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Biological Science Laboratory Technician

Summary

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Subtropical Horticulture Research Station in Miami, Florida.

In this position, you will be conducting an experiment or research project related to plants; using scientific biochemical and molecular techniques in a laboratory setting; and analyzing scientific data related to plant research.


Duties


  • Maintains inventory of chemicals, stock solutions, etc., and prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory.
  • Collects, grows, or preserves plant or seed samples.
  • Actively participates in one or more phases of agricultural research process by performing a variety of technical duties, in a laboratory.
  • Contributes ideas towards the planning and sequencing of the technical aspects of the research.
  • Adapts, modifies or develops new techniques and/or procedures to satisfy the needs of agricultural research project.
  • Keeps detailed records of experimental data.
  • Searches for literature pertinent to agricultural research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory.
  • Interprets and documents findings by preparing information to be included in manuscripts and prepares reports summarizing progress or results of research.
  • Tabulates and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.
  • Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.

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.

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 successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in an experiment or research project related to plants; recording scientific data; and operating laboratory equipment.
OR
Education: One full year of study leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or Bioinformatics.
OR
A combination of specialized experience and graduate level 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 conducting an experiment or research project related to plants; using scientific biochemical and molecular techniques in a laboratory setting; and analyzing scientific data related to plant research.
OR
Education: Two full years of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or Bioinformatics.
OR
A combination of graduate education and specialized experience 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 designing an experiment or research project related to plants; developing scientific biochemical and molecular techniques in a laboratory setting; analyzing scientific data related to plant research; and preparing reports to summarize the research progress and results.
OR
Education: Two full years of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or Bioinformatics.
OR
A combination of specialized experience and graduate level 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.