New job Biological Science Technician in Arkansas

Biological Science Technician

Company : US Food and Drug Administration
Salary : $43,683 - $56,790 a year
Location : Arkansas

Full Description

Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) which is the lead office for all agency field activities. ORA inspects regulated products and manufacturers, conducts sample analyses of regulated products and reviews imported products offered for entry into the United States. In pursuit of its mission, ORA also works with its state, local, tribal, territorial and foreign counterparts.

The telework for this position is episodic telework only.


Responsibilities

  • Performs laboratory work requiring the use of laboratory apparatus and applies a wide variety of methods, tests, and procedures to determine contamination of foods, drugs, cosmetics, and raw materials resulting from improper processing or storage.
  • Designs, coordinates and executes unconventional projects that may not be precedented.
  • Modifies analytical methods, adapts existing methods to new products, and develops methodology on products which present problems of limited difficulty and scope.

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel up to 25% for this position.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

9

  • Job family (Series)

    0404 Biological Science Technician

    Similar jobs

    • Biological Technicians
    • Technicians, Biological
  • Requirements

    Requirements

    Conditions of Employment

    • Citizenship Requirement: You must be a U.S. Citizen to be considered for this advertisement unless explicitly stated otherwise.
    • FDA participates in e-Verify: All new hires must complete the I-9 form; this information will be processed through e-Verify to determine your employment eligibility. If a discrepancy arises, you must take affirmative steps to resolve the matter.
    • Background Investigation Requirement: All employees must pass a security investigation. Failing to pass the background check may be grounds for removal or legal action. If hired, you may be subject to additional investigations at a later time.
    • You must meet ALL requirements by the closing date of this announcement to be considered. Only education, experience, and qualifications attained by this date will be considered. You must continue to meet all requirements through the hiring process.
    • Direct Deposit: You will be required to have all federal salary payments electronically deposited into a bank account with a financial institution of your choice.
    • Additional selections may be made from this vacancy, within the same geographical area, by other organizational elements from within FDA, through shared corporate recruiting activities.

    Qualifications

    The position of Biological Science Technician falls under the 0404 occupational series. To qualify for this position at grade GS-7, you must meet the following:

    Specialized Experience. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

    You must possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 in the Federal service that includes experience: utilizing lab equipment and instrumentation in support of scientific studies and experiments; collecting and labeling specimens/samples; and recording and analyzing data and preparing reports of findings.
    -OR-
    One full year of graduate education directly related to the work of the position.
    -OR-
    A combination of specialized experience and education as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement.

    NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Be sure that any uploaded documents you provide in your application are free of document security or compression which might render the document unreadable by our system.

    IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.

    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.

    Education

    If substituting education for experience, you MUST submit a copy of an unofficial or official transcript from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking prior to the announcement closing. If you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you will be required to provide official transcripts.

    Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required prior to appointment if selected.

    TRANSCRIPTS:

    If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities, see the Foreign Education section below for additional requirements.

    Pay careful attention to the Qualifications and Education sections to identify vacancies where a transcript is required. Even if you hold a similar position or are a current employee, you are not exempt from transcript requirements.


    Electronic Transcript Caution: If you have obtained your transcripts electronically, the file might contain security measures that could prevent our application system from reading the file. Therefore, you should consider asking the institution to provide the file in a non-secured electronic format. Alternatively, you could scan or take a photo of the printed copy of the transcript. If your uploaded transcript cannot be read by our system, you may receive consideration and credit for the information we can access.

    See the Application Manager Documentation for tips on submitting your paper-based documents.


    FOREIGN EDUCATION
    Applicants using part or all of their education completed outside of the U.S. to meet the qualification requirements, must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. We will only accept the completed foreign credential evaluation.

    To be acceptable, the foreign credential evaluation must include/describe at a minimum, the following information: (1) The type of education received by the applicant; (2) The level of education in relation to the U.S. education system, and state that its comparability recommendations follow the general guidelines of the International Evaluation Standards Council; (3) The content of the applicant's educational program earned abroad, and the standard obtained; (4) The status of the awarding foreign school's recognition and legitimacy in its home country's education system; and (5) Any other information of interest such as what the evaluation service did to obtain this information, the qualifications of the evaluator, and any indications as to other problems such as forgery.

    Note: Some positions require the completion of specific courses or a specified number of credit hours. Therefore, the foreign credential evaluation should provide information similar to that of an official transcript, to include a list of the courses taken, quarter and/or semester hours awarded, the cumulative grade point average (GPA), honors received, if any, date degree awarded.

    Applicants can request an evaluation from a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services listed below:

    • National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
    • Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE)
    Credential evaluations are not free, and applicants are responsible for the cost of the selected service.
    For more information about this requirement, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website for Foreign Education Evaluation

    Additional information

    For some advertisements, the Food & Drug Administration receives hundreds, even thousands, of applications from job-seekers. Because of this high level of interest in positions with the FDA, the agency reserves the option of setting an application number limit.

    When an application limit is set, USAJOBS will close the vacancy at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on either:
    (A) the day the limit is reached,
    -OR-
    (B) the pre-defined closing date of 06/17/2021, whichever comes first.

    If the limit is reached before 11:59 pm ET, all applications in excess of the limit will continue to be accepted until 11:59 pm ET.

    The application limit, if applicable, for this advertisement is: No limit.

