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Biological Science Lab Technician

Summary

This position is located with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Pacific West Area (PWA),
Western Human Nutrition Research Center in Davis, CA.

The incumbent will perform a variety of technical laboratory duties supporting human nutrition research studies.


Duties

  • Assists in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of technical duties, in a laboratory, common to the assigned area of work.
  • Performs routine and recurring techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment.
  • Maintains, calibrates and modifies equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.
  • Collects, prepares, processes, evaluates, and verifies biospecimens such as blood, urine, saliva, and feces, and supporting records.
  • Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources; maintains sample inventory.
  • Maintains inventory of chemicals, prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).
  • Keeps detailed records of experimental data. Tabulates, statistically analyzes and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.

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 has provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of the position.

Minimum Qualifications for GS-05:
Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-05 grade level includes one year specialized experience at the GS-04 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent, assisting in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of standardized or routine duties in a laboratory setting; performing routine and recurring techniques using a variety of specialized equipment; recording instrument readings, collecting samples, and taking measurements; keeping detailed records of experimental data; tabulating and summarizing data using software packages.
OR
Education: 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with a major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, nutrition, physiology, physics, statistics, and mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to biochemistry, molecular biology or nutrition.
OR
A qualifying combination of graduate education and experience as described above.

Minimum Qualifications for GS-06:
Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-06 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-05 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent, participating in an experiment or research project related to biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or nutrition by performing a variety of technical duties in a laboratory setting; performing routine and recurring techniques using a variety of specialized equipment; maintaining and calibrating equipment and/or automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures; collecting samples and recording instrument readings; keeping detailed records of experimental data, tabulating and summarizing data using software packages.
OR
Education: One full year of graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree that is directly related to the work of the position. Related degrees may include biology, biochemistry, molecular biology or nutrition.
OR
A qualifying combination of graduate education and experience as described 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.


Education


Please see above for education qualification option information.

Control number
728978200