Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Insect) - Brighton, MI

As a Biological Science Laboratory Technician, you provide practical technical support by performing work involving the production, research and operations of laboratory and field settings; and the rearing and maintenance of host colonies and parasitoid colonies. This includes working independently and in concert with other staff members to sustain an efficient and cohesive workforce, ensure collaboration and knowledge transfer involving the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) control program.

Duties

• 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:
• Performs standardized, technical, field and laboratory duties that support long- and short-term projects of relevance to Plant Protection and Quarantine and its EAB biocontrol program.
• Develops, refines, verifies, justifies, organizes, evaluates and analyzes data pertaining to risk, diagnosis, mitigation, rearing, control, treatment and quarantine status.
• Prepares reports which summarize progress and results of projects.
• Develops, refines, applies, and utilizes techniques involved in EAB physiology, habitat, and response studies; and reproducing, collecting, and caring for insect colonies and their biological control agents.
• Responsible for daily laboratory operational tasks.

RequirementsConditions of Employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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 E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• Follow established safety protocols and may be required to wear personal protective equipment for specific tasks.
• Use of, or work near, dangerous equipment such as chain saws, wood chippers, lift truck, etc. is required.
• Use of protective equipment or clothing is required for some tasks and may create some discomfort.
• The incumbent may be exposed to mildly irritating chemicals, such as potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochloride, ethyl alcohol, Essig's Solution and Hoyer's Solution, etc.
• Overnight travel may be required.
• Office work is well lit and in climate-controlled areas, and laboratory work may subject the incumbent to dusty or uncomfortable conditions and possibly exposure to plant or insect allergens.

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-05 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Performing with minimal guidance most aspects of insect-rearing duties in a parasitic hymenopteran (wasps for biological control) mass-production setting.
• Performing with minimal guidance most of the care for greenhouse-grown plant material (ash trees), setting up and maintaining wood boring beetle (emerald ash borer) and parasitic hymenopteran (wasps for biological control) rearing enclosures.
• Maintaining a safe and sanitary laboratory environment, performing quality control on insect and plant material in the laboratory, etc.

OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics.

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-05 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.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. 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.
• First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
• This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit (union), specifically the National Association of Agricultural Employees (NAAE) / 1836.
• Promotion Potential: 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.
• Worksite Information: This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Additional information regarding ad hoc, occasional, or reoccurring telework may be obtained at a later time from the hiring manager or program during the hiring process.