Biological Science Lab Technician

Full Job Description

This position is located in the National Bio Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) within one of the following units: Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL); Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit (FADRU); Foreign Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit (FABADRU); or Zoonotic and Emerging Disease Research Unit (ZEDRU).

The Biological Science Lab Technician is involved in most phases of the scientist's study and is responsible for conducting basic laboratory assays and data analysis.

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

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled.

Qualifying experience includes one year of specialized experience comparable to the next lower 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 successfully perform the duties of the position.

FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 grade level) that demonstrates: preparing or analyzing biological samples or pathology samples; operating common laboratory equipment used for test or evaluation procedures; and keeping detailed records of experimental data.

OR Education: 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 Agriculture, Animal Science, Biology, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Ecology, Entomology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Natural Science, Pre-Healthcare, Public Health, Virology, Zoology, or other related field of study directly related to the position.

OR A combination of education and experience as described above.?

FOR THE GS-08 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 grade level) that demonstrates: conducting basic molecular biology, cell culturing, histology or immunologic assays; analyzing and summarizing data using software packages; preparing reagents or solutions for use in a high containment laboratory setting.

OR Education: Two full years 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 Agriculture, Animal Science, Biology, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Ecology, Entomology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Natural Science, Pre-Healthcare, Public Health, Virology, Zoology, or other related field of study directly related to the position.

OR A combination of education and experience as described above.?

FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-08 grade level) that demonstrates: participating in a research project related to animals or insects; conducting advanced molecular biology assays, histology or immunologic assays; writing and troubleshooting protocols; maintaining specialized scientific equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures; and maintaining inventory of laboratory equipment, supplies, or biological materials.

OR Education: Two full years 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 Agriculture, Animal Science, Biology, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Ecology, Entomology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Natural Science, Pre-Healthcare, Public Health, Virology, Zoology, or other related field of study directly related to the position.

OR A combination of education and experience as described 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. Major Duties:

• Operates and maintains a variety of highly specialized complex equipment which must be calibrated and synchronized to achieve desired results.
• Tabulates, statistically analyzes and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.
• Searches for literature pertinent to area of research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse.
• Determines the kinds and frequency of tests, observations, etc., to be made and the amount of data to be recorded.
• Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies samples and supporting records. Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources.
• Maintains inventory of chemicals, prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse, and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).
• Develops or designs various aspects of research projects on the basis of overall objectives outlined by the supervisor.
• Interprets and documents findings by preparing information to be included in manuscripts or preparing reports summarizing progress or results of research.