    For more information about announcement closing, see: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/job-announcement/expiration/

    ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

    • If you are serving, or have served in the last 5 years (from 06/17/2021) as an Executive Branch political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointee, HHS/FDA may be required to obtain approval by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prior to beginning employment. You can find out if you have held one of these appointment types by looking at your Standard Form 50s in your Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF), in Section 5 where the legal authorities are listed. If you have served or are currently serving, you must provide a copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, documenting this appointment. In addition, you will be required to respond to the question in the assessment and certify your responses to the questionnaire. Political Appointee FAQ - OPM
    • Special Appointing Authorities: If you are applying for eligibility based on a disability, veteran status, or under a career transition program, please pay careful attention to the Required Documents section for a detailed explanation of eligibility requirements to include supporting documentation.
    • Ethics Requirement: This position may require financial disclosure reporting and will be subject to FDA's prohibited financial interest regulation. If you are hired, you may be required to divest of certain financial interests. You are advised to seek additional information on this requirement from the hiring official before accepting any job offers. For more information please visit the FDA Ethics web page: https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/jobs-and-training-fda/ethics.
    • Pre-Employment Physical: No
    • Drug Testing Requirement: No
    • License Requirement: No
    • Immunization Requirement: No
    • Mobility Agreement Required: No
    • Bargaining Unit Position: Yes, NTEU

    How You Will Be Evaluated

    You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

    Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

    About Category Rating (DEU) Procedures (Basis for Rating):

    • Category rating procedures will be used to rate and rank candidates.
    • The answers you provide to the applicant self-assessment questions will be used, in conjunction with the supporting documents you include, and your resume, to determine your eligibility for Federal employment and your qualification for this position specifically.
    • Your application score is used to place you into one of three quality categories: "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified". (The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position.)
    • The cut-off score for each quality category may vary from announcement to announcement, and is determined by each agency, in advance of the advertisement going live.
    • Category Rating does not add veterans preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible Vets who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% or higher must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher).
    • Interagency / Career Transition Assistance Program (I/CTAP):Well-Qualified is defined as an applicant who meets the qualification standards and eligibility requirements for the position, including minimum educational and experience requirements; any qualifications and suitability; is able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation; meets any applicable selective placement factors for the position (such as the ability to speak a specific language or any other factor required immediately upon hire); and is able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, surplus or displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position. Learn more on the USAJOBS Career Transition Assistance Site.
    Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics). You do not need to respond to the KSA's directly, but your resume should contain sufficient information to demonstrate possession of the Competencies.
    • Technical competence
    • Research
    • Conscientiousness
    To preview the application assessment questions, click the link below:
    https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11140092

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance

    Not Required

    Drug test required

    No

    Position sensitivity and risk

    Moderate Risk (MR)

    Trust determination process

    Suitability/Fitness

  • Required Documents

    Required Documents

    REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

    • Resume


    RESUME REQUIREMENTS: The federal government has very specific résumé requirements. If you have not written a federal résumé before, you may want to watch this Resume Writing Tutorial or the Resume Writing FAQ to see what details you should, and should not, include in your resume. A CV (curriculum vitae) may not contain enough information to meet these resume requirements. At a minimum, your resume should list the position title, employer name and address, start and end dates (including month and year), salary (or grade and step), hours worked per week, and a list of duties performed or accomplishments, for EACH position included.

    ACCEPTED DOCUMENTS:
    • Cover Letter
    • DD-214/ Statement of Service
    • Disability Letter (VA)
    • Other supporting documentation not listed
    • Resume
    • Separation Notice (RIF)
    • SF-15
    • Transcript

    *Accepted documents may be required for some applicants, depending on which eligibility options you are applying under. See the list below for details.If you are still unsure what documents might be required of you, contact the FDA Applicant Help Desk before the announcement closes. If you need help attaching documents to your application, see Applicant Help Site - Documents.

    For details about transcript requirements, see the Education section.

    Veterans or Military Spouses:
    Must submit a copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that has the dates of service and discharge status.
    • Active Duty Members: To claim status under the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to hire Heroes Act of 2011, you must submit written documentation from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package.
    • Parents of Deceased or Disabled Veterans: To claim status under Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015, you must submit a copy of the deceased or disabled veterans' DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that has the dates of service and discharge status AND the SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. Please follow the instructions in the SF-15 on required documentation to be submitted.
    • Widow or Widower: To claim preference, you must submit a copy of the deceased or disabled veterans' DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that has the dates of service and discharge status AND the SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. Please follow the instructions in the SF-15 on required documentation to be submitted.
    • Spouse of a Living Veteran: To claim preference, you must submit a copy of the veterans' DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that has the dates of service and discharge status AND the SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference, and Documentation of Veteran's Inability to Work Because of a Service-Connected Disability. Please follow the instructions in the SF-15 on required documentation to be submitted.
    See Feds Hire Vets or USAJOBS' Veterans page for more information.

    Other Special Eligibility Documentation Requirements:
    • Individuals with Disabilities: Individuals with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities may apply for appointment through the Schedule A hiring authority. Certified verification of a disability from a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; or any Federal, state, or District of Columbia agency or U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits will be required. You can learn more about this appointment type on the USAJOBS Help Center page for Individuals with Disabilities.
    • Displaced employees: If you are a former Federal employee who was displaced due to a Reduction-in-Force (RIF) or surplused by some other means, please submit a copy of the separation letter or RIF notice from your agency. To be selected under I/CTAP, you must still be found well-qualified for this position. See the How You Will Be Evaluated section for the agency's definition of well-qualified. Learn more on the USAJOBS Career Transition Assistance Site.

    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

  • Benefits

    Benefits

    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.


Help

This job is open to

  • Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

    Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

  • The public

    U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.


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