Biological Science Technician (Animal)

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT) – A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. The SPF for this position is: Have working experience performing compliance inspections with regulatory agencies such as: Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), American Association for Laboratory Animal Science(AALAS), Office of Laboratory Welfare (OLAW). IN ADDITION TO THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR, TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-09 LEVEL YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Have at least one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-8 grade level in the Federal Service. Experience must have been related to the work of the position for which application is made. The specialized experience required for some positions in this series is normally work performed in a controlled environment. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: research activity or control program work; nursery work that required the growing and maintenance of plants in a controlled environment; work comparable to that with a large dairy farm where production records, animal environment, and sanitary conditions were kept in accordance with modern dairy practice. ADDITIONAL SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE INCLUDES: Managing an Animal Care Facility; providing the optimum husbandry and healthcare to the research animals, essential operational and technical support in a wide variety of animals studies for all biomedical programs involving animal subjects. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. -OR- EDUCATION: Have successfully completed two (2) years of graduate education or a master’s degree in a field of study directly related to the work of this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours will be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) -OR- COMBINATION: Have equivalent combinations of specialized experience and successfully completed graduate education as described above to meet the total qualification requirements at the GS-9 level. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Administration and Management Animal Husbandry Attention to Detail Compliance Inspection Customer Service 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: The duties performed both regular and recurring walking, bending, and carrying of moderately heavy equipment (<60 pounds). The incumbent must be able to assist other personnel with the unloading of heavy feed and bedding bags, and the pushing/pulling of very heavy stainless mobile caging units. However, agility and hand-eye coordination are also required for safely and securely handling small rodents to ensure the safety of both the animal and the handler. The risks are moderate in nature. The incumbent works in an office environment and in a research laboratory setting with a daily exposure to potential chemical hazards and biological toxins, and animals or unfixed animal tissues. Both areas are adequately heated, cooled, lighted and ventilated. 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/.
This position is located within the Research and Development (R&D) program at the Syracuse VA Medical Center in Syracuse, NY. The position will serve as the Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) Supervisor and is responsible for the administration of the Syracuse VA Medical Centers animal research program, activities, and facilities.