Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Animal)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Charleston VA Medical Center in Charleston, SC, hosts a Research and Development Service position to support VA funded research on cells, genes and tissues, including work with animals and molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry.

The incumbent assists with animal care, protocol adherence and record-keeping, performing laboratory techniques under supervision in a term appointment. Located on-site in Charleston with physical requirements noted.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience in biology-related work or equivalent education is required for GS-6 level.
• Experience should be documented with job title, duties, dates and hours per week.
• Graduate education in biology, chemistry, statistics or related fields may substitute experience.

Responsibilities

• Feeds and waters all animals per instructions, and prepares diets as needed.
• Observes animals daily for health status and notifies supervisor of deviations.
• Maintains animal records, assists with animal care and experimentation preparation.

Job description

Summary

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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the GS-6 level - you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge - skills - and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position - and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable - specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal service. Experience must have been related to the work of the position for which application is made. The specialized experience required for some positions in this series is normally work performed in a controlled environment. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Research activity or control program work; Nursery work that required the growing and maintenance of plants in a controlled environment; Work comparable to that with a large dairy farm where production records - animal environment - and sanitary conditions were kept in accordance with modern dairy practice. Farming experience that was not performed in a controlled environment - or experience as a laborer who was not responsible for planning and scheduling his/her own work - but only performed assigned tasks - would not qualify as specialized experience. Specialized experience also includes working experience assisting with conducting research by collecting and entering biological data related to animal science; performing animal husbandry by feeding - treatment - disposal and environmental monitoring of research animals; and maintaining records for animal care. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title - duties - month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. ~OR~ Education: Successfully completed one-half year of graduate education (9 semester hours) that includes courses directly related to the work of this position (i.e. - biology - chemistry - statistics - entomology - animal husbandry - botany - physics - agriculture - or mathematics) that may be substituted for the experience required. Such graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience that may be used to meet total experience requirements. This education must include courses directly related to the work of the position (as described above) and must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Physical Requirements: Work requires significant physical exertion. Most activity will be walking - but other activities will involve standing for extended periods - considerable bending - climbing of step stools/ladders - and carrying or lifting items weighing more than 50 lbs. Other situations may involve moving heavy equipment such as individually ventilated cage racks or bulk supplies deliveries while using appropriate mechanical assistance (cart - dolly - etc).

Duties

• ***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 confer 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