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Biological Science Technician

Agricultural Research Service · Department of Agriculture

This job in plain English

This is a full-time Biological Science Technician job with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Urbana, IL, in the Soybean/Maize Germplasm, Pathology, and Genetics Unit. You will work as a team member with scientists on plant research in labs, fields, and greenhouses. The announcement lists 1 vacancy, occasional travel, and telework that depends on agency policy.

Telework eligible1 vacancy in Urbana, IL; multiple positions may be filled from this announcement

Can you apply?

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.

  • Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.
  • Displaced federal employeesFederal employees who lost or are losing their job through a reduction in force (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

Other groups listed above may get extra consideration, for example veterans' preference.

The job is open to the public, but you must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national. No prior federal experience is required. Veterans' preference and CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority may apply to eligible applicants.

What you would do

  • Take part in plant research in labs, fields, or greenhouses.
  • Adapt or develop new techniques for the needs of research projects.
  • Run a wide range of studies using specialized scientific equipment.
  • Maintain, calibrate, and modify complex or specialized equipment and automated systems.
  • Purify and grow plant pathogens to inoculate plants for disease tests.

Do you qualify for GS-6 to GS-7 (up to GS-9)?

With experience: You need one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 to qualify for GS-06, and one year comparable to GS-06 to qualify for GS-07. The experience must involve lab, field, or greenhouse research, such as collecting samples, operating scientific equipment, keeping research records, preparing lab materials, or performing plant disease inoculations. Paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, counts.

With education: Completing at least one full year of graduate education toward a master's or equivalent degree can qualify you for GS-06. Related fields include Biology, Plant Pathology, Plant Sciences, Plant Biology, Plant Genetics, and Agronomy. You can also combine graduate education with specialized experience.

How to apply well

What to send:

  • Resume with personal information, education, and work experience including duties, hours per week, dates, titles, series, and grades; maximum 2 pages
  • Unofficial college transcripts if you use education to qualify; official transcripts are needed before starting
  • Foreign school accreditation evidence, with an English translation of transcripts, if education is from a foreign institution
  • DD-214 if you claim veterans' preference, or a certification of expected discharge if on active duty
  • SF-15 with proof of entitlement if you claim 10-point veterans' preference (SF-15 is included but not required)
  • Proof of eligibility, separation notice, SF-50, and current performance appraisal if you apply under CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP

How you will be rated: Applicants are placed in Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified categories based on the quality of their experience and on attention to detail, flexibility, integrity/honesty, interpersonal skills, learning, reading comprehension, self-management, and teamwork. Your application questionnaire, resume, and USA Hire assessments are all used. Overstating your qualifications or cheating on an assessment can get you removed from consideration.

Tips for this job:

  • Keep your resume to 2 pages or less, because applicants who go over are removed from consideration.
  • For each job, list dates, hours per week, title, series, and grade so reviewers can match your experience to the GS-06 or GS-07 requirements.
  • If you use graduate education to qualify, upload your transcripts, and for foreign schools include proof of accreditation.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time

Incentives and relocation: Recruitment and Relocation Incentive may be authorized, and the hiring official makes the final decision. Relocation expenses are not reimbursed.

Conditions of employment:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
  • Background investigation and/or fingerprint check must be satisfactorily adjudicated
  • Federal payments must be made by direct deposit
  • Must pass E-Verify employment verification
  • 1-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable
  • Regular and recurring walking or bending, with some physical exertion
  • Moderate risk work, such as contagious diseases, irritant chemicals, or outdoor work
  • Protective clothing required, such as gowns, coats, boots, goggles, and gloves

We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.

Job details

Salary
$45,409 – $65,599 per year
Pay scale and grade
GS-6 to GS-7 (up to GS-9) · General Schedule
Location
Urbana, Illinois
Appointment
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Openings
1
Security clearance
Other
Travel
Occasional travel
Drug test
Not required
Supervisory
No
Occupation
Biological Science Technician (0404)
Announcement
ARS-S27Y-13101721-OAD

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