Biological Science Technician

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-07:
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in one or more phases of the research process in food science by performing a variety of technical duties; conducting experiments to test hypotheses; operating and maintaining common laboratory equipment; and keeping detailed records of experimental data.
OR
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. Related degrees may include Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science, Agricultural Science, or Analytical Chemistry.
OR
A combination of graduate level education and experience as described above.

GS-08:
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-08 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in a research project related to food science; analyzing and summarizing data using software packages; operating and maintaining scientific laboratory or field equipment; and analysis of samples using analytical instrumentation including liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
OR
Education: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science, Agricultural Science, or Analytical Chemistry.
OR
A combination of graduate level education and experience as described above.

GS-09:
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-08 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience conducting an experiment or research project related to food science; utilizing chromatographic techniques such as liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS); analyzing and summarizing data using software packages; maintaining specialized scientific equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures; and preparing manuscripts for publication.
OR
Education: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science, Agricultural Science, or Analytical Chemistry.
OR
A combination of graduate level education and experience as described 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.