Waited several months to hear from them (mostly due to government shutdown). The process once started felt rushed (impending possible second shutdown). I had an interview scheduled with the hiring manager; then he realized HR needed to be included and my interview was rescheduled to include a quick phone interview before the in-person. Everything had to be scheduled within a week and I had very little options for available times. I did manage to complete the phone interview over a lunch break at my current job and then my in-person interview was turned into a second phone interview when the weather was bad (no time before the possible second govt shutdown to reschedule). I would say both interviews went well. It was mainly a discussion about my experience and work style. I was able to speak to both of the lead scientists as well as another lab technician that I would have been working with. They answered all of my questions about the position.

It was a phone interview, in which I spoke directly to my eventual supervisors. It was cordial and informative. The USDA cannot provide on-sight interviews and thus it is usually only by phone. The interview involved both the scientist I would work directly with as well as our unit research leader. The interview does not often provide a full understanding of the personality of the person you end up working for.