The employee will serve as a Biological Science Laboratory Technician in the VA Central Biorepository (VACB) which is part of the Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC). The position is located in Boston, Massachusetts.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (not-to-exceed 4 years). Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration (more than 1 year but not more than 4). Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition (up to the 4-year maximum). The appointment to a Term position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment. The Biological Science Laboratory Technician will perform experiments to achieve the required objectives of the research program. Duties include but may not be limited to: Processes samples of blood, tissue, organ, or other body fluids or substances according to standard operating procedures. Ensures samples are processed according to the correct on-going study protocols to ensure the quality of the specimen. Maintains responsibility for the accuracy of the results and for the adequacy of the results in furthering the professional clinical or research objectives. Performs data analysis including arithmetic calculations, algebra, graphing of data using interactive computer programs. Prepares reports, presentations, figures etc. associated with the studies. Programs equipment used for blood processing, DNA extraction and DNA normalization. Maintains and controls laboratory records. Develops and maintains detailed records of all experimental or other protocols, and ensures results are neatly kept and catalogued in appropriate format. Maintains laboratory equipment and supplies used, proper records of research data, and assists the supervisor in performing data analysis. Calibrates and maintains laboratory instrumentations at timely intervals so as to minimize breakdown and delay of procedures. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. This position requires some evening and Saturday shifts. To be discussed during the interview process. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for this position: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of this position. Qualifying Experience must have been related to the work of the position. The specialized experience required for some positions in this series is normally work performed in a controlled environment. Examples of qualifying specialized experience includes Research activity or control program work; Nursery work that required the growing and maintenance of plants in a controlled environment; Work comparable to that with a large dairy farm where production records, animal environment, and sanitary conditions were kept in accordance with modern dairy practice. NOTE: Farming experience that was not performed in a controlled environment, or experience as a laborer who was not responsible for planning and scheduling his/her own work, but only performed assigned tasks, would not qualify as specialized experience. In addition, applicants must also possess the following specialized experience: working in a research laboratory; collecting specimens and samples; and maintaining research records and files. (Resume(s) must clearly support the required experience to be creditable.) -OR- SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Successful completion of at least one (1) year of graduate education in a field of study directly related to the work of this position. (Copies of transcripts required with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.) -OR- COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. Only graduate education above 6 months will be creditable. (Copies of transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Resume must clearly support the required experience to be creditable.) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Biomedical Equipment TechnologyInformation Technology Research and DevelopmentQuality AssuranceTechnical Competence IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking, bending, or climbing scaffolds to add or remove specimens from cryo-tanks. Must be able to handle cryogenic materials with proper protective equipment including lifting 50 lb. blocks of dry and 20 lb. racks containing specimens from cryo-tanks and freezers. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. In other situations, such as in a laboratory, there are special requirements tor agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination in order to carry out the work. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address Boston ORD VISN 1 JFK Federal Building, 15 New Sudbury St Boston, MA 02203-9928 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]