Biological Science Technician

Help Help

Requirements

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 E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
  
  

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.

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

Minimum Qualifications

GS-07

Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-07 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-06 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent, assisting in a research experiment related to agricultural, chemical, (eco)toxicological, or environmental science; rearing insects, collecting, or analyzing insect toxicology data; and operating standard scientific equipment.

OR

Education: Successful completion of a 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 Biology, Toxicology (Eco or Food or Human), and Chemistry or another related degree that provided the coursework with an emphasis on agricultural or environmental sciences.

OR

A qualifying combination of graduate education and experience as described above.

GS-08

Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-08 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent, conducting a research experiment related to agricultural, chemical, (eco)toxicological, or environmental science; rearing insects, collecting, or analyzing insect toxicology data; and operating and maintaining standard scientific equipment.

OR

Education: Successful completion of Two full years of graduate-level education or a master's degree, if directly relate to the position. Related degree may include Biology, Toxicology (Eco or Food or Human), and Chemistry or another related degree that provided the coursework with an emphasis on agricultural or environmental sciences.

OR

A qualifying combination of graduate education and experience as described above.

GS-09

Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-09 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-08 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent, conducting a research experiment related to agricultural, chemical, (eco)toxicological, or environmental science; rearing insects, collecting, or analyzing insect toxicology data; operating and maintaining specialized scientific equipment used to analyze chemicals; preparing scientific information to be included in manuscripts or preparing reports; and keeping records and maintaining experimental data.

OR

Education: Successful completion of Two full years of graduate-level education or a master's degree, if directly relate to the position. Related degree may include Biology, Toxicology (Eco or Food or Human), and Chemistry or another related degree that provided the coursework with an emphasis on agricultural or environmental sciences.

OR

A qualifying combination of graduate education and experience as described above.

Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring running, walking, or bending; walking or climbing over rocky areas, through plowed fields or other uneven surfaces, through dense vegetation; climbing ladders to maintain facilities and equipment; and, the ability to carry or lift objects up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working around moving parts or machines; working outdoors with exposure to adverse weather conditions, working in the greenhouse, and working with chemicals and pesticides. Incumbent is required to use protective clothing or gear such as hard hats, masks, Tyvek coveralls, ear plugs, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields to moderate risks, or to follow procedures for minimizing risk.

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.
• Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of job offer.
• 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 be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.
  
  

Read more

• Help 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.