, methods, and procedures, performs a full range of duties related to poultry husbandry (hatching chicks, breeders, layers, waterfowl, and turkeys) and the processing of poultry.
• Maintains, cleans, and disinfects animal containment units and equipment in animal research and poultry processing facilities.
• Applies procedures to disassemble, assemble, test and operate isolation units to ensure biocontainment and monitors and maintains appropriate internal unit environment.
• Operates one or all of animal housing and poultry processing equipment to ensure the welfare and well-being of the animals and personnel.

Conditions of employment

• Must be able to lift items up to 75 pounds with appropriate support.
• 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 Special Agency Check and (Tier 3) background investigation and/or fingerprint check
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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/
• Drug Testing Required.
• Must participate in Occupational Medical Surveillance Program.
• Successfully clear a pre-employment physical examination and respirator fit test.
• Obtain and Maintain Security Risk Assessment from the Federal Select Agent Program.
• Showering out of containment and biocontainment one or more times a day; must not have any skin condition which would prevent the showering. Instructions regarding decontamination from biocontainment must be followed.
• Exigency position, the incumbent is expected to report for duty when the laboratory is closed due to hazardous weather, heightened threat levels, or natural disasters. Work on the weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings are required.
• Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's License required.

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-7
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for the GS-07 grade level includes one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-06 grade level 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 participating in one or more phases of the animal research process, AND
• Working with animals in an agricultural, commercial, or research setting, AND
• Operating laboratory or field equipment in support of a research project.

Education: Successful completion of one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Animal Science, Poultry Science, or Microbiology, and related fields.

OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated above.

GS-8
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for the GS-08 grade level includes one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-07 grade level 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 planning and conducting an agricultural animal research project to include collecting or maintaining biological samples related to agricultural animals, AND
• Working with animals in an agricultural, commercial, or research setting, AND
• Operating equipment in support of an animal research project, AND
• Recording and compiling research results and data using automated software or equipment.

OR

Education: Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Animal Science, Poultry Science, or Microbiology, and related fields.

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.

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy. This means you will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Teamwork

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12991037

When we complete our selections, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with additional Federal agencies. You will have an opportunity to opt-in if you would like your name, application materials, and assessment results shared with additional Federal agencies to be considered for employment. There is no guarantee of further consideration.

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. 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.
• If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
• If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FedsHireVets.
• 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), current performance appraisal with rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

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