Equipment Specialist

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 62,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA - Animal Plant Health Inspection Service seeks a qualified professional to manage scientific equipment inventories and track property within the laboratory, including updating records electronically and coordinating receipt, installation, and operation of equipment.

The duties include maintaining knowledge of equipment used in lab operations, conducting quality assurance and inventory activities, and supporting the operation of sophisticated laboratory systems.

Qualifications

• GS-09 requires: 1 year specialized experience in inventories and property tracking.
• Education options include Masters, LL.B., or J.D. in related fields.
• Combination of education and experience acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Manages scientific equipment inventories and tracks property electronically.
• Supports receipt, installation, and setup of laboratory equipment.
• Maintains current knowledge of equipment used for lab operations.
• Keeps accurate records of equipment inventories.
• Conducts Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and inventory activities.
• Supports operation of sophisticated laboratory equipment.

Job description

Find Your Future With Us at USDA - Animal Plant Health Inspection Service

Job Summary

Diagnostics and Biologics (D&B) brings together the Veterinary Services (VS) science centers that provide: diagnostic capability and capacity; regulatory activities related to the approval and monitoring of veterinary biologics; and scientific analysis expertise for addressing animal and public health related issues. The incumbent will be responsible for managing scientific equipment inventories, and updating and tracking property within the laboratory and electronically.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Managing equipment and asset inventories, including tracking and updating property records electronically and maintaining accurate documentation; Developing, implementing, or maintaining preventative maintenance schedules for equipment and assets; and Supporting the acquisition, receipt, installation, and operational setup of equipment, including but not limited to organizing documentation on the equipment, accessories, and ensuring proper functionality for use of the equipment. OR Completion of at least two full years of graduate level education leading to a Masters degree or LL.B. OR J.D. in a field of study directly related to the work of this position as described in the vacancy announcement. Related degrees include mechanical engineering, statistics, physics, math. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 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.

Major Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Manages scientific equipment inventories, updates and tracks property within the laboratory and electronically.
• Supports receipt of laboratory equipment, tracks user manuals and accessories, and facilitates installation of equipment within the laboratory.
• Maintains a current knowledge of the scientific equipment used for laboratory operations.
• Maintains accurate records of equipment inventories.
• Conducts Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and inventory activities.
• Supports the operation of sophisticated laboratory equipment.

Position Start Date:

09/02/2026

Position Close Date:

09/09/2026

Salary Offered:

61722 - 80243 USD Per Year

You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS.