- Position Title
- Biological Science Technician
- Agency
- Agricultural Research Service
- Announcement Number
- ARS-S23Y-11968773-RG Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Friday, May 19, 2023 to Friday, June 2, 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 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.
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.
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-05 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-06 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
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-07 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.
4.
Collects plant, water, or soil samples in a field or laboratory environment.
5.
Possesses knowledge of aquatic, landscape, or wetland ecology for agricultural conservation purposes.
6.
I have experience performing the following functions using scientific instruments related to plant, water, or soil research: (Select all that apply)
7.
I have performed the following functions in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse: (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.
Participates in one or more phases of a research process by performing a variety of technical duties related to biological research in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment.
9.
Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources.
10.
Keeps detailed records of experimental data for biological research.
11.
Adapts, modifies or develops new techniques and/or procedures to satisfy the needs of the research project.
12.
Searches for literature pertinent to area of research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse.
13.
Possesses knowledge of how to enter and retrieve data from geographic information systems (GIS) and/or other information management systems.
14.
Performs routine and recurring techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment.
15.
Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex or specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures in support of plant, water or soil research.
16.
Tabulates and summarizes collected biological and physical data using personal computers and software packages with appropriate quality assurance / quality control (QA/QC).
17.
Initiates action to resolve or correct technical difficulties and results or recommends resolution to supervisor.
18.
I have experience using the following related to plant, water, or soil research: (Select all that apply)
19.
I have had education, training, or experience in operating the following equipment and instruments to perform a task related to biological, physical, or agricultural science: (Select all that apply)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
20.
Knowledge of the piloting, operational, maintenance and/or troubleshooting needs of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, a.k.a. drones).
21.
Skills in development or application of computer coding (e.g., R, Python, Julia).
22.
Ability to organize and prepare equipment and supplies for field and laboratory work.
23.
Ability to monitor and assist in maintenance of field sites, equipment, and instrumentation via repair or replacement of mechanical needs.
24.
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.