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Laboratory Worker

Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Summary

If selected, you will be responsible for providing support in laboratory setting focused on New World Screwworm (NWS) activities.


Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/06/2026 to 03/12/2026
Salary
$23.56 to - $27.53 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 4
Location
5 vacancies in the following location:
Edinburg, TX
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - 13 months
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
4
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DE-12901212-26-VS
Control number
859778000

Duties

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  • The duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Assemble, disassemble, clean and reassemble various instruments and equipment of varying complexity.
  • Provides the necessary equipment for each laboratory test.
  • Prepares routine statistical reports for the Technical Operations Supervisor and the Dispersal Center Manager.
  • Maintains a quarterly inventory of departmental equipment and tracks weekly consumption.
  • Orders supplies, materials, and other items.
  • Performs quality assurance tests and record-keeping including daily, quarterly and annual calibration checks on critical equipment.
  • Complies with instructions, policies, and procedures related to safety precautions in the work area.

Requirements

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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 https://www.e-verify.gov/
  • In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
  • 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.
  • Laboratory workers frequently lift and carry objects weighing from 10 to 30 pounds.
  • Occasionally handles moderately heavy objects weighing up to 50 pounds such as large containers of supplies.
  • The work requires continuous walking, standing, or sitting and considerable arm and hand movements to operate equipment and do preparation work.
  • Work is performed in a kitchen type atmosphere where there is a possibility of scalds, burns, disagreeable odors, hazard of infection and frequent fluctuation in temperature due to steam and heat.
  • Incumbent may be subject to cuts, bruises and burns from broken glassware, detergents, hot water, and steam.
  • The temperature is usually 15 degrees and higher above normal and humidity is high. Floors may be damp and slippery.
  • Special safety precautions are required and the incumbent uses protective gear such as laboratory coats, safety aprons, different types of gloves, safety glasses, and goggles.

Qualifications

To qualify, you must show you have had training and experience of sufficient scope and quality to provide you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Your answers to the vacancy specific questions must be supported by the work experience in your resume. For example, if you respond in the affirmative when questioned whether you have experience maintaining the cleanliness and sanitation of a warehouse or similar facility, your resume must include this experience, mindful that experience may not be inferred by job title.

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.
  • 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.
  • This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months. (Appointment may be extended up to 4 years without reannouncing). For more details click: Term Appointments

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.

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:

  • Ability to perform laboratory support work without more than normal supervision
  • Work practices (includes keeping things neat, clean, and in order)


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.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12901212

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