Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians

Biological Science Laboratory Technician
National Zoo

ANNOUNCEMENT #: 07-JW-293502-JNT-NZP

SALARY RANGE: 37,640.00 – 48,933.00 USD per year OPEN PERIOD: September 4, 2007 to September 18, 2007

SERIES AND GRADE: GS-0404-07

POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time, Temporary Not-To-Exceed 3 months

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 07 DUTY LOCATIONS: 1 Vacancy – Washington, DC

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: U.S. citizens or nationals of the United States. U.S. citizens include natives of Guam [since 1950], Northern Mariana Islands; Puerto Rico; and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A national is a person who owes allegiance to the U.S. and includes natives of American Samoa and Swains Island. If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application/hiring process, please call (202) 633-6370 or (202) 633-6409 (TTY).

Note: Status candidates and candidates eligible under a special appointing authority (e.g., applicants with a disability or applicants eligible for a special appointing authority for veterans) who wish to be considered under both the agency merit placement program and competitive procedures open to the public through the Delegated Examining Unit (DEU) process, must submit two complete applications. When one application is received from status candidates, it will be considered only under the agency merit placement program. When one application is received from non-status candidates without specifying a desire for consideration under VEOA or a special appointing authority, it will be considered only through the DEU process.

JOB SUMMARY: This position is located in Department of Animal Health (DAH), National Zoological Park. The position will provide technical support within the Veterinary Hospital of the Zoo.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

U.S. Citizenship or U.S. National status required.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: Appointment may be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of a pre-appointment background check and subsequent background investigation. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired and/or you may be terminated after you begin work.

MAJOR DUTIES: Maintains reports of tests and observations. Prepares detailed supporting documentation. Operates a wide variety of equipment. Conducts standardized and non-standardized tests. Records data and takes corrective/preventive action. Maintains pharmacy stock and department supplies. Conducts inventories and coordinates requisition of supplies. Maintains laboratory equipment in accordance with instructions and warranty requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS: GS-07

Applicants must meet A and B or C below:

[A] EDUCATION

Graduate Education: One full year of graduate education leading to a degree in biology/animal science or an internship directly related to the work of the position. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school’s definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. To verify your claim for meeting this criterion, please submit a graduate transcript(s).

OR,

[B] SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must have one year of specialized experience (Federal or other) that is equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal government performing the following duties in a laboratory setting: monitoring and treating animals; preparing food; conducting tests and lab specimens and equipment; recording statistical information; maintaining lab equipment, or ordering supplies.

OR,

[C] COMBINATION OF GRADUATE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

If you have less than the full amount of graduate education described in [A] and less than the amount of experience described in [B], but have a combination of the type of graduate education described in [A] and the type of experience described in [B], you may meet the minimum requirements for the position. The total percentage of education and experience for [A] and [B] must equal at least 100 percent to qualify under this provision. When crediting education that requires specific course work, the number of hours of related courses required are prorated as a proportion of the total education to be used.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the average number of hours per week spent in such employment.

BASIS FOR RATING: In addition to the QUALIFICATIONS described above, applicants will be rated on responses to the Quality Ranking Factors listed below.

How You Will Be Evaluated:

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualification requirements to determine your eligibility for the position. The final numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the Quality Ranking Factors. This score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

Quality Ranking Factors: (Among those who meet the qualification requirements, these factors will be used to determine who are the highest qualified candidates. On a separate sheet of paper, submit a paragraph describing specific experience, education, or training for each of the factors listed .)

1. Ability to perform veterinary technical duties.

2. Ability to operate and maintain basic veterinary medical equipment.

3. Ability to restrain animals.

4. Ability to write non-technical and technical reports.

5. Ability to maintain medical records.

BENEFITS:

The Smithsonian offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. Benefit programs include:

Flexible Spending Accounts (Health & Dependent Care)

Long Term Care Insurance

Retirement Program

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Dental/Vision Insurance

Transit/Commuter Benefits

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

Annual and Sick Leave

Family Friendly Leave

Discounts at Smithsonian Memberships, Shops and Restaurants

Employee Assistance Program

Credit Union

Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center - for Children 3 Months through Kindergarten

For additional information on benefits for Federal employees see: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp

OTHER INFORMATION:

1. If you are a current career or career-conditional Federal employee or former Federal employee who has reinstatement eligibility, you must attach a copy of your latest SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action and/or a copy of the SF-50 that reflects career or career conditional tenure.

2. If you have served on active duty in the U.S. military and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for veterans’ preference. If you are claiming 5-point veterans’ preference, attach a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans’ preference, attach a SF-15 Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference (Revised December 2004) plus the proof required by that form. This form can be found at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf . Veterans who are still in the service may be granted 5 points tentative preference on the basis of information contained in their applications, but they must produce a DD-214 prior to appointment to document entitlement to preference. For more information on Veterans Preference, visit http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetsinfo.asp .

3. You can apply for a non-competitive appointment if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and you are eligible for special appointment such as those authorized for the severely disabled; certain Vietnam era and disabled veterans; returned volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista, etc. Please indicate the type of special appointment you are seeking, if any, on your application and follow all other instructions for applying shown on this announcement.

4. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.

5. All qualification requirements must be met within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM’s web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

6. Relocation expenses may be paid at the discretion of the Smithsonian.

7. All employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.

8. Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the Smithsonian Institution is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected.

9. Review the attached Appendix: Summary of Data Required for the Federal Application to ensure that all items are incorporated in your resume or application.

HOW TO APPLY:

1. To apply for this position, you must provide the following parts:

a. Current resume, an Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612), or other format you choose.

b. Transcripts, if qualifying by education. Unofficial copies are acceptable.

c. Your responses to the Quality Ranking Factors on a separate sheet of paper.

d. Veterans Preference documentation, if applicable.

e. Most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action, if you are a current or former Federal employee.

f. Most recent performance rating.

2. Application materials must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide complete information may result in your not receiving consideration for this position. Your application materials will not be returned. Do not submit original documents that you need in the future.

3. The attached Applicant Survey Form should be completed by all candidates, except Smithsonian Institution employees, and returned with the application. This form is for gathering statistical data and will not be a part of the application.

Applications must be received by the closing date and may be submitted in the following ways:

Mail: Smithsonian Institution, Office of Human Resources, P. O. Box 23772, Capital Gallery Suite 5060 MRC 517 Washington, DC 20026-3772

Fax: (202) 633-6402. You do not need to submit a cover sheet. Write the Announcement Number on all pages faxed.

Hand Deliver or FEDEX: 600 Maryland Avenue SW, Capital Gallery Bldg. Suite 100W Washington, DC 20024

NOTE: Do not send your resume/application materials via e-mail. These will not be accepted.

To obtain information on the Federal Hiring Process, review other Smithsonian vacancies, or obtain an Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612) visit our website at www.si.edu/ohr or www.usajobs.opm.gov .

For further information please call (202) 633-6370 (voice) or (202) 633-6409 (TTY); or email to vacancy.info@si.edu .

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

You will receive an acknowledgement letter in the mail within 7 work days after receipt. After a review of applications is completed usually four or more weeks from the closing date, you may be contacted if your application was referred to the hiring official. All applicants will receive a mail notification on the final outcome of the position.