Laboratory Technician
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT # 25-04
Position Title, Series, & Grade: Laboratory Technician, MA-1312, MA 10-12 (This is not equivalent to GS pay schedule)
Salary Range: $37,494 - $61,574 Base (does not include locality pay – locality will be adjusted accordingly for each location). Salary commensurate with qualifications.
Promotion Potential: MA-15
Opening Date: August 11, 2025 Closing Date: August 15, 2025
Duty Location:
- Lebanon, NH (2 vacancies);
- Dallas, TX (2 vacancies);
- Brunswick, OH (1 vacancy)
Area of Consideration: The local commuting area of the duty locations listed (No Relocation Expenses Paid)
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The Federal Milk Market Administrator is an excepted service agency under the Schedule A, 213.3113 (f)(4) hiring process. The objective of a Federal Milk Market Administrator’s office is to administer the terms and provisions of regulations referred to as a federal milk order. Federal milk orders establish minimum prices that regulated dairy plants and milk handlers must pay Grade A dairy farmers for milk, based on how the milk is used. The milk order requires that these payments be pooled so that dairy farmers under an order are paid an average price for their milk, regardless of how it is used.
Primary Duties of the Position:
- Perform routine laboratory tasks necessary for the preparation and shipment of control milk for in-house as well as industry testing.
- Perform routine analyses of milk and fluid milk products for fat, true protein, total solids, lactose, milk urea nitrogen, freezing point depression, and somatic cell counts in the laboratory using both wet chemical methods and instrumentation.
- Visit farms, dairy plants, milk hauler facilities and stores to obtain supplies of milk and milk samples (if applicable).
- Conduct routine on-site evaluations of test procedures used at dairy industry laboratories.
- Assist in operating metering equipment to verify and/or adjust the accuracy of bulk milk holding tanks at dairy farms (if applicable).
- Prepare laboratory reports based on test results and observations.
- Maintain all documents in the quality management system.
- Follow established quality and safety protocols for laboratory and field duties.
- Represent the Market Administrator’s office in contact with the dairy industry.
Qualification Requirements:
Applicants must have 2 years or more of general experience obtained in a laboratory or field environment. This experience may have been obtained in a laboratory or field environment 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 years of undergraduate education meets the requirement for MA-10, and 2 ½ years of undergraduate education meets the requirement for MA-11.
How you will be Evaluated:
All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any specialized experience, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, your application is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used. Applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your qualification. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
Special Requirements:
- Must be a United States citizen.
- Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
- Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
- Subject to satisfactory completion of a one-year probationary period.
- Must be able to regularly lift 50 pounds.
- You may be required to pass a physical exam prior to the start of employment at the employer's expense.
Application Procedures:
Please submit requested information via email on or before the deadline to HR@fmmacentral.com. Applicants must submit copies of their unofficial college transcripts and detailed resume, which includes personal contact information, education history, work history, and military history. Please reference the Job Announcement Number and Location to which you are applying in your application documents. Complete applications must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on August 15, 2025.
Failure to submit all required documents will result in elimination from consideration. All application material must be emailed by the closing date.
To claim veterans’ preference, veterans are required to provide a copy of their DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from active Duty. Veterans with service-connected disability and others claiming 10-point preference are required to submit form SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans’ Preference. (Standard forms may be downloaded at OPM’s website http://www.opm.gov/forms/standard-forms/.) These documents are required & must be submitted when applying for the position in order to receive veterans’ preference consideration in the hiring process.
Additional Information:
Additional selections may be made from this announcement.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of appointment and work schedule. They include retirement plan, health and life insurance, Thrift Savings Plan (Government 401(k)) with matching contributions, paid holidays, vacation & sick leave. Optional programs include dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts (health and dependent care), and mass transit/van pool reimbursement.
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Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
New employee probationary period
Reasonable accommodation policy
Signature and false statements
Social security number request
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