Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Recent Graduate)

Summary

This position is located at the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Midwest Area (MWA), US Dairy Forge Research Center, Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research Unit in Marshfield, Wisconsin.

As a Biological Science Laboratory Technicians, you will apply conventional and administrative solutions and practices to a variety of problems and be involved in almost all phases of science studies involving dairy and agronomy sciences.

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Duties

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• Participates as a team member with the scientist in all phases of the research process and assumes full technical and operational responsibility for specific phases of the research.
• Independently develops or designs various aspects of research projects on the basis of overall objectives outlined by the supervisor.
• Contributes to the planning of various steps in experiment or project and to interpretation and documentation of findings.
• Selects appropriate methods and procedures for carrying the project plan to completion.
• Operates and maintains a variety of highly specialized complex equipment which must be calibrated and synchronized to achieve desired results.
• Develops various procedures, devises new or improved methods or designs specialized equipment.
• Performs highly complex techniques with unusual skill.
• Determines the kinds and frequency of tests, observations, etc., to be made and the amount of data to be recorded.
• Interprets and documents findings by preparing information to be included in manuscripts or preparing reports.
• Keeps exact, detailed records of experimental data. Tabulates, statistically analyzes and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.
• Searches for literature pertinent to area of research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or dairy barn.
• Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies samples and supporting records. Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources.
• Maintains inventory of chemicals, prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory, field, or dairy barn, and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).

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.
• Satisfactory 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
• Successful completion of one-year trial period.

Qualifications

To be eligible, applicants must meet one of the following requirements;

Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two (2) years.

OR

Individuals who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon release or discharge from active duty. This eligibility period cannot extend more than 6 years from the date on which the requirements for the academic course of study were met.

AND

In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements above, applicants must possess the experience requirements as follows:

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-7:

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 successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in a research project related to animal science or agronomy; compiling research data for reports; and maintaining equipment used for test and evaluation procedures.

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 agronomy, dairy science and animal science.

OR

A combination of specialized experience and education as described above.

GS-8:

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 successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in one or more research phases involving sample collection, maintenance, and measurement; and operating or modifying laboratory, field, or dairy cattle biological sample equipment.

OR

Education: Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include agronomy, dairy science and animal science.

OR

A combination of specialized experience and education as described above.

GS-9:

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 successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in all research phases and assuming operational responsibility for designated phases of the study; developing, devising, or improving research methods; and operating or modifying specialized laboratory, field, or dairy cattle biological sample equipment.

OR

Education: Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include agronomy, dairy science and animal science.

OR

A combination of specialized experience and education 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 requirement information.

Additional information

• Recent Graduate appointments are intended to last for 1 year. Recent Graduates who satisfactorily complete all the USDA Recent Graduates Program requirements may be non-competitively converted to a Term or Permanent appointment in the competitive service. Conversion is not guaranteed. Recent Graduates converted to Term appointments may later be non-competitively converted to a Permanent competitive service position.
• 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.
• This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit Agreement. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• 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. ()

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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.