Biological Science Technician (Animal)

Summary

Several positions will be filled at several different non-BSL (Bio-Safety Laboratory) locations within the Agricultural Research Service and will perform a variety of routine, standardized tests, procedures, routines, or operations in support of animal research projects, animal husbandry, and animal care.

Duties

Help

• Duties listed represent the full performance level of the position.
• Monitors the health of the animals (sheep, cattle, horses, dogs, mice, rats, aquatic species, etc.)
• Assists with delivering diets to the animal(s) identified.
• Assists in one or more phases of the research or operational processes by performing a variety of standardized or routine duties.
• Keeps detailed records of experimental data as it relates to animal feeding, health, and performance.
• Records instrument readings, collects samples, and takes measurements.
• Maintains inventory of all animal feeds, supplements, and additives; plant materials (seeds), fertilizers, and herbicides; and any chemicals relevant to the assigned work equipment/area.

Requirements

Help

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.
• 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 .
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's License required within 6 months of hire.

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

Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and which provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

GS-05:

Experience: Qualifying experience for the GS-05 level of this position is one-year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level or its non-federal equivalent, maintaining inventory of all animal feeds, supplements, and additives; maintaining, calibrating or modifying equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures and participating in animal or aquatic species research project.

OR

Education: A full 4-year course of study above the high school level 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. Related courses may include animal sciences, animal feeding and nutrition, animal management, animal production, or meat sciences.

OR

An appropriate combination of education and experience as described above. GS-06:

Experience: Qualifying experience for the GS-06 level of this position is one-year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level or its non-federal equivalent, maintaining inventory of all animal feeds, supplements, and additives; maintaining, calibrating or modifying equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures and collecting samples, maintaining records, compiling data and other information from various sources, and participated in animal or aquatic species research project.

OR

Education: Successful completion of One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include animal sciences, animal feeding and nutrition, animal management, animal production, or meat sciences.

OR

An appropriate combination of education and experience as described above. ???????

SEVERAL LOCATIONS HAVE THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENT:

This is an essential/emergency (exigency) position. The incumbent is required to report for duty during emergencies, critical periods, or during times when there is Government closure due to inclement weather or budget cut-off.

If you have applied to a location with the requirement identified above, it will be discussed with you during the interview process.

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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.
• Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).
• Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.
• For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website.
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Refer to PUBLIC LAW 114-47-AUG. 7, 2015 for more information.
• This position is being concurrently announced under Delegated Examining Announcement Number ARS-S25TAB-[click to reveal phone number]12795233-MDS. This announcement is open to all qualified candidates. Applying to both announcements may expand the possibilities of consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement. See the above announcement for more information.
• 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.
• Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

Expand Hide additional information

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

Help

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.