Agricultural Research Service Logo
Position Title
Biological Science Technician
Agency
Agricultural Research Service
Announcement Number
ARS-M23Y-11807514-MB Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, January 26, 2023 to Friday, February 3, 2023
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 the position(s) under this announcement.

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.
(limit characters)
1.
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.
 
 
(limit characters)
2. 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?
(limit characters)
3. Are you a current USDA employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment? (limit characters)
4. Are you a USDA employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised? (limit characters)
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-07 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
(limit characters)
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-08 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
(limit characters)
3. 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.
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
4. Collecting, preparing, evaluating, or verifying samples and supporting records.
(limit characters)
5. Maintaining inventory of chemicals.
(limit characters)
6. Preparing solutions or reagents for use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment.
(limit characters)
7. Safely disposing of waste material (both chemical and biological).
(limit characters)
8. Monitoring and collecting data from sensors (such as temperature or CO2 sensors) located in honeybee hives, including deployment and calibration.
(limit characters)
9. I have experience performing beekeeping duties such as the following: (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)
10. Participating in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of technical duties, in a laboratory or field environment, relating to honeybee research.
(limit characters)
11. Maintaining records to locate and compile data from various sources.
(limit characters)
12. Keeping detailed records of experimental data.
(limit characters)
13. Independently initiating action to resolve or correct technical difficulties.
(limit characters)
14. Searching for literature pertinent to honeybees for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory or field.
(limit characters)
15. Utilizing comprehension of field and laboratory experimental design.
(limit characters)
16. Making purchases and keeps financial records.
(limit characters)
17. Determining sample sizes and sampling frequency of field and laboratory experimental designs.
(limit characters)
18. Conducting laboratory experiments using molecular methods
(limit characters)
19. Determining the kinds and frequency of tests and observations made and the amount of data to be recorded.
(limit characters)
20. Interpreting and documents findings by preparing information to be included in manuscripts or preparing reports summarizing progress or results or research.
(limit characters)
21. Performing routine or recurring techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment.
(limit characters)
22. Maintaining, calibrating, or modifying complex/specialized equipment or automated systems used to analyze secondary plant metabolites or molecular markers.
(limit characters)
23. Tabulating, statistically analyzing, or summarizing data using personal computers and software packages.
(limit characters)
24. I have experience installing and maintaining the following: (select all that apply)
(limit characters)
25. 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.
(limit characters)