Biological Science Laboratory Technician

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-08 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Performing microbiology and molecular laboratory techniques such as bacterial and viral cell propagation, aseptic culture methods, microbial characterization, cell culture, ELISA, PCR (conventional and real-time), sequencing, and related assays to detect, identify, and characterize pathogens. Conducting in-vivo and in-vitro work for reagent production and diagnostic testing such as producing control serum and antigens, laboratory animal potency evaluations and immunological or cell-based assays in accordance with established standard operating procedures. Maintaining accurate laboratory documentation and compliance by recording test data and/or production records in accordance with quality-assurance requirements, managing inventories of biological materials, chemicals, and critical supplies, and reporting laboratory errors or deviations through appropriate electronic systems. Planning, managing, and communicating laboratory workflow and results by organizing testing activities and/or reagent production tasks, ensuring timely completion of routine and urgent analyses, and preparing clear written summaries or presentations of results in support of team and supervisory needs. OR 2 full years of graduate education in biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, or related fields with at least 6 semester hours in microbiology, biology or chemistry. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation. If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entering on duty. Education must have been obtained from an accredited institution. Education completed in a foreign institution must include an evaluation by an organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs that it was deemed equivalent to an accredited U.S. education program, see: Foreign Education Evaluation. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-08 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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.