Biological Scientist (Scientific Analyst)

US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Dorado (PR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in Dorado, PR seeks a Biological Scientist within NVSL to perform testing, analyze lab data, and support documentation needs.

You will prepare presentations, write procedural documents, and assist with import/export certificates and procurement statements, reporting to the section leader.

Qualifications

• Degree in biological sciences or related field.
• Combination of education and experience acceptable as described in the posting.
• Superior Academic Achievement criteria may apply per GPA or class standing.

Responsibilities

• Testing and analyzing laboratory data.
• Preparing procedural documents and presentations for internal use.
• Assisting other units with import/export certificates and technical procurement statements.

Skills

Receiving & processing specimens

Evaluating diagnostic specimens

Interpreting submitter requests

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences

Graduate-level education in biological sciences

Superior Academic Achievement criteria

Job description

If selected, you will serve as a biological scientist within a unit of National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), report to the section leader, and have broad responsibilities, including testing, analyzing laboratory data, supporting communications by writing procedural documents, preparing presentations and supporting other units within Veterinary Services with document preparation, such as import/export certificates, or technical procurement statements. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

BASIC REQUIREMENT

A degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR Combination of education and experience: post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work.

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE:

FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL:

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 grade level) that demonstrates:

• Receiving, processing, and evaluating diagnostic specimens and interpreting and responding to submitter requests.
• Maintaining and accurately processing documents through veterinary services systems such as certificate processing, quality processing and purchasing systems.
• Reviewing and processing submission paperwork and communicating with submitters for accuracy of submissions.

OR 1 year of graduate-level education in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements. GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9).

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS

are required if:

• This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
• You are qualifying for the position based on education.
• You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
• You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement.
• This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-7 GRADE LEVEL:

Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

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.