Job Description

Summary

This position is located in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plains Area (PA), Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit (ABADRU) at the Center for Grain and Animal Health Research in Manhattan, KS.

As a biological science technician, you will perform laboratory techniques to support research on arthropod-borne viruses of livestock and their insect vectors in order to develop innovative and biologically-relevant solutions for arthropod-borne disease problems.

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Duties

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• Participates in the generation and processing of laboratory samples using standard operating protocols, including quantification of infectious virus, RNA/DNA, and/or protein.
• Works safely in BSL2 and arthropod BSL2 laboratory settings with BSL2 pathogens, live insects, cell cultures, and embryonated chicken eggs.
• Independently develops, designs, and implements various aspects of research projects on the basis of overall objectives outlined by the supervisor.
• Prepares accurate, written reports describing test procedures and results; summarizes findings for manuscripts, reports, and presentations.
• Develops various procedures, devises new or improved methods or designs specialized equipment.
• Prepares laboratory reagents and supplies for virology, entomology, molecular biology, and tissue culture procedures.
• Assists in the maintenance and management of laboratory spaces.
• Maintains complete and accurate records.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• 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 .
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable. During this time your employment will be evaluated, and we may consider: your performance and conduct, the needs and interests of the agency, whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government, and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

GS-07

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in a research project in a laboratory setting; collecting, preparing, and evaluating samples; and operating and maintaining laboratory equipment used for laboratory studies.

OR

Education: Successful completion of at least one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a masters' or equivalent graduate degree, related degrees may include Biology, Animal Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Entomology, and Virology.

OR

An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated above.

GS-08

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-08 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in a research project related to infectious pathogens, animals, livestock or insects; collecting, preparing, and evaluating samples related to infectious pathogens, animals, livestock or insects; and operating and maintaining research equipment used to analyze DNA or RNA or cell cultures.

OR

Education: Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a masters' or equivalent graduate degree, related degrees may include Biology, Animal Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Entomology, and Virology.

OR

An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated above.

GS-09

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-08 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience calibrating complex equipment for infectious pathogens, animals, livestock or insects related research projects; summarizing research data for reports; and selecting the appropriate methods or procedures for carrying out research projects involving animal tissue cultures.

OR

Education: Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a masters' or equivalent graduate degree, related degrees may include Biology, Animal Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Entomology, and Virology.

OR

An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated above.

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.

Additional information

• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
• Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.
• If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
• This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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