Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Animal)

Veterans Health Administration

Charleston (SC)

On-site

USD 45,000 - 59,000

Part time

4 days ago

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Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration in Charleston, SC seeks a Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Animal) to assist in VA-funded research, handling animals and supporting molecular and cellular biology work.

The role features a multi-grade ladder (GS-6/GS-7) with duties including animal care, record-keeping, and specimen collection in a laboratory environment. Term appointment options and non-permanent staffing considerations apply.

Qualifications

A transcript must be submitted with your application.
Education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.
If using foreign education, submit a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript.

Responsibilities

Feeds and waters all animals daily and follows dietary instructions.
Weans and sexes animals in breeding colonies and assigns appropriate cages.
Maintains animals and colonies with aseptic techniques in a pathogen-free environment.
Cleans cages, racks, pans, and floors; operates cage and bottle washers and autoclaves as instructed.
Administers medical treatment per protocol; restrains animals for staff as needed.
Collects specimens (blood, urine, tissues) for analysis; prepares animals for procedures including anesthesia when requested.
Maintains complete records of animal care and treatment; assists with post-procedure tasks as needed.

Job description

Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Animal)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This position is located in the Research and Development Service at Charleston VAMC in Charleston, SC. This position serves to assist in VA funded research performing work involving laboratory techniques used in studying cells, genes and tissues, and includes work involved in animals and work involving molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry.

Key Responsibilities

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-7. At the GS-6 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-7.

Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. Duties may include, but not be limited to the following: Feeds and waters all animals in accordance with verbal and/or written instructions; prepares special diets as needed. Makes daily and routine observations of animals, recognizes deviations from normal health status, and notifies supervisor.

Participates in checking in new animals and setting up initial records. Weans and sexes animals in breeding colony and places animals in appropriate-sized cages and removes them, as required. Maintains animals that require specialized care such as aseptic techniques in a pathogen free colony. Maintains orderly and sanitary conditions throughout the VMU.

Cleans cages, racks, pans, floors and other areas (walls, trash barrels, ancillary rooms) of the facility according to schedule. Operates various equipment (cage washer, bottle washer, autoclaves, etc.) correctly. Administers proper medical treatment according to protocol specifications. Humanely and safely restrains animals for research and clinical staff as needed. Collects specimens (blood, urine, tissues) for chemical or histological examination.

Prepares animals for experimental procedure to include anesthetization, surgical preparation and post mortem examinations as requested by the PI. Maintains complete records of animal care and treatment. Performs other related duties as assigned. NOTE: Intermittent employment is defined as non-fulltime employment in which employees serve under an excepted or competitive service appointment without a regularly scheduled tour of duty.

A position with an intermittent work schedule is sporadic and unpredictable so that a tour of duty cannot be regularly scheduled in advance. Intermittent positions offer health insurance only if the employee is expected to work at least 130 hours per month for at least 90 days. NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (not-to-exceed 4 Years). Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration (more than 1 year but not more than 4).

Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition (up to the 4 year maximum).

The appointment to a Term position does not convey eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment. Work Schedule: 1 weekend a month, rotating weekends, 4 hours shifts per weekend or per weekend day Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

Requirements & Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $45409 - $59031/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-09-30.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.