Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Animals) at Clay Center

JOB SUMMARY:

Find Solutions to Agricultural Problems that Affect Americans Every Day, From Field to Table

The Meat Safety and Quality Research Unit located in Clay Center, Nebraska is seeking a permanent, full-time, Biological Science Laboratory Technician to provide technical assistance to a Research Food Technologist to support the objectives of the unit to increase efficiency of lean meat production, to develop technology to sort meat products for quality traits, and to improve eating quality of meat. This position requires field work. This position will be assisting researchers in conducting studies and experiments on food-producing animals. Experiments will be conducted to support the objectives of developing technology to sort meat products for quality traits and to improve the eating quality and safety of meat. A thorough understanding of conducting biological research, field work, and the ability to use research equipment are necessary to these positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service

DUTIES:Back to top

At the full performance level of the position, incumbents for these positions perform a variety of duties in the following areas:

• Actively participates in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties, in a laboratory or field environment, common to the assigned area of work, and contributes ideas towards the planning and sequencing of the technical aspects of the research.
• Adapts, modifies or develops new techniques and/or procedures to satisfy the needs of the research project.
• Performs the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment.
• Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.
• Independently initiates action to resolve or correct technical difficulties and results, or recommends resolution to supervisor.
• Searches for literature pertinent to area of research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory or field.
• Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies samples and supporting records.
• Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources.
• Keeps detailed records of experimental data.
• Tabulates, statistically analyzes and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.
• Maintains inventory of chemicals, stock solutions, etc., prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory or field, and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top

Minimum Qualifications:

GS-5: Must have at least one full-time year (12-months) of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized work experience is defined as: conducting meat quality and safety research, assays, and techniques such as shear force, RNA and DNA extraction, colorimeter, processing animal tissues from swine, cattle, and sheep, and conducting bacterial enrichment and identification; assisting in maintaining, calibrating, and modifying equipment used for testing livestock such as swine, cattle, and sheep; and keeping records of experimental data.
OR

Must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelors degree with a major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as animal science, food science, environmental science, biology, chemistry, statistics, physics, mathematics or other closely related field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities required by this position. At least 6 semester hours of courses were directly related to the study of animals. Note: One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university.
OR

Must have a combination of the specialized experience as described above and the education as described above such that when the two are added, they equal at least 100%. To determine your combination, first compute your experience as a percentage of the experience listed above; then determine your education as a percentage of the education listed above; then add the two percentages. Note: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelors degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements.

GS-6: Must have at least one full-time year (12-months) of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized work experience is defined as: conducting meat quality and safety research, assays, and techniques such as shear force, RNA and DNA extraction, colorimeter, processing animal tissues from swine, cattle, and sheep, and conducting bacterial enrichment and identification; assisting in maintaining, calibrating, and modifying equipment used for animal testing; and maintaining inventory of chemicals, preparing solutions for use in the laboratory or field, and safely disposing of waste material.
OR

Must have half a year of graduate level education (9 semester hours) in animal science, food science, environmental science, biology, chemistry, statistics, physics, mathematics or other closely related field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities required by this position. At least 6 semester hours of courses were directly related to the study of animals. Note: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study.
OR

Must have a combination of the specialized experience as described above and the education as described above such that when the two are added, they equal at least 100%. To determine your combination, first compute your experience as a percentage of the experience listed above; then determine your education as a percentage of the education listed above; then add the two percentages.

Time-in-grade restrictions apply for all candidates considered under merit promotion procedures: One year or 52-weeks at the GS-4 level is required for the GS-5.  One year or 52-weeks at the GS-5 level is required for the GS-6. (MUST SUBMIT AN SF-50 THAT SHOWS TIME-IN-GRADE ELIGIBILITY AS SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION)

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application will be evaluated and rated under Category Rating Procedures.  Qualified candidates will be placed for selection consideration into three categories:  Best Qualified, Well Qualified or Qualified.  Within these categories, applicants eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans.  Your resume will be reviewed and compared against your responses to the online questionnaire.  We strongly encourage you to answer every question that accompanies this vacancy, as your responses will better highlight your specific qualifications. 

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of animals and biological research.
• Skill with research techniques, procedures, and experiments.
• Ability to adapt, develop or improve research techniques and procedures.
• Ability to obtain, tabulate, statistically analyze, and summarize research data.

 

Please note that your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the assessment questionnaire.  High self-assessment in the applicant questions that is not supported by information in your resume may eliminate you from best-qualified status and subsequent referral to the selecting official.

Displaced/Surplus Employees:  Individuals eligible under the USDA Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection.  CTAP and ICTAP eligibles within the local commuting area will be considered well qualified if the applicant meets the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors, and is rated in the Well Qualified Category as described in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. Employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent performance rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.  Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.  CLICK HERE for additional information on CTAP and ICTAP.

Country: USA, State: Nebraska, City: Clay Center, Company: Agricultural Research Service.