1. The incumbent operates the clinical chemistry instrument & is responsible for monthly calibration, daily quality control, troubleshooting, maintenance and the communication with technical service representatives when problems arise. Ability to evaluate results to insure the proper adaptation of methods is an integral part of this position. The filtration of water for use in the laboratory is also part of the incumbent’s duties.

  2. The incumbent performs water analysis for coliform bacteria of the marine mammal and other pools from the Zoo.

  3. The incumbent performs urinalysis techniques including chemical and microscopic evaluations and appropriate quality control measures. Ability to identify cells, crystals, bacteria and artifacts is essential.

  4. The incumbent must be familiar with microscopy. The incumbent performs microscopic direct examination of fecals to identify protozoa and fecal floatation parasitology screens using the Zinc Sulfate centrifugation floatation or other methods. The incumbent reads the screens and identifies parasites, reporting results.

  5. The incumbent creates and maintains databases by entering results, updates the databases as necessary, and tracks specimens and results as needed. The incumbent works with various computer programs such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word, along with other DOS and internet-based programs currently used in the laboratory.

  6. The incumbent is responsible for keeping all equipment used in the laboratory in good, working condition including analyzers, centrifuges, rockers, as well as pipettes and other smaller instruments. Monitoring of the temperatures of freezers, incubators and water baths in the laboratory is also the incumbent’s duty. The incumbent assists in the management of the laboratory’s slide and serum bank collection including the cleaning, labeling and filing of slides and maintaining applicable databases. Duties include the preparation of samples and documentation necessary for shipping samples to reference labs. This includes potential biohazard and chemical hazard shipping. All biohazard and chemical hazardous materials are disposed of according to the Smithsonian’s policies.


  1. Possession of a licensed, registered, or certified veterinary technician (LVT, RVT or CVT) certificate or certification as a medical technologist is required.

  2. This position requires considerable walking, standing, heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs.), stooping, and other types of physical effort and dexterity in moving and distributing animals, animal feed, cage materials, equipment, and in opening and closing cage doors and gates. Although safety measures are taken, there is always a hazard of injury in working with exotic and unpredictable animals, which may be harboring zoonotic infections.


This position is federal GS-09, salary $56,233- $73,105. Benefits package is included.

To apply please see the official announcement on search for 513437500 or Biological Science Laboratory Technician in Washington, DC

Applications will be accepted until 09 November 2018.

Salary GS-09