Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Animal)

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

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Cincinnati, OH seeks Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Animal) for care, safety, and well-being of research animals in the VMU. This is a multi-grade career ladder with a term appointment (up to 4 years).

The role requires experience in animal husbandry, record-keeping, and ability to assist with experimental procedures, including anesthesia and post-procedure care. Promotion to GS-06 may occur based on performance and needs.

Qualifications

• 4-year degree with biology/chemistry-related coursework preferred.
• Experience with animal care and husbandry is required.
• Knowledge of records maintenance and anesthesia prep is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Feed and water all animals per instructions.
• Prepare special diets as needed.
• Keep census records by room and investigator.
• Maintain sanitary conditions in VMU and assist with equipment testing.
• Administer medical treatments per protocol and assist with procedures.
• Assist in handling and restraining animals for staff.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Summary

These positions are located in the Research Service - Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) and report directly to the VMU supervisor/Managing Director located in Cincinnati - OH. The Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Animal) will be responsible for the overall care - safety and well-being of the research animals housed in the VMU.

Summary

These positions are located in the Research Service - Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) and report directly to the VMU supervisor/Managing Director located in Cincinnati - OH. The Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Animal) will be responsible for the overall care - safety and well-being of the research animals housed in the VMU.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the GS-5 grade level - you must meet one of the following requirements: 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-4) 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. In addition to the experience above - you must also possess the following specialized experience: performing animal husbandry; handling and caring for research animals; maintaining records for animal care and treatment; and maintaining equipment used in the care of animals. 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.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: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study 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. This education 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. ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post high school education and specialized experience that may be used to meet total experience requirements. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study - or 60 semester hours - beyond the second year is equivalent to one year of specialized experience. 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. To qualify for this position at the GS-6 grade level - you must meet one of the following requirements: 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. Specialized experience also includes working experience in a laboratory that involves basic knowledge of overall care - safety and well-being of research animals; monitoring research regulatory compliance; maintaining records; collecting samples; utilizing a variety of equipment; providing technical assistance; and preparing animals for experimental procedures (i.e. anesthetization - surgical preparation and post mortem examinations). Farming experience that was not performed in a controlled environment - or experience as a laborer who was not responsible for planning and scheduling their own work - but only performed assigned tasks - would not qualify as specialized experience. 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.

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-06
• At the GS-05 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-06
• Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance - availability of higher level work - and availability of funds
• 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
• Major duties include but are not limited to: 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
• When necessary - weans and sexes animals in breeding colony and places animals in appropriate-sized cages
• Maintains animals that require specialized care such as aseptic techniques in a pathogen free colony and Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL- 2) housing
• Maintains census records by room and investigator
• Maintains records for animal care - feeding - treatment - disposal - and environmental monitoring
• Maintains orderly and sanitary conditions throughout the VMU
• Operates various equipment (cage washer - bottle washer - autoclaves - etc.) correctly
• Oversees quality control procedures on equipment and microbiological monitoring of animal rooms and cages and reports deficiencies as required
• Administers proper medical treatment according to protocol specifications
• Humanely and safely restrains animals for research and clinical staff as needed
• and Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 6:00am to 2:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved