Biologist

Full Job Description

You will provide analytical support for voluntary grading, commodity purchases, and export certification programs on a variety of sample types and agricultural commodities, to determine the acceptability of products in relation to requests, specifications, requirements, and regulations.

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

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the basic requirement above, applicants must also meet the following: FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Using aseptic technique while working in a laboratory setting.

Utilizing analytical testing equipment such as balances, pipets, glassware, etc. in order to proficiently execute testing assays. Working with bacterial cultures, plating, streaking, pipetting, etc.

OR 1 year of graduate-level education in a field of study directly related to the work of this position as described in the vacancy announcement.

OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements.

GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9).

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Perform and conduct various biological, microbiological, serological and/or biochemical tests utilizing the results for identification of bacteria.

Prepare records and reports in support of analyses performed. Perform routine maintenance of the laboratory equipment used in the microbiology section.

OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study directly related to the work of this position as described in the vacancy announcement.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level..

TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education.

You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement.

This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07/09 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. Major Duties:

• 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:
• Responsible for testing samples for microorganisms.
• Performs and conducts various biological, microbiological, serological and biochemical tests .
• Performs tests when assigned such as standard plate count, yeast mold, Staphylococcus, direct microscopic counts and other microorganisms on foods and agricultural commodities.
• Performs routine maintenance of the laboratory equipment used in the microbiology section.
• Performs routine maintenance of the laboratory equipment used in the microbiology section.