Summary

If you are an exceptionally talented, knowledgeable, and motivated individual with experience in providing laboratory assistance to one or more senior investigators, performing various laboratory experiments in support of research programs, AND you want to play a significant role in a dynamic organization, then consider joining the NIH Office of Research Services! For more information, visit http://ors.od.nih.gov

Duties

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• Serves as a Health Scientist and exercises responsibility for providing scientific and technical expertise for a broad range of safety and occupational health programs involving biosafety, including high containment laboratories.
• Provides leadership for the development of Biorisk Management syllabuses and course content, and delivers instructional content via multiple platforms to various intended audiences.
• Provides emergency support, advice on remedial action, and strategies for preventing and/or intervening in emergency situations.
• Works with the NIH Polio Containment Program manager to provide guidance or implementation on policy, prepare reports for documentation of depleted potentially infectious material inventory, and update policy.
• Researches, assesses, investigates, analyzes, and evaluates health and safety literature, records, activities, and strategies to ensure compliance and to provide guidance, consultation, and recommendations on prevention and intervention.
• Regularly consults and confers with scientists and subject matter experts in government, industry, and academia to keep up to date with developments and initiatives in occupational safety and health and biomedical research in general.
• Leads and participates in the implementation of policies and procedures pertaining to Branch programs and functions that are intended to eliminate and control hazards and establish safe and healthful work environments.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
• Position requires Education.
• Requires long periods of standing and bending when completing facility/lab surveys and risk assessments.
• Requires use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including respiratory protection and enrollment into the Animal Exