Biological Science Technician (Animal)

Duties Summary

The positions are located at the United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, US National Poultry Research Center in Athens, GA. The animal research program involves activities in various types of facilities, including containment, high containment, and commercial settings, as well as a pilot poultry processing facility. Responsibilities include providing technical support to animal research programs, focusing on areas such as poultry-related animal health, production, food safety, and product quality.

Requirements

• Qualifications: 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-7 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. For this position, specialized experience includes:

  • Experience participating in one or more phases of the animal research process.
  • Working with animals in an agricultural, commercial, or research setting.
  • Operating laboratory or field equipment in support of a research project.

• Education: Successful completion of one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Animal Science, Poultry Science, or Microbiology, and related fields. Alternatively, an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated above.

• GS-8 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. For this position, specialized experience includes:

  • Experience planning and conducting an agricultural animal research project to include collecting or maintaining biological samples related to agricultural animals.
  • Working with animals in an agricultural, commercial, or research setting.
  • Operating equipment in support of an animal research project.
  • Recording and compiling research results and data using automated software or equipment.

• Education: Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Animal Science, Poultry Science, or Microbiology, and related fields. Alternatively, an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated 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.

ARS Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Our job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. What we do matters in science and the world. For more information about Agricultural Research Service, go to https://www.ars.usda.gov/.