Biological Science Laboratory Technician

As a Biological Science Laboratory Technician with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant and Protection Quarantine (PPQ), Pest Exclusion and Import Program (PEIP), National Identification Services (NIS), you will be responsible for the daily operational activities of the assigned laboratory, facilitating scientific activities required for pest identification. (Of the 3 vacancies announced here, two will focus on Molecular Biology, and one will focus on Mycology)

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National

The duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Applying basic principles of a biological science to assess readings and measurements taken, tests executed, observations made, work completed, samples collected, etc.
• Preparing and submitting comprehensive written reports describing test procedures and results and managing plant and/or pest samples and resulting data.
• Sorting urgent and routine pest samples from port interceptions nationwide and forwarding to appropriate professional staff for final identification.
• Conducting tests and analyses of studies and evaluations of data on plant pests / pathogens detected domestically or intercepted at ports of entry from all parts of the world.
• Performing literature searches, cataloguing information from this literature, and developing new techniques or refining and modifying standard methods of specimen preparation.
• Operating necessary equipment and associated software such as thermal cyclers, DNA sequencers, and stereoscopic/compound photographic system as occasion warrants.
• Organizing and executing a range of organism identification activities in support of PPQ entomologists or mycologists.
• Supporting the daily operational activities of the assigned laboratory, ordering supplies and equipment, managing purchase-related paperwork, helping to plan and organize training sessions, and preparing training materials.
• Assisting with maintenance and improvement of collections in the selected discipline, maintaining related databases of pest interceptions, collections, and loans and performing general data entry into different databases

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.

FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Experience handling, sorting, and inventorying biological specimens collected in field surveys or as part of museum collections using microscopes and other laboratory equipment.
• Experience recording and maintaining files of molecular and specimen-related data using computer spreadsheets and databases, and ability to summarize findings.
• Experience preparing biological samples or specimens for molecular or microbial analysis by using sterile technique and DNA isolation methods.
• Experience in operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment used for scientific investigations of biology such as microscopes, freezers, centrifuges, thermal cyclers, DNA sequencers, fume hoods, and sterilizers.
• Experience using mathematics to prepare stock solutions, follow recipes for experiments, or convert measurements used for scientific investigation.

OR

Successful completion of one full year (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or equivalent) of graduate level education in biology, plant pathology, entomology, or closely related fields. 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required if:

• You are qualifying for the position based on education.
• You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
• This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

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 using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

 

• Laboratory Support

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: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12570457