As a Biological Science Laboratory Technician within the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, you will be responsible for organizing and managing a wide variety of standard techniques in performing diagnostic tests, developmental studies, and training assignments, using appropriate precautions to preserve sample integrity and reagent purity and to prevent cross-contamination. .

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Arranging testing sequences and conducting assays and report results into computerized laboratory information system (LIMS) and appropriate officials. Maintaining accurate records of tests and experimental results. Observing results of tests from immunodiffusion, enzyme immunoassay, immunofluorescence, biochemical bacterial identification, virus titration and more. Performing molecular techniques such as PCR, Western blot, chemical analysis testing, clinical chemistry analysis. Preparing accurate, written reports describing test procedures and results. Conducting bench training for technicians from NVSL laboratories and assists in training courses with demonstrations and brief presentations Managing and disposing chemical and biological hazardous waste generated in the laboratory, following all the appropriate guidelines.

Requirements

• 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 trial period.
• 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. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• If selected for Orient Point, NY, your position will require daily travel to and from either Orient Point, New York and Plum Island, or Old Saybrook, Connecticut and Plum Island aboard Government-provided marine vessels.
• You may be exposed to risks and hazards of harmful biological, chemical and physical agents while working/reaching into incubators, hoods, centrifuges and other automated equipment.
• You may have exposure to disease conditions and agents that would require personal protective equipment/clothing, safeguards and enrollment in a health monitoring program.
• Duties will include changing of clothes before entering the BSL3 space, shower before leaving from containment, standing or sitting for extended periods of time, high noise levels, working with and restraining animals.
• Lifting up to 50 pounds.
• You may have restrictions on contact with birds, sheep, goats, cattle, and swine outside of the laboratory due to potential contamination issues and may be asked to abide by a 5-day Personal Recognizance Quarantine (PRQ)
• Regular duties may involve mandatory participation in rotating overtime work schedules. Periodically, work may require considerable overtime due to a disease outbreak.
• Immunization against diseases being studied which are transmissible to humans may be required.
• Criminal Justice Information Services database check required for work involving Biological Select Agents and Toxins.

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-6 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Performing conventional PCR, real time PCR, ELISA, or virus propagation Preparing media and cell cultures Using laboratory inventory systems and handling biological samples OR One full year of graduate education in biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, or related fields with at least 6 semester hours in microbiology, biology or chemistry. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university 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. 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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: APHIS Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]