Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Microbiology)

Summary

As a Biological Science Laboratory Technician, you will organize and manage a wide variety of standard techniques in performing diagnostic tests, reagent production, developmental studies, and training assignments related to animal pathogens having significant economic importance to the livestock industry.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Receives diagnostic specimens for pathogen examination, reads history or specific requests of field personnel, selects appropriate test or identification procedure.
• Prepare diagnostic reagents which include bacterial culture, histology preparations, entomology preparation, inoculation of cell cultures, animals, and embryonating chicken eggs.
• Following a standard outline plans working details, makes measurements, and observes results of tests.
• Assumes responsibility for conducting sections of developmental projects.
• Takes references such as laboratory protocols, journal articles, or rough outlines from a professional and conducts virologic, bacteriological, parasitological, pathological or chemical techniques.
• Recognizes problems in assignments and procedures, make pertinent observations, draw conclusions, and make suggestions for improvement.
• Prepares accurate, written reports describing test procedures and results and summarizes findings.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male 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. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• 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
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
• Must apply strict safety regulations to prevent the escape of pathogens from the laboratory which may include restrictions on contact with birds, sheep, goats, cattle, and swine outside of the laboratory.
• Periodically, the diagnostic workload during a disease outbreak may require considerable overtime.
• Immunization against diseases being studied which are transmissible to humans may be required.
• Criminal Justice Information Services database check required for work involving Biological Select Agents and Toxins.
• A SECRET clearance is required if selected for the Manhattan, KS location.

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.

FOR THE GS-05 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Using basic word-processing and database software
• Maintaining a safe laboratory environment for self and colleagues.
• Using laboratory practices including how to make buffers and maintaining a sterile workspace.
• Following specific and detailed directions to perform repetitive tasks with accountability for results.

OR

Education: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics or related fields, with at least 6 semester hours in microbiology, biology or chemistry.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required if:

• You are qualifying for the position based on education.
• You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
• This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-05 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

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 information.

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.
• First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
• Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.
• Promotion Potential: 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.
• 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 here.
• Using laboratory equipment including computers in a sitting position for two consecutive hours is required.
• Work in biosafety level 3 facilities may require long periods of working in containment and up to 70% of time in a Class II or Class III biosafety cabinet.
• The physical demands may include walking, standing, bending, reaching and pushing and lifting up to 50 pounds, sometimes in personal protective equipment (PPE) that can be hot and/or heavy, restrict breathing efficiency, or impair range of vision.
• There is a high noise level due to the air exhaust system (no recirculated air) and laboratory equipment used almost continuously such as centrifuges and freezers. Protective devices such as face masks and latex/nitrile gloves are used.

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.

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.