Location: Charleston,SC, USA
Summary
As a Biological Science Laboratory Technician, the incumbent serves as Biomedical Laboratory Technician by performing biological, protein and molecular analyses of cells, tissues and/or microbes. The Laboratory Technician is expected to be able to conduct experiential procedures. under the guidance of the Principal Investigator.
Learn more about this agency
Help
Overview
* Accepting applications
* Open & closing dates
12/11/2024 to 12/26/2024
* Salary
$44,117 - $63,733 per year
* Pay scale & grade
GS 6 - 7
* Help
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
* Charleston, SC 1 vacancy
* Remote job
No
* Telework eligible
No
* Travel Required
Not required
* Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
* Appointment type
Term - 4 years
* Work schedule
Full-time
* Service
Competitive
* Promotion potential
7
* Job family (Series)
* 0404 Biological Science Technician
* Supervisory status
No
* Security clearance
Not Required
* Drug test
No
* Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
* Trust determination process
* Credentialing
* Suitability/Fitness
* Financial disclosure
No
* Bargaining unit status
Yes
* Announcement number
CARX-12624216-25-IW
* Control number
823187200
Help
This job is open to
* Federal employees - Competitive service
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
* Federal employees - Excepted service
Current excepted service federal employees.
* Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a surplus or displaced employee.
* Veterans
* Individuals with disabilities
* Military spouses
* Special authorities
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
* Family of overseas employees
Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is or was, working overseas.
Clarification from the agency
Open to competitive service appointments, former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility, persons eligible for non-competitive appointment under special appointment authorities, persons eligible under the Interchange Agreements; 30% or more disabled veterans; Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) eligibles.
Videos
Help
Duties
This is a bargaining unit position.
Areas of Consideration for this is as follows:
1st - Facility-wide (including satellites) 2nd - Administration or Staff office posting the vacancy. 3rd - All other Status eligibles.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Total Rewards
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday with rotating weekends, work hours vary
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Duty Location Status: Will work from a VA owned or leased space
Position Description Title/PD#: Biological Science Laboratory Technician/ PD10720A and PD07641A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking or bending, walking, or climbing ladders to observe, collect, or record research data. In the laboratory there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity. The work requires exceptional hand/eye coordination.
This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-07. At the GS-06 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-07. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. Promotion is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.
Major Duties:
* Provides husbandry and care for animals according to standards and established work flows.
* Performs daily health checks and relay abnormal findings to veterinarian and/or researchers.
* Maintains established cleaning and sanitization standards.
* Executes administrative tasks including census, animal identification, and logs.
* Ensures necessary husbandry and research supplies are in stock.
* Performs other duties as assigned.
Help
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
* You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
* Selectees are subject to a background/suitability investigation.
* Selectees may be required to serve a probationary period.
* Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
* A complete application package, i.e., Resume, Transcripts, etc., as required by job announcement.
* Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
* Participation in the Seasonal Influenza Prevention Program for VHA Health Care Personnel (HCP) is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs HCP.
* Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
* Pre-employment physical examination/evaluation may be required.
* Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Additional Information below for details.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/26/2024.
Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06.The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.
Provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action to indicate your current federal status. You must also submit additional SF-50(s) to clearly demonstrate one year time-in-grade as required in the announcement. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate that you possess one year time-in-grade. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one year time-in-grade.
Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
AND
You may qualify based on your education/experience/combination as described below.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Individual Occupational Requirements:
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.
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.
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
To qualify for the Biological Science Laboratory Technician GS-0404-06 position, you must have:
At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-05) in the Federal Service that has given you the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties this position. Specialized Experience is defined as knowledge of basic principles of a biological science to assess readings and measurements taken; tests executed, observations made, work completed, samples collected; and interpreting data.
To qualify for the Biological Science Laboratory Technician GS-0404-07, you must have:
At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-06) in the Federal Service that has given you the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties this position. Specialized Experience is defined as experience working in a research laboratory; collecting specimens and samples; and maintaining research records and files; OR
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for the GS-07 grade level you must have successfully completed at least one (1) year of graduate education in a field of study directly related to the work of this position. ; OR
Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 6 months of graduate education.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
* Biology
* Clerical
* Animal Husbandry
Per Office of Personnel Management General Schedule Qualification Policies, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable when documented by satisfactory evidence (e.g., a memorandum from the manager, human resources director, or official documentation such as SF-52, SF-50 documenting an official detail/assignments, or other comparable documentation). The documentation must indicate whether the employee performed the duties full time or, if part-time, the percentage of times the employee performed the additional duties.
To receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your position, you must provide official documentation of such experience as indicated 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; religions; 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.
Note: 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.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit OPM's web site at
Education
There is no education substitute or requirement for the GS-06 level.
PLEASE NOTE: 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 (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. 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.
Additional information
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S.C 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance to VA at ...@va.gov. Applicant written complaints should include the following:
* Administration name: Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
* Office name, employee name and contact information or contractor who made contact (if known).
* Date of contact.
* Details regarding the job opportunity announcement applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related to the complaint.
* Visit Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) for more information.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Read more
* Benefits
Help
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.
Review our 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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
For more information on the Who may apply eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
* Benefits
Help
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.
Review our 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.
* Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
* Resume
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
* Cover Letter
* DD-214/ Statement of Service
* Disability Letter (Schedule A)
* Disability Letter (VA)
* License
* Other (1)
* PCS Orders
* Performance Appraisal
* Professional Certification
* Proof of Marriage Status
* Resume
* Separation Notice (RIF)
* SF-15
* SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
* Transcript
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
* Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
* An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
* Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
* Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
* Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
* Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
* SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
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.
* How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/26/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click
* To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
* Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
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 USA JOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Agency contact information
VHA National Recruitment Center
Phone (844)###-#### Email ...@va.gov
Address Charleston ORD VISN 7
109 Bee Street
Charleston, SC 29401
US
Learn more about this agency
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
* Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
* Criminal history inquiries
* Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
* Financial suitability
* New employee probationary period
* Privacy Act
* Reasonable accommodation policy
* Selective Service
* Signature and false statements
* Social security number request
Help
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
* Resume
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
* Cover Letter
* DD-214/ Statement of Service
* Disability Letter (Schedule A)
* Disability Letter (VA)
* License
* Other (1)
* PCS Orders
* Performance Appraisal
* Professional Certification
* Proof of Marriage Status
* Resume
* Separation Notice (RIF)
* SF-15
* SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
* Transcript
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
* Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
* An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
* Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
* Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
* Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
* Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
* SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the