Duties

The Biological Science Laboratory Technician works in the Department of Wildlife Health Sciences, Smithsonian National Zoological Park to coordinate and manage testing, laboratory duties, and support operations for two veterinary hospitals. The technician is primarily responsible for performing daily clinical pathology testing and laboratory operations for collection animals.

In this position you will:

• Perform veterinary laboratory medicine analysis of samples to determine results in several disciplines including hematology, clinical biochemistry, urinalysis, parasitology, cytology, and clinical serology.
• Implement body-fluid analysis including cell count, chemical analysis, cytospin and staining for cytological evaluation by the pathologist.
• Evaluate the quality and validity of all samples and must be familiar with manual and automated cell methods for samples submitted for hematological analysis.
• Assist with record keeping for testing, maintains laboratory databases utilizing the laboratory database system (LIS), and tracks specimen results.
• Operate laboratory instruments and is responsible for all equipment monthly calibration, daily quality control, troubleshooting, and maintenance.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS:

For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution's Frequently Asked Questions .

This position requires extended periods of standing and microscope use in a lab.

The laboratory workers will be required to wear the appropriate apparel including surgical masks, disposable garments, foot covers, and gloves. When involved in working with potentially hazardous pathogenic microorganisms.

Emergency medical situations might require occasionally some irregular hours or staying past assigned scheduled hours.

Tour of duty will be structured as to provide seven day a Week laboratory coverage.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-08 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system. For this position Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated working in a clinical pathology laboratory, performing activities such as: assisting with the prosection/dissection of dead, non-preserved animals; collecting tissue samples, working with formalin fixed tissues, being exposed to potentially bio-hazardous material; working with laboratory instruments, entering in data entry, organizing/tracking samples, writing reports, maintaining a laboratory, and disinfecting.

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.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Qualification requirements must be met by the job announcement closing date.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on OPM website .

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This position is included in the bargaining unit.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Office of Human Resources. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

• Position title;
• Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
• Agency; and,
• Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.

Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.