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Student Trainee (Biological Science Laboratory Technician)

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Fields of study for NIH Student Trainees (Bio Science Lab Tech) may include, but are not limited to:

  • Biological Science Technician
  • Health Specialist
  • Public Health Analyst
  • Health Technician

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/15/2019 to 04/15/2019
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$10.95 to - $16.26 per hour
Pay scale & grade
GS 1 - 4
Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Montgomery County, MD
Durham, NC
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Multiple - Temporary Excepted Service Appointment NTE 09-30-2019
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - Part-Time and Full- Time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
NIH-GR-ST-19-10468223
Control number
530167700

Duties

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  • Performing a variety of standard and non-standard tests, examinations, and procedures in support of one or more higher-level technicians/scientists.
  • Performing delicate manipulative work using specially designed tubes, glassware, and equipment.
  • Calibrating, operating, and maintaining laboratory equipment which may include routine preparation and production of reagents, antigens, buffers, vaccines, and/or other biological material.
  • Preparing and maintaining detailed and precise records of experiments.
  • Recording instrument readings and/or takes measurements.
  • Assisting with compilation, justification, and refinement of resulting data.
  • Conducting literature searches of identified topics relevant to the research being done.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be at least 16 years old by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Position subject to a background investigation.
  • Must have obtained and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. GPA is based on current enrollment.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen prior to conversion to a career-conditional appointment.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by June 30, 2019.

Qualifications

To be eligible, you must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program or accepted for enrollment on at least a half-time basis in an accredited educational institution for Spring 2019. These institutions include (but are not limited to):

  • High School
  • College (including 4-year colleges/universities, community college, and junior college)
  • Professional, Technical, Vocational, and Trade School
  • Advanced Degree Program
  • Certificate Program
  • Other qualifying educational institutions
A note about certificate programs: Certificate programs are defined as post-secondary education in a qualifying educational institute and must be equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study. The certificate program must also be a part of an accredited college-level, technical, vocational, trade, or business school curriculum.
  • Applicants must be 16 years of age by the closing date.
  • You must possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. We do not round. GPA is based on current enrollment.
  • This announcement is open to U.S. citizens, non-citizens, national or legal permanent residents.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by June 30, 2019.
To qualify for the GS-1: You must be enrolled in a high school or General Education Diploma (GED) program.

To qualify for the GS-2: You must have completed the requirements for a high school diploma or GED

OR

1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-1 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: operating standard laboratory equipment; and performing basic laboratory procedures such as weighing, measuring liquids, cleaning glassware, sterilization of culture rooms, transfer hoods, glassware instruments, media or similar procedures.

To qualify for the GS-3: You must have completed at least one (1) full year of post high school education

OR

1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-2 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: performing laboratory tests (under close supervision); operating standard laboratory equipment; and performing basic laboratory procedures such as weighing, measuring liquids, cleaning glassware, sterilization of culture rooms, transfer hoods, glassware instruments, media or similar procedures.

To qualify for the GS-4: You must have completed at least two (2) full academic years of post high school study or an associate's degree

OR

1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-03 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: preparing and maintaining detailed and precise records of experiments; maintaining laboratory areas fit for purpose and following established safety procedures; and operating standard laboratory equipment such as autoclave, automatic pipetting machine, centrifuge, homogenizers, pH meters analytical balance, incubator, scintillation counter, spectrophotometer, light microscope, laminar hood flow, or similar instruments; prepares routine slides of tissues.

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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.A combination of education and specialized experience can be used to meet the qualification requirements for this position.

Special Provisions/or Interns with Previous Related Education or Experience: Previous education and/or experience may be evaluated to determine the highest grade level for which the individual is qualified.

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10468223

Education

You must submit a copy of your transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are accepted in the application. Official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer. If you are enrolled for the Fall 2019 semester and do not have a transcript, please provide an acceptance or enrollment letter with your application (e.g. a graduating high school student that is enrolled for a bachelor's degree program for Fall 2019 must provide proof of acceptance).

Applicants who have completed their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization and must provide a copy of the evaluation at the time of application. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

This position is a temporary Student Trainee position with a not-to-exceed (NTE) date of September 30, 2019. Managers will have the option to extend these appointments on a case-by-case basis. Extensions are not guaranteed and are held at the Agency's discretion.

Student Trainees and their supervisors must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement which outlines expectations for the internship prior to entrance on duty.

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 of higher on a 4.0 scale is required throughout the duration of the program.

Students graduating in May or June 2019 and are not enrolled for a new degree-seeking program after graduation will be rated ineligible for this position.

Applicants under 18 years of age will require a work permit prior to appointment.

This announcement can be used to fill a variety of scientific support positions such as: Biological Science Technician (0404), Biological Scientist (0401), Health Physicist (1306), Health Specialist (0601), Health Technician (0640), Laboratory Support (0404), Lab Assistant (0404), Public Health Analyst (0685), and Science Support (0404) .

Non-competitive conversion may be made to either a one-grade or two-grade interval position, depending on the agency's needs. An individual participating in the Student Trainee Program who otherwise meets the Program requirements for conversion (i.e., work hours, satisfactory performance, educational requirements, training completed, etc.) may be converted to a position that has an established career ladder. For a description of the positions listed above, please visit: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/global-recruitment???????.

While conversion is not guaranteed, Student Trainees, with U.S. citizenship, may be converted to a career-conditional appointment (permanent, or to a term position lasting 1-4 years) within 120 days of successful completion of all program requirements as specified by the Pathways Participant Agreement. Student Trainees must work 640 hours prior to graduation in order to be eligible for conversion.

Student Trainees appointed for less than 90 days in duration are generally not eligible for benefits.

Additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement across the NIH.

This position is designated as a "non-emergency/non-teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/non-teleworker" employee.

The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.

The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

How you will be evaluated

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

Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Applications will be evaluated against the basic qualifications.

Veterans' Preference does apply. If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, to verify your preference claim and receive preference you MUST submit supporting documents with your application package. These documents may include, but are not limited to: DD-214 member 4 copy (which indicates character of service), SF-15, VA Letter and/or Activation/Deactivation orders. If you are a veteran, click here for additional information and about required documents.

Selections will be made in preference order. All individuals in the highest preference group must be selected before making selections from the next lower preference eligible group. All preference eligibles must be selected before making selections from the non-preference eligible group.

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