Biological Science Technician

Summary

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center in Grand Forks, ND. In this position, you will assist in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of technical duties in a laboratory and field environment.

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. GS-5

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are:

Qualifying experience for GS-05 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-04 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience assisting in one or more phases of the research process in a laboratory setting; and operating common laboratory equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study above the high school level leading to a bachelor’s degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as Biology, Chemistry, Statistics, Entomology, Animal Husbandry, Botany, Physics, Agriculture, or Mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position being filled. Related degrees may include Animal Science, Chemistry, Genetics, Ecology, Agricultural Sciences, Microbiology, or Biology. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. GS-6

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are:

Qualifying experience for GS-06 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience preparing and analyzing research projects related to environmental samples in a laboratory setting; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. OR Education: Successful completion of one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Animal Science, Chemistry, Genetics, Ecology, Agricultural Sciences, Microbiology, or Biology. OR A combination of graduate level education and experience as described above.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Our job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. What we do matters in science and the world. For more information about Agricultural Research Service, go to https://www.ars.usda.gov/.