Biological Science Laboratory Technician

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-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 grade level) that demonstrates: Experience with Plant Protection principles and laboratory techniques. Ability to follow written and oral instructions and execute laboratory, field, or computer-based research. Experience in data collection, data quality control, electronically storing data, basic summary analysis and reporting. Ability to communicate effectively and successfully work with team members to achieve a common goal OR Successful completion of 18 semester hours of graduate level education or internship in biology, entomology, botany, or agriculture, or in a field directly related to the position may be substituted for the specialized experience at the GS-7 level. 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-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.

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
The duties may include, but are not limited to:
Prepares study plans for scientific experiments, using the scientist's hypothesis; attends to all the technical/administrative concerns.
Develops the data required; refines, verifies, justifies, and organizes the data; analyzes and evaluates findings; and writes-up results for review.
Conducts tests and analyses of studies and evaluations of data on plant pests detected domestically or intercepted at ports of entry from all parts of the world.
Collects and manages data, evaluates and analyzes data pertaining to risk, diagnosis, mitigation, rearing, control, treatment and quarantine status.
Manages plant and/or pest samples and resulting data, including receipt, storage, processing, photographing, and archiving while following procedures to ensure sample integrity and custody.