Biological Science Lab Technician

Summary

As aBiological Science Laboratory Technicianat Moore Air Base (MAB) in Edinburg, TX you would be filling a critical role in support of the nation's New World Screwworm response activities. This position is part of the Health and Safety Occupations at MAB.

APHIS will also be accepting applications and conducting interviews in-person Nov 17-19 in McAllen, TX. Please see "How to Apply" and/or this site for more information.

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Duties

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• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Prepares study plans for scientific experiments, using the scientist's hypothesis; attends to all the technical/ administrative concerns; develops the data required.
• Acts independently within established parameters, frequently resolves difficult problems, and performs the full range of tests and procedures carried out in the assigned lab.
• Conducts tests and analyses of studies and evaluations of data on plant pests detected domestically or intercepted at ports of entry from all parts of the world.
• Collects and manages data, evaluates, and analyzes data pertaining to risk, diagnosis, mitigation, rearing, control, treatment, and quarantine status.
• Prepares and submits comprehensive written reports describing test procedures and results within specified timeframe.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male 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 [click to reveal website link]https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
• May be required to do field work on a daily bases or for extended periods of time.
• Exposure to harsh field environments may occur, including extended periods of heat, cold, inclement weather, or uneven terrain that must be traversed.
• Work requires periods of repetitive movements and moderate to heavy exertion in terms of moving equipment to conduct research indoors or in the field.
• May travel domestically and potentially internationally, based on project requirements.
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment for specific tasks.
• Some exposure to a variety of moderately hazardous chemicals and waste materials may occur.
• May be required to operate hazardous laboratory and/or field equipment e.g., irradiators, power tools, chain saws, man-lifts that may require operational and safety training and, in some cases certification, prior to use USDA will provide training.
• May be required to obtain PPQ Pesticide Applicator Training and/or training to apply fumigants requiring SCBA.
• May work at times in a Bio-safety Level 3 agriculture facility that will require changing clothes into work-suits.

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-7 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-6 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Experience with Plant Protection principles and laboratory techniques.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions and execute laboratory, field, or computer-based research.
• Experience in data collection, data quality control, electronically storing data, basic summary analysis and reporting.
• Ability to communicate effectively and successfully work with team members to achieve a common goal

OR

Successful completion of 18 semester hours of graduate level education or internship in biology, entomology, botany, or agriculture, or in a field directly related to the position

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-7 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.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
• First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
• Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.