Agricultural Research Service Logo
Position Title
Biological Science Laboratory Technician
Agency
Agricultural Research Service
Announcement Number
ARS-S23Y-11744905-BS Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, December 1, 2022 to Wednesday, December 14, 2022
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. Your answers will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will be considered under the eligibility option(s) to which you answer YES. Select YES to all eligibility options for which you want to be considered. If you respond NO to meeting the criteria for all the eligibilities, you will not be considered for those eligibilities.

NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.
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1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
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.
 
 
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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.
 
 
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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?
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Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
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. (limit characters)
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.
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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.
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Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
3. Prepare solutions and reagents for use in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse.
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4. Safely dispose of chemical and biological waste.
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5. Initiate action to resolve or correct technical issues in a laboratory environment.
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6. I have experience performing the following duties as they relate to plant research samples: (Select all that apply)
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Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
7. Contribute to the planning and interpretation of experiments and findings. (limit characters)
8. Collect, prepare, evaluate and verify plant samples and supporting records. (limit characters)
9. Keep detailed records of experimental plant or microbial research data.
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10. Participate in one or more phases of a research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties related to a plant or microbial research project.
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11. Search for literature for new procedures or techniques pertinent to plant or microbial research.
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12. Maintain records, locate, and compile data and other information from various sources.
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13. Assume full technical and operational responsibility for specific phases of research. (limit characters)
14. Determine frequency of tests and observations. (limit characters)
15. Prepare summary reports and information to be included in manuscripts. (limit characters)
16. Develop or design various aspects of plant and microbial research projects. (limit characters)
17. Tabulate, analyze and summarize data using personal computers and software packages.
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18. Perform routine and recurring techniques using a variety of specialized equipment.
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19. Calibrate and modify equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures in plant or microbial research.
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20. I have experience performing the following as the relate to plant or microbial research techniques and procedures: (Select all that apply)
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21. I have experience performing the following with highly specialized equipment: (Select all that apply) (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
22. Select appropriate methods and procedures for carrying the project plan to completion. (limit characters)
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.
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