Biological Science Technician

Summary This position is located within the Imported Fire Ants & Household Insects Research Unit for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in Gainsville, FL. In this position, you will be responsible for conducting biological research in laboratory and field environments using ants and microbes, recording and analyzing scientific data, and preparing scientific information to be included in manuscripts or preparing reports. Responsibilities Maintains inventory of molecular reagents, culture media, chemicals, stock solutions, etc. Performs DNA extractions from insects, soil, microorganisms and PCR reactions. Cultures, isolates and characterizes microbes from insects, soil, or any other type of biological sample. Assures that the laboratory is adhering to safety and biosafety policies. Prepares reports summarizing progress or results of research and documents findings by preparing information to be included in manuscripts. Keeps detailed records of experimental data and analyzes scientific data using bioinformatic software packages. Maintains fire ant colonies and handles ants during experiments and field collections. Maintains, calibrates, and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation of biological procedures. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. GS-07 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 perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience collecting or analyzing biological samples (i.e., soil, plants, or water); statistically analyzing and summarizing data; and operating laboratory equipment used for molecular biology or microbiological procedures. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a masters or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Genetics, Genomics, Plant Pathology, Entomology, or Biology. OR A combination of education and specialized experience as described above. GS-08 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 perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in one or more phases of an insect, microbiological or molecular biology research process; collecting and analyzing insect, microorganism, or other biological samples; operating, maintaining, calibrating, or modifying specialized equipment; and preparing scientific data to be included in manuscripts or reports. OR Education: Two full years of graduate level education or a Masters degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Genetics, Genomics, Plant Pathology, Entomology, or Biology. OR A combination of education and specialized experience as described above. GS-09 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 perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience setting up and conducting an experiment or research project related to entomology or microbiology; collecting, preparing, and evaluating biological samples for sequencing and supporting records; and summarizing research results for preparation in scientific reports or manuscripts. OR Education: Two full years of graduate level education or a Masters degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Genetics, Genomics, Plant Pathology, Entomology, or Biology. OR A combination of education and specialized 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. Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking or bending. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a work day) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. In other situations, there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination. Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working with contagious diseases or irritant chemicals or working outdoors. The employee is required to use protective clothing such as gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement 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. 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. This position is designated as a bargaining unit position and is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).