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Biological Science Technician

Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in ARS; Field Organization; Northern Plains Area; Agricultural Research Laboratory.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
10/03/2019 to 10/30/2019
Salary
$42,053 to - $54,670 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Sidney, MT
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
9
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
DE-10602534-19-PB
Control number
547615100

Duties

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  • Participate 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.
  • Interprets and documents findings by preparing information to be included in manuscripts or preparing reports summarizing progress or results of research.
  • Contributes to the planning of various steps in experiment or project and to interpretation and documentation of findings.
  • Retain detailed records of experimental data which involves arranging, analyzing, and summarizing data using personal computers and software packages.

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
  • 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/
  • Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., walk rapidly over uneven terrain, and work outdoors in variable weather conditions.

Qualifications

Qualifications

GS-07: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following: Under close supervision, using and applying extensive practical knowledge of biological science of research conducted to layout, schedule, organize, and execute the details of either: (1) a wide variety of types of limited operational projects; and/or (2) one-at-a-time (and often long range) multi-phased projects, at least some of which have nonstandard technical problems that must be coordinated with others. Must also have experience in field research working with insects and/or plants and a solid working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word. Experience or coursework using GIS and R and with rearing organisms (insects or plants) is preferred but not required.

OR Substitution of Education: Successful completion of at least one (1) full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university in a field directly related to the work of the position such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. You must include transcripts.

OR Combination: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond six (6) months (9 semester hours) by 18. Then take the number of months of full time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Note: Only graduate education in excess of the first six (6) months (9 semester hours) is creditable toward meeting the experience requirement when combining experience and education.) You must include transcripts. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

  • Research
  • Technical Competence
  • Technology Application


Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.

To view the application form, visit:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10602534

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