Biological Science Technician (Field Assistant)

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What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?

Salary: $23.94 hourly (Step 01) to $31.12 hourly (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Resume Length: Please limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify at the GG-07 level: Possess 2 years 9 months of field party experience.

Field party experience includes activities associated with making and recording geologic, hydrologic, or topographic field observations; collecting geologic, biological, or water samples for laboratory analysis; applying accepted data collection techniques and methods in the performance of field work in support of scientific investigations; and using a variety of surveying instruments and electronic or mechanical instrumentation in the making and recording of field measurements and observations designed to collect data for geologic physical science investigations.

Only time actually spent in the field can be credited when qualifying individuals under the field party experience option. OR Possess 5 years sub-professional experience.

Sub-professional experience is defined as technical work performed in support of field or laboratory investigations relating to the biological sciences, physical sciences, or closely related disciplines, which provided basic knowledge or skills in gathering, recording, and assembling scientific or engineering data; using scientific instruments to measure angles, degrees weights, strengths, intensities, etc.; setting up and operating test apparatus, and manipulating quantitative data.

Experience may include assisting professional employees in such duties as calibrating and operating measuring instruments, mixing solutions, making chemical analyses, setting up and operating test apparatus, and compiling and processing scientific data.

Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited as experience when the work was performed in close association with physical or biological scientists or other technical personnel and provided a good working knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, and techniques.

OR Possess 5 years college study (with 18 hours of graduate level course work or equivalent) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience Definitions of Experience: Field Survey Party - Experience with a field survey party includes activity associated with making and recording geologic, hydrologic, biologic, or topographic field observations; collecting geologic, biological, or water samples for laboratory analysis; applying accepted data collection techniques and methods in the performance of field work in support of scientific investigations; and using a variety of surveying instruments and electronic or mechanical instrumentation in the making and recording of field measurements and observations designed to collect data for physical/ biological science investigations.

Only time actually spent in the field can be credited when qualifying individuals under the field party experience option.

Sub-professional Experience - Sub-professional experience is defined as technical work performed in support of field or laboratory investigations relating to the biological sciences, physical sciences, or closely related disciplines which provided basic knowledge or skills in gathering, recording, and assembling scientific or engineering data; using scientific instruments to measure angles, degrees, weights, strengths, intensities, etc.; setting up and operating test apparatus, and manipulating quantitative data.

Experience may include assisting professional employees with such duties as calibrating and operating measuring instruments mixing solutions, making chemical analyses, setting up and operating test apparatus, and compiling and processing scientific data.

Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited as experience when the work was performed in close association with physical or biological scientists or other technical personnel and provided a good working knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, and techniques.

Professional Experience - Professional work experience in the physical and biological sciences may be credited in lieu of or in conjunction with sub-professional experience as defined above.

Please note that if qualifying based on education; unofficial transcripts MUST be submitted as part of the application in order to receive consideration.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement. Major Duties:

Duration of Appointment: This is a temporary excepted service position not-to-exceed 1 year but may be extended without further competition. Employment may not exceed 1,039 hours in a service year.

All qualified applicants, with or without Federal status may apply and be considered. Appointment to this position, however, will not convey permanent status in the Federal service.

As a Biological Science Technician (Field Assistant) within the National Wildlife Health Center, some of your specific duties will include: Participates in complex studies and investigations concerning biological, chemical, and physical processes that affect ecosystems.

Examines wild animal carcasses or tissues to isolate and identify pathogens and parasites in accordance with established technical and quality management procedures.

Gathers, organizes, and interprets a wide variety of biological, ecological, pathological, public use data or other information pertinent to scientific studies or investigations.

Maintains computer databases.

Provides general husbandry (feed, water, cage cleaning) for a wide variety of laboratory and wild-caught birds, mammals, amphibians/reptiles, and fish in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act and the Public Health Service Guide.

Conducts laboratory, data-dependent or animal care activities and assists to organize daily workloads and provides summaries of work performed in oral and written forms for meetings and reports.

Operates a government motor vehicle as an incidental driver.

Physical Demands: Work is physically demanding and includes walking, bending, climbing, and lifting of equipment up to 100 pounds when in the field, sometimes during adverse conditions.

Work Environment: The work is performed in a laboratory or field environment.

Field work involves moderate or sometimes extreme exposure to the discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, and rapidly running or icy streams and rivers.

Special safety precautions are required in many cases, and the employee may typically wear life jackets, special safety boots, waders, and special organism handling gear.