Biological Science Laboratory Technician

US-Agricultural-Research-Servic; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US National Poultry Research Center in Athens, Georgia, invites applications for several research technician positions at the Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit and the Endemic Poultry Viral Diseases Unit.

The incumbents will assist with laboratory work on fungal toxins or poultry viruses, handle poultry, inject and collect samples, and perform common lab techniques under supervision.

Job description

Three positions are available at the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US National Poultry Research Center, Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit, and Endemic Poultry Viral Diseases Unit, in Athens, Georgia.

In this position, you will work with scientists to find solutions to poultry health challenges, including either fungal toxins, or endemic poultry viruses. You will handle poultry, inject and collect samples, in addition to various lab techniques. 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-05

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 higher level technicians 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 courses may include biology, microbiology, molecular biology, poultry science, dairy science, animal science, or infectious disease.

OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above.

GS-06

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 equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience analyzing microbiological samples in a laboratory environment; assisting with handling poultry, cattle, swine or laboratory rodents; compiling and summarizing data from experiments; and operating laboratory equipment.

OR Education: 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 biology, microbiology, molecular biology, poultry science, dairy science, animal science, or infectious disease.

OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above.

GS-07

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-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 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 analyzing microbiological samples in a laboratory environment; assisting with preparation of poultry samples for advanced analysis; and operating and maintaining laboratory equipment.

OR Education: 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 biology, microbiology, molecular biology, poultry science, dairy science, animal science, or infectious disease.

OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above.

GS-08

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-08 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in a microbiological research project related to poultry; handling poultry, cattle, swine or laboratory rodents; analyzing and summarizing results of scientific research data; and operating laboratory equipment or instruments.

OR Education: Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include biology, microbiology, molecular biology, poultry science, dairy science, animal science, or infectious disease.

OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above.

GS-09

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-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-08 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 leading the handling poultry, cattle, swine or laboratory rodents; conducting a microbiological research project related to poultry; collecting and evaluating virus samples from poultry; and performing cell culture techniques on virus samples collected from poultry.

OR Education: Two full years of graduate level education or a master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include biology, microbiology, molecular biology, poultry science, dairy science, animal science, or infectious disease.

OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above.

Other Considerations:

• The incumbent must follow instructions regarding decontamination from biocontainment.
• The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working with contagious diseases or irritant chemical or working outdoors.
• The incumbent is required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks or respirators, eye and ear protection, boots, gloves, and coverall are when providing care to animals that represent a potential source of zoonotic disease or other biohazard. PPE provides necessary protection against biological and chemical hazards but may increase risk of accidents due to decreased vision, hampered communication, and limited mobility and dexterity.
• The incumbent must shower out of containment and biocontainment one or more times a day; must not have any skin condition which would prevent the showering; must be able to remove body piercings prior to entry into containment and biocontainment; and must be able to remove external medical assist devices prior to entering or not impede the ability to enter containment or biocontainment.
• Participation in Occupational Medical Surveillance Program.

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.