Biological Science Technician
What you'd do
This position is located within the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Plains Area, Manhattan, KS. In this position you will be involved in data and code management and analyses that support research on the environmental drivers of arthropod-borne livestock diseases and their vectors across spatial and temporal scales in order to develop innovative and relevant solutions that minimize costs to producers.
Major duties
Collects, prepares, evaluates, and verifies samples/data and supporting records. Tabulates, statistically analyzes, and summarizes data using authorized computers and software packages. Maintains, calibrates, and modifies equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. Participates as a team member with the scientist in all phases of the research process and assumes full technical and operational responsibility for specific phases of the research. Selects appropriate methods and procedures for carrying the project plan to completion. Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources.
What you need to qualify
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. GS-6 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-06 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience assisting higher level technicians in one or more phases of the research process; keeping detailed records of observational or experimental data; and performing routine and recurring techniques using a variety of specialized equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of one full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Biology, Entomology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Computer Science, Geography, Statistics, or Animal Science. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-7 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience collecting and evaluating samples and supporting records; keeping detailed records of ecological data; performing routine and recurring techniques using a variety of specialized equipment; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. OR Education: Successful completion of one full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Biology, Entomology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Computer Science, Geography, Statistics, or Animal Science. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-8 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-08 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in one or more phases of a research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties related to ecology; collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data; and writing code to automate tasks and improve reproducibility. OR Education: Successful completion of 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Biology, Entomology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Computer Science, Geography, Statistics, or Animal Science. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-9 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-08 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience setting up and conducting an experiment or research project related to ecology; collecting, analyzing and summarizing data; writing code to automate tasks and improve reproducibility; and preparing reports to summarize research progress and results. OR Education: Successful completion of 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Biology, Entomology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Computer Science, Geography, Statistics, or Animal Science. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. 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.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.