Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Animal)

Summary

These positions are located in the Department of Research and Development at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center located in Portland, Oregon. The Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Animal) will be responsible for the overall care, safety and well-being of the research animals.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-06. At the GS-04 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-06. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (not-to-exceed 4 years). Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration (more than 1 year but not more than 4). Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition (up to the 4-year maximum). The appointment to a Term position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment. Major duties include but are not limited to: Feeds and waters all animals in accordance with verbal and/or written instructions; prepares special diets as needed; Makes daily and routine observations of animals, recognizes deviations from normal health status and notifies supervisor; Participates in checking in new animals and setting up initial records; When necessary, weans and sexes animals in breeding colony and places animals in appropriate-sized cages; Maintains animals that require specialized care such as aseptic techniques in a pathogen free colony and Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL- 2) housing. Maintains census records by room and investigator; Maintains records for animal care, feeding, treatment, disposal, and environmental monitoring; Maintains orderly and sanitary conditions; Operates various equipment (cage washer, bottle washer, autoclaves, etc.) correctly; Oversees quality control procedures on equipment and microbiological monitoring of animal rooms and cages and reports deficiencies as required. Administers proper medical treatment according to protocol specifications; Humanely and safely restrains animals for research and clinical staff as needed; and Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE: Possess 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in federal service. General Experience is any type of work that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of this occupation. Specialized experience is experience assisting with the day-to-day operations of a research laboratory or animal care facility, performing animal husbandry; handling and caring for research animals; maintaining records for animal care and treatment; and maintaining equipment used in the care of animals. Farming experience that was not performed in a controlled environment, or experience as a laborer who was not responsible for planning and scheduling his/her own work, but only performed assigned tasks, would not qualify as specialized experience. NOTE: This must be listed in your resume as we may not assume anything. OR EDUCATION: Successfully completed two years of study above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of the following scientific or technical courses: biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to this position as a biological laboratory science technician (animal). NOTE TO APPLICANTS: This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED - If you do not submit a copy of your transcript, your application may not be processed.) OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Possess equivalent combinations of experience and education as described above to fully meet the requirements of this position. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Animal Husbandry Biomedical Equipment Technology Clerical IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Requirements: Work is a mixture of sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, and lifting. May be required to stand long periods of time and may be required to lift weights of up to sixty (60) pounds for short periods of time. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).