Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Logo
Position Title
Biological Science Laboratory Technician
Agency
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Announcement Number
DE-12570457-25-PQ Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 to Tuesday, October 29, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
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.
 
 
(limit characters)
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.
 
 
(limit characters)
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?
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Are you a retiree receiving a civilian Federal or FSA County Annuity? (limit characters)
2. Have you ever received a voluntary separation incentive payment (VSIP or buyout) to leave the Federal civilian service or FSA County position? (limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former: Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee? (limit characters)
4. Are you a federal employee receiving a recruitment, relocation, retention and/or other incentive payment? (limit characters)
5. Once a selection is made for this position, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with other hiring managers in the agency who have similar vacancies. Please opt in below if you're willing to have your name, application material, and assessment results shared to be considered for additional, similar positions. There is no guarantee of for further consideration. (limit characters)
Core Questions
1. Has your work schedule been full-time, i.e., 35-40 hours per week, for every position listed on your resume or OF-612?

If yes, please type Yes.
If no, please type No and include the following in your response for all positions held: position title, employer, dates employed (MM/DD/YY), work schedule (i.e., Full-Time (FT), Part-Time (PT), etc.), and hours/week. Please list in order with current/most recent position first.
Failure to provide all requested information may prevent us from giving credit for experience.
(limit characters)
2. I understand for information on the status of my application and the outcome of the application process, I (the applicant) must inquire through USAJOBS. No separate notification will be sent to me. To view the status of my application and the outcome of the application process, I must go to the USAJOBS website and log into My Account. Once in My Account, I must enter the "Application Status" section of the website. (limit characters)
3. I understand submission of supporting documentation, e.g., transcripts, DD 214, 50B, performance appraisal may be required for this position. I also understand that my application will not be considered if the required supporting documentation is not submitted or is not submitted in accordance with the time frames indicated in the announcement. (limit characters)
4. I understand that any correspondence necessary will be conducted via e-mail and sent to the e-mail address I provided in this application process. I must keep this e-mail address current. (limit characters)
5. Do you possess a current driver's license from one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or territories or possessions of the United States?

If you respond yes to this question and you are interviewed, you must be prepared to present your driver's license as confirmation.
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. GS-7 - Choose one answer that best describes your education and experience. (limit characters)
2. I have experience using, maintaining and properly sanitizing the following laboratory 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)
3. Using a computer based laboratory information management system to access/track specimens submitted for testing and enter/retrieve laboratory test results. (limit characters)
4. Preparing samples for laboratory testing/analysis according to written and/or verbal instructions? (limit characters)
5. If you responded yes that you have experience to the previous question, please indicate in the box below where this training and/or experience is represented on your resume. Please list only the relevant position title(s), organization(s), and dates held. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
6. Preparing chemical reagents for use in a scientific laboratory. (limit characters)
7. Performing laboratory support work. (limit characters)
8. I have direct experience and am proficient at performing the following functions using scientific laboratory equipment/instrumentation: (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
9. Using biochemical techniques such as DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), etc. to visualize genetic markers and/or identify organisms (limit characters)
10. I have direct experience and am proficient at performing the following laboratory analyses/procedures: (limit characters)
11. I have direct experience in performing the following functions to improve scientific or technical laboratory procedures, techniques, processes, etc.: (limit characters)
12. If you responded yes that you have experience to the previous question, please indicate in the box below where this training and/or experience is represented on your resume. Please list only the relevant position title(s), organization(s), and dates held. (limit characters)
13. Check each of the following that describes your experience working in a laboratory: (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
14. Using a computer imaging system to capture and store images of biological organisms observed under dissecting and compound microscopes. (limit characters)
15. I am proficient at performing the following tasks concerning the collection of scientific data: (limit characters)
16. Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. (limit characters)