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Biological Science Laboratory Technician
Biological Science Laboratory Technician - Full Time / Permanent, Beltsville, MD
The selectee serves as Biological Science Laboratory Technician at a laboratory or work unit within Plant Protection and Quarantine, Science and Technology (PPQ S&T) and is responsible for carrying out complex tasks, analyses, evaluations, studies, and diagnostics using a variety of sophisticated technologies in support of scientific studies.
- 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; refines, verifies, justifies, and organizes the data; analyzes and evaluates findings; and writes up results for review.
- 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.
- Manages plant and/or pest samples and resulting data, including receipt, storage, processing, photographing, and archiving while following procedures to ensure sample integrity and custody.
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.
- 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.
- Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter.
- Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
- May be required to do field work on a daily basis or for extended periods of time.
- Exposure to harsh field environments may occur, including extended periods of heat, cold, inclement weather, or uneven terrain.
- 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 that may require operational and safety training.
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 grade level) that demonstrates:
- Knowledge of basic scientific principles and common field and laboratory techniques to assist with research in any of the following disciplines: plant pathology, microbiology, molecular biology, or other related disciplines.
- Experience with common laboratory techniques such as nucleic acid extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis, ELISA, sequencing, or others.
- Experience in data management to include: collection, electronically storing data, basic summary analysis and reporting.
- Experience in operating and maintaining specialized laboratory equipment, and maintaining inventories of samples, reagents, and supplies.
- Ability to work with hazardous materials following established safety procedures and SOPs.
OR Successful completion of 18 semester hours of graduate level education or internship in plant pathology, microbiology, biology, molecular biology, agriculture, or in a field directly related to the position, may be substituted for the specialized experience at the GS-7 level.
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.
Education
Please see above for education qualification requirement information.
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.
- 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.
- This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit (union), specifically the National Association of Agricultural Employees.
- 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.
- Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.
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