- Position Title
- Biological Science Laboratory Technician
- Agency
- Agricultural Research Service
- Announcement Number
- ARS-S20Y-10726302-ABS Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Tuesday, March 10, 2020 to Monday, March 23, 2020
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
4.
Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below:
• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
Your responses to the questions below will be used in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Your resume and application materials must support the level of experience and/or education you claim in this questionnaire. If, after a complete review of your application package, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible for this position.
1.
From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-08 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
2.
From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-09 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
3.
Maintain inventory of chemicals and supplies for laboratory and field experiments, and prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory.
4.
Safely handles chemicals and properly disposes of waste chemicals and biological materials.
5.
Conduct laboratory experiments, field plot studies, and collects samples in watersheds to determine the occurrence, fate and transport of agriculturally-important pollutants.
6.
Evaluate the effectiveness of management practices and mitigation procedures to protect the quality and quantity of natural resources (water and soil).
7.
I have collected, prepared, evaluated and verified the following samples. (Select all that apply)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
8.
Independently initiates action to resolve or correct technical difficulties with equipment and discrepancies with data in the experimental process and recommends resolution to supervisor.
9.
Participate in the research process in assisting with selection of proper methods and procedures according to the experimental design.
10.
Search scientific literature for established methods to meet assignment objectives and develops standard operating procedures for use by others.
11.
Adapt, modify or develop new methods to ensure that goals of the experiments are achieved.
12.
Search scientific literature, trade literature and other sources for information on new techniques, technologies, instruments or software that will enhance or expand research projects.
13.
Interpret and documents findings by preparing information to be included in manuscripts or preparing reports summarizing progress or results of research.
14.
Maintain, calibrates, operates and orders supplies for complex/specialized analytical and extraction equipment and automated-samplers, sensors and data loggers.
15.
Keep accurate and detailed records of experiments: Records experimental conditions, observations, details of sample collection and processing, calculations and spectral results..
16.
Enter data into spreadsheets, performs further calculations, statistically analyzes and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.
17.
I have performed chemical analyses using sophisticated chromatographic instruments with mass spectrometry detection or other detectors in support of a research study or job activity: (Select all that apply)
18.
I have used the following field equipment in support of a research study or job activity: (Select all that apply)
19.
I have performed the following types of extractions of compounds of interest from environmental samples: (Select all that apply)
20.
I am able to work in the following environments: (Select all that apply)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
21.
Select appropriate methods and procedures for carrying the project plan to completion.
22.
Develop various procedures, devises new or improved methods or designs specialized equipment.
23.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.