Position Summary:
This position is located within the Research Service at the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System in Gainesville, FL. The Biological Science Laboratory Technician requires broad practical knowledge of animal husbandry, animal behavior; requires the ability to oversee and perform husbandry, enrichment, cage wash duties, animal health checks, animal transfers and all other husbandry functions associated with maintaining an animal research facility.
Required Education & Experience:
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- Have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA’s) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) 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. Specialized experience also includes working experience in a laboratory that involves basic knowledge of overall care, safety and well-being of research animals; monitoring research regulatory compliance; maintaining records; utilizing a variety of equipment; providing technical assistance; maintaining supplies for the facility. 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.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- Subject to background/security investigation
Key Responsibilities:
- Receives animals, observes and records health conditions of new animals and accurately verifies packing slips with actual shipment and records data log.
- Performs Other Duties as Assigned.
- Maintains the Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) facilities and equipment and controls supplies.
- Demonstrates proficiency in use of computer software used.
- Maintains and controls laboratory records.
- Maintains VMU in a clean and safe condition according to Safety Regulations and Standard Operating Procedures.
- Establishes effective record keeping procedures, provides training on procedures and establishes quality control methods to ensure effective use of the system, and to identify inadequacies/discrepancies.
- Maintains VMU stock and orders materials, as needed.