This position is a non-supervisory technical position in the Research Service, Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) in Cincinnati, Ohio. The primary purpose of this position is to provided the overall care, safety and well-being of the research animals housed in VMU.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Feeds and waters all animals in accordance with verbal and/or written instructions; prepares special diets as needed. Participates in checking in new animals and setting up initial records. Maintains animals that require specialized care such as aseptic techniques in a pathogen free colony and Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL- 2) housing. Maintains census records by room and investigator. Maintains records for animal care, feeding, treatment, disposal, and environmental monitoring. Maintains orderly and sanitary conditions throughout the VMU. Operates various equipment (cage washer, bottle washer, autoclaves, etc.) correctly. Administers proper medical treatment according to protocol specifications. Humanely and safely restrains animals for research and clinical staff as needed. Perform other duties as assigned. This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-06. At the GS-05 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-06. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. 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. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday - Friday; 6:00 am - 2:30 pm ; Occasional Weekend and Holiday Coverage to support Projects as needed Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required.

Requirements

Qualifications

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as noted below: GS-5: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of Specialized Experience equivalent to at least the GS 4 (next lower grade level) grade level in the federal service. Examples of 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: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. * 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. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. The successful completion of a full course of study of at least 12 months in a school for clinical laboratory technicians may be substituted for the 1 year of specialized experience for positions involving microbiology and biochemistry technician work. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: I have the equivalent combinations of specialized experience and successfully completed graduate education as described above to meet the total qualification requirements to qualify at the GS-5 level. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. GS-6: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level (the next lower grade level) related to the work of the position and is performed in a controlled environment. Examples of specialized experience include: Monitor usage of supplies and notify supervisor so necessary items can be ordered in a timely manner; adhere to all safety and health standards, regulations, work practices and use proper personal protective equipment as required; administer proper medical treatment according to protocol specifications, and humanely and safely restrains animals as needed, 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: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. * 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. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE I have successfully completed six (6) months of graduate education that includes courses directly related to the work of this position (i.e. biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics) that may be substituted for the experience required. Such graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Equivalent combinations of specialized experience and successfully completed graduate education as described above to meet the total qualification requirements to qualify at the GS-6 level. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Administration and ManagementAnimal HusbandryCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Technical 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: Work requires significant physical exertion. Most activity will be walking, but other activities will involve standing for extended periods, considerable bending, climbing of step stools/ladders, and carrying or lifting items weighing more than 50 lbs, which could include larger animals such as sheep, or pigs. Other situations may involve moving heavy equipment such as individually ventilated cage racks, portable machines or cage racks, while using appropriate mechanical assistance (cart, dolly, etc). 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 Cincinnati ORD VISN 10 3200 Vine Street Cincinnatti, OH 45220 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]