Supervisory Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Animal)
Summary
Employee will serve as a Supervisory Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Animal) within the Office of Research and Development (ORD), Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) located at the Veterans Affairs New Mexico Healthcare System in Albuquerque, NM.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***
The primary purpose of this position is responsible for the daily operator in all departmental areas, ascertain proper maintenance and enforce animal care standards as defined by regulations regarding laboratory animals. Duties will include, but may not be limited to the following:
- Issues and monitors instructions presented by research investigators, recognizes and improves existing VMU conditions. Plans for future expansion or reduction of animal populations, ancillary or professional personnel, supplies, and equipment utilizing skill in all aspects of animal husbandry of various common species of research animals.
- Supervises employees and provides technical information on animal regulations, caging, feeding requirements, equipment, alternative animal models, modification or creation of new caging or equipment to meet the demands of research projects.
- Establishes an animal technician training program; provides training for staff in animal husbandry, surgical and laboratory procedures, administration, and preventive medicine, etc.
- Acts as the Research Chemical Hygiene Officer to provide technical guidance in the development and implementation of the provisions of the plan, which sets for the Chemical Hygiene plans, procedures, equipment, personal protective equipment and work practices that protect employees from health hazards by hazardous chemical used in the workplace.
- Serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Research Safety, Biosafety and Security, applying leadership abilities to provide a safe workplace.
- Manages and directs the daily activities of the VMU independently. Directs regulatory compliance, the veterinarian, the Animal Studies Subcommittee members, the USDA Veterinary Inspector, or the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science Council of Accreditation, and reporting actions accomplished to Chief, Research Administration.
- Creates policies and procedures based on guidelines from the Animal Welfare Act, Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Chemical Hygiene Plan/Safety Manual, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulations, Publications in medical journals, Directives, Station Policies, and OSHA regulations.
- Projects supply requirements, animal and equipment procurement. Submits animal duration inventory reports and other pertinent data to facilitate monetary compensation for VMU operations. Record keeping must be detailed, complete and accurate to properly reflect cost accounting expenditures.
- Perform other duties, as necessary.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ([click to reveal website link]). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires one 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 position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) 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 includes: 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. 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.
In addition to the basic occupational experience described above for entry level positions; to qualify for this GS-10 grade level, specialized experience includes working as a Veterinary Technician in a research veterinary medical unit supervising/leading staff and providing training on animal regulations, caging, feeding requirements, equipment, alternative animal models, modification/creation of new caging or equipment, and laboratory safety to meet the demands of research projects; and managing supply requirements, animal and equipment procurement. (NOTE: Resume must clearly detail experience performed. We will not make assumptions regarding experience. See the announcement duties section for additional position details.) OR
EDUCATION (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED):Successfully completed two and half years (2½) of Graduate level education may be substituted for the specialized experience only in those instances where the education is directly related to the position.OR
COMBINATION (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED):Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience are also qualifying. Both education and experience must be directly related to the position to be creditable.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS: Employee must possess dexterity, as well as the ability to lift objects weighing 50 pounds; requires walking, bending, stooping, and standing. Employee is exposed to minimum radiation exposure, biohazards, and contact with caustic cleaning chemicals. High noise levels in certain animal rooms, as well as the cage cleaning machine may be experienced. Exposure to bites, scratches, kicks, or diseases due to the unpredictable nature of animals is a potential occupational hazard.
You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
- Conflict Management
- Influencing/Negotiating
- Manages Resources
- Partnering
- Planning and Evaluating
IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at [click to reveal website link].
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: [click to reveal website link]. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.