Biological Science Technician

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Aberdeen (ID); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in Aberdeen, Idaho, seeks personnel to support the Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research Unit. The role involves standardized laboratory, greenhouse, and field tasks, with routine procedures and data management essential for advancing research projects.

The candidate will handle samples, operate and maintain specialized equipment, and document results with meticulous attention to detail across multiple environments.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship or U.S. national required.
• Background investigation and fingerprint check may be required.
• Probationary period and possible promotion plan described in agency information.
• Attention to detail and accuracy are essential for laboratory/field records.

Responsibilities

• Assist in multiple phases of the research process in lab, field, or greenhouse settings.
• Perform routine techniques and studies with specialized equipment.
• Maintain, calibrate, and modify equipment and automated systems for tests.
• Collect, prepare, evaluate, and verify samples; maintain supporting records.
• Keep detailed records of experimental data and outcomes.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Flexibility

Integrity/Honesty

Interpersonal Skills

Reading Comprehension

Self-Management

Stress Tolerance

Teamwork

Job description

Summary

This position is located in Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research Unit, in Aberdeen, ID. In this position, you will perform standardized routines in support of research projects. Such duties involve standardized tests, procedures, routines, or operations which require a general knowledge of basic biological science and the ability to know when and how to resolve problems encountered or to make adaptations in the sequencing of the tasks performed.

Major Duties

Assists in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of technical duties, in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment, common to the assigned area of work.Performs routine and recurring techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment.Maintains, calibrates and modifies equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.Collects, prepares, evaluates, and verifies samples and supporting records; maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources.Keeps detailed records of experimental data.

Requirements

You must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable. During this time your employment will be evaluated, and we may consider: your performance and conduct, the needs and interests of the agency, whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government, and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Evaluations

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy. This means you will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Other Information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking, or bending. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a work day) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. In other situations, such as in a laboratory, there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working with contagious diseases or irritant chemicals or working outdoors when temperatures exceed 32 degrees C or within a cold storage facility at 10 degrees C. The employee is required to use protective clothing such as gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Recruitment and Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official.