Biological Science Technician (Animal/High Containment)

Full Job Description

These positions are located in the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), Animal Resources Unit (ARU).

If selected, you will be responsible for performing technical work in support of the care, maintenance, health and behavior of animals (cattle, swine, small ruminants, poultry, horses and traditional laboratory animals) involved in the scientific research projects.

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. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised.

The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 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 this position, specialized experience includes care of livestock or traditional laboratory animals which must have included caring, feeding, and evaluating their welfare; handling animals in an agricultural, commercial, or research setting; or operating common laboratory or field equipment.

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, Chemistry, Microbiology, Virology, Zoology, or other related field of study directly related to the position.

OR A combination of education and experience as described above.

Certification as a Laboratory Animal Technician by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) or a related specialty certification is preferred, but not required.

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:

• Provides solutions to any issues in adapting care of animals within the confines of the specific scientific study, often involving innovative enrichment activities.
• Captures and restrains animals for treatment, examination, or specimen collection both ante and postmortem.
• Performs a variety of processes, methods, procedures and tasks related to the care, routine cleaning and feeding of the animals.
• May perform minor veterinary procedures such as wound cleaning and flushing, bandaging, microchipping, ear tagging, nail/hoof/claw trims, and others, as well as euthanasia and necropsy with tissue collection.
• Uses electronic tablets and computers in the recording of data and observations, including animal history records, origin and disposition, veterinary procedures and tests requested/performed, and animal care and use.
• Prepares charts, spreadsheets and summaries, cross referencing facts, dates, and other data.
• Ensures feed is stored appropriately per facility SOPs, identifies and clearly labels spoiled or contaminated feed for disposal, ensuring feed is within the prescribed shelf life or expiration date.
• Maintains inventory required to do the work, informing leads/supervisors of low inventory for supplies needed for work.