Agricultural Research Service Logo
Position Title
Biological Science Technician
Agency
Agricultural Research Service
Announcement Number
ARS-S24Y-12427780-KP Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 to Tuesday, June 11, 2024
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)
2. Would you accept a term appointment? (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)
4. I have experience performing the following functions with food, agricultural, or environmental samples: (Select all that apply): (limit characters)
5. I have experience performing the following analytical chemistry techniques: (Select all that apply): (limit characters)
6. I have experience performing the following functions in support of research related to food science: (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)
7. Provide input into the initial planning of experiments. (limit characters)
8. Contribute to the planning of various steps in experiment or project and to interpretation and documentation of findings. (limit characters)
9. Participate in one or more phases of a research process related to food science by performing a variety of complex technical duties, in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment, common to the assigned area of work.
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10. Contribute ideas towards the planning and sequencing of technical aspects of a research project related to plants or crops.
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11. Maintain records and locate and compile data and other information from various sources.
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12. Keep detailed records of experimental data.
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13. Search for literature pertinent to the research project for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse. (limit characters)
14. Select appropriate methods and procedures for carrying the project plan to completion. (limit characters)
15. Perform the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment.
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16. Initiate action to resolve or correct technical difficulties and results or recommend resolution to supervisor.
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17. Maintain, calibrate, and modify complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.
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18. Tabulate, statistically analyze, and summarize data using personal computers and software packages.
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19. Develops various procedures, devises new or improved methods, or designs specialized equipment. (limit characters)
20. Operate and maintain a variety of highly specialized complex equipment which must be calibrated and synchronized to achieve desired results. (limit characters)
21. 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)