Job Description
Summary
The Biological Science Technician performs duties relating to the mitigation of zoonotic disease transmission to livestock and poultry. The work is primarily concerned with consultations and operations relating to the assessment, reduction, and/or elimination of the spread of disease to livestock and poultry from wild and/or feral animal species in agricultural environments.
Duties Help
- 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:
- Inspects and surveys livestock and poultry facilities located on ranches, farms, auction markets, etc., for possible wild vertebrate disease vectors.
- Recommends or implements the most effective tools/devices to mitigate the possibility of livestock and poultry encountering vertebrate disease.
- Maintains records of chemical control use to comply with state and federal regulatory requirements.
- Enters data into established database/system of record. Uses data to prepare and submit routine reports regarding activities, observations, and events.
- Obtains and maintains pesticide applicator licenses, permits, or other similar authorizations as necessary.
- May assist research efforts by participating in field tests of disease mitigation techniques or providing biological or other specimens.
Requirements Help
Conditions 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.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at
- Successful completion of one-year trial period.
- Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
- Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
- All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
- Incumbents must be able to comply with both Federal and State statutory requirements to possess and use firearms in the performance of their duties and must maintain state-mandated firearm use certification requirements.
- Legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms appropriately and safely is required.
- To fulfill field or laboratory requirements, proof of specific vaccinations and boosters, may be required as a condition of employment to prevent contracting preventable diseases.
- Ability to obtain and maintain pesticide applicator licenses, permits, or other similar authorizations as necessary.
- The work requires some physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, or uneven, surfaces; bending; crouching; stooping; stretching; reaching; or similar activities in outdoor or indoor environments. Agility and dexterity are required.
- Extended travel or temporary duty may be required of the position. This time may involve irregular working hours, including overtime.
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 grade level) that demonstrates:
- Inspecting livestock and poultry facilities and accurately identifying possible wild vertebrate disease vectors.
- Conducting demonstrations and training sessions on methods and procedures related to the control of animal disease in livestock and poultry.
- Assisting in negotiation of cooperative agreements with landowners.
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 scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be in animal science, animal biology, zoology, wildlife, or veterinary medicine.
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 Please see above for education qualification requirement information.
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.
- Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.
- This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months. (Appointment may be extended up to 4 years without reannouncing). For more details click: Term Appointments
- 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.
- Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.
- Incumbents may be expected to have no contact with avian species outside of work. Questions or concerns may be address during the interview process.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Job Tags
Full time, Temporary work, Part time, Relocation, Trial period,