As a Biological Science Laboratory Technician at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) you will be responsible for organizing and managing a wide variety of standard techniques in performing diagnostic tests, reagent production, developmental studies, and training assignments related to animal pathogens. You will use appropriate precautions to preserve sample integrity and reagent purity and to prevent cross-contamination.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Receives diagnostic specimens for pathogen examination, selects appropriate test/identification procedure, arranges testing sequence, conducts assays and reports results to the appropriate officials. Prepares diagnostic samples for testing, including bacterial culture, whole blood films/slides, entomological (arthropod) mounts, analytical chemistry preparations, histology preparations, inoculation of animals, or collection of animal tissues. Recognizes problems in assignments and procedures, make pertinent observations, draw conclusions, and make suggestions for improvement of diagnostic and developmental procedures. Prepares accurate, written reports describing test procedures and results and summarizes findings on assigned portions of developmental projects. Conducts bench training for technicians from laboratories and assists in training courses with demonstrations and brief presentations. Works as an effective collaborative team member using written and oral communication skills to provide prompt and excellent customer service to internal and external customers. Actively participates in all quality assurance and safety programs by following, and writing Standard Operating Procedures that apply to their work assignments.

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 probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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 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.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
• Work requires manual dexterity, excellent hand-to-hand coordination, and visual acuity to carefully and accurately manipulate and use lab equipment.
• Work involves the risk of exposure to bacteria and prion proteins that are human pathogens as well as toxic, carcinogenic, explosive, and corrosive chemicals.
• Work is performed primarily in a laboratory setting, at desks or computer terminals. Sitting or standing for long periods while operating laboratory equipment may also be required.
• Duties may involve use of safety hoods, personal protective equipment and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Regular duties may involve mandatory participation in rotating overtime work schedules, and import/export or other time-sensitive testing may be required in the evenings, on weekends, and holidays.
• 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 time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-08 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: Performing and interpreting complex assays to identify and type organisms such as culture, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and/or sequencing. Maintaining accurate inventories of infectious pathogens, hazardous chemicals and quality critical supplies. Taking preventative measures to avoid laboratory errors, reporting such events immediately to the supervisor, and recording them in the appropriate electronic records system. Planning, managing, and documenting test workflow and outcomes to ensure efficient use of time and accommodating urgent testing needs as required. OR 2 full years 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-08 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: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]