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.

GS-5
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-05 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-04 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience assisting higher level technicians in one or more phases of a research process in a laboratory setting; and operating common laboratory equipment.
OR
Education: 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. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. Related courses include plant science, plant biology, soil science, agronomy, chemistry, and environmental studies.
OR
A combination of education and specialized experience as described above.

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 successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience collecting or evaluating plant or soil samples; keeping detailed records of experimental data; and performing routine and recurring techniques using a variety of specialized equipment.
OR
Education: One full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related courses include plant science, plant biology, soil science, agronomy, chemistry, and environmental studies.
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 participating in research project related to plants or soil; statistically analyzing or summarizing data; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.
OR
Education: One full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related courses include plant science, plant biology, soil science, agronomy, chemistry, and environmental studies.
OR
A combination of graduate level education and 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 participating in one or more phases of a plant or soil research process; collecting and analyzing plant or soil samples; and operating, maintaining, calibrating, or modifying specialized equipment.
OR
Education: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related courses include plant science, plant biology, soil science, agronomy, chemistry, and environmental studies.
OR
A combination of graduate level education and 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 plants or soil; collecting, preparing, and evaluating plant or soil samples for sequencing and supporting records; and summarizing research results for preparation in scientific reports or manuscripts.
OR
Education: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related courses include plant science, plant biology, soil science, agronomy, chemistry, and environmental studies.
OR
A combination of graduate level education and 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.