Summary The position is located at the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC), Fort Collins, CO. The incumbent will serve under the NWRC -Wildlife Genetics Project. This Unit is responsible for applying genetic tools and methods to wildlife damage management and wildlife disease. The coordinating of the employee's activities will be the responsibility of the Project Leader. The incumbent will aid in wildlife studies by conducting genetic laboratory procedures, producing data, and reporting results. Responsibilities The duties may include, but are not limited to: Perform routine laboratory maintenance. Maintain laboratory spaces in a clean and orderly fashion. Clean and prepare laboratory spaces in a non-invasive/low-quality DNA laboratory Perform daily and weekly maintenance protocols on laboratory equipment. Provide routine laboratory and field support as needed to ensure success of wildlife research protocols. Set-up and maintain laboratory-specific equipment. Make reagents. Record relevant information on data sheets. Extract DNA from various templates (tissue, fecal, swabs etc.). Conduct Polymerase Chain Reactions. Assist in laboratory assays with minimal supervision. Assist with shipping and receiving of samples. Provide administrative assistance. Data entry and prooing. Assist with purchase requests for laboratory supplies. Maintain an up-to-date inventory of supplies and equipment. Maintain sample tracking software. Provide sample tracking support (e.g. barcodes). Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. FOR THE GS-05 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Tracking wildlife samples from receipt, through testing, to reporting using database software. Experience with database management is desirable. Must have performed specialized technical laboratory procedures, including DNA extractions from environmental DNA samples. PCR and qPCR for analysis of environmental samples is required as well as basic analysis of data generated from these processes. Next-generation sequencing library preparation of wildlife samples also qualifies and is desirable but not required experience. Must have experience identifying, analyzing, and troubleshooting problems (optimizing, developing new assay) encountered with qPCR. Using mapping software to document wildlife samples collected and results from laboratory analysis. Experience with basic R coding capabilities and experience applying to population genetic analyses is desired. OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. The successful completion of a full course of study of at least 12 months in a school for clinical laboratory technicians may be substituted for the 1 year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level for positions involving microbiology and biochemistry technician work. OR Combination of Education and Experience for the GS-5 Grade Level: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education in the fields of biology, chemistry, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-05 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months. (Appointment may be extended up to 4 years without re-announcing). For more details click: Term Appointments Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. Worksite Information: This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Additional information regarding ad hoc, occasional, or reoccurring telework may be obtained at a later time from the hiring manager or program during the hiring process.
