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United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Dairy Program, Federal Milk Market Administrator falls under the Excepted Service. This position will be filled in the 1312 Laboratory Technician series.

Duties

As the Laboratory Technician in this position, you will:

– Perform routine analyses of milk and fluid milk products for fat, protein, solids, lactose, milk urea nitrogen, freezing point depression, and somatic cell counts in the laboratory.
– Use analytical wet chemistry, ether extraction, Kjeldahl analysis, enzymatic assays, direct microscopic counts, flow cytometry, and infrared spectroscopy methods to determine milk content.
– Analyze data using spreadsheet and graphical analysis to produce test reports.
– Perform routine laboratory tasks necessary for the preparation and shipment of control milk standards used for checking the accuracy of infrared milk analyzers.
– Visit farms, dairy plants, milk hauler facilities and stores to obtain supplies of milk and milk samples.
– Interact with dairy industry representatives to coordinate dairy testing.
– Conduct routine on-site evaluations of test procedures used at dairy industry laboratories and prepare reports based on results and observations.
– Participate in the quality management system.
– Maintain dairy lab equipment and an orderly, safe laboratory environment.

NOTE: This position falls under pay bands MA 10-15. Selectee’s pay will be set between the MA 11-12 pay bands based on years of education and/or experience.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen
• You will be required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Legal and regulatory guidance below).
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• There is a required one-year probationary period.
• This is a non-bargaining unit position.
• The selectee’s pay will be set between pay bands MA 11 – 12
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record (copy of driving record may be requested)
• Relocation expense is not paid, applicants are responsible for any relocation expenses.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Safely work in a laboratory environment and milk house on slippery floors with varying temperatures, noise levels, and smells.
• Occasional overtime required.
• Regular local travel and infrequent overnight travel required. Mileage, lodging and per diem paid as applicable.
• Regular and recurring handling of hazardous chemicals.
• You may be required to pass a physical exam prior to the start of employment at the employer’s expense.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application.

Professional Experience Qualification Requirements: Applicants must have 2 1/2 years or more of general experience obtained in a laboratory or field environment. This experience is in one of the physical sciences or a closely related discipline which provided some of the basic knowledge or skills involved in one or more of the following: (1) gathering, recording, and assembling scientific data; (2) using scientific instruments to measure degrees, weights, strengths, etc.; (3) setting up and operating test methods; and (4) evaluating quantitative data. The guidelines used to perform the work are specific and detailed and the work is repetitious.

OR

Education: Applicants must have successfully completed studies in an accredited college or university above the high school level to substitute for general experience at the rate of 1 year of undergraduate education (i.e., 30 semester or 45 quarter hours) for 1 year of general experience (up to a maximum of 3 years of undergraduate education for 3 years of general experience) Note: 2 1/2 years of undergraduate education meets the requirement for MA-11, and 3 years of undergraduate education meets the requirement for MA-12.

Part-time or unpaid experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Volunteer or unpaid experience: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education Requirements: You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

Foreign education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information click here. You must provide translated transcripts.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made from this announcement.

Dairy Program offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.

If you receive a tentative offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The applicant must be a high-school graduate, 18 years of age or older, have a valid driver license, and provide proof of insurability. You must be a U.S. citizen. Males born after 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; or may be fired after you begin work; and you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361. Privacy Act Notice (PL93-579)

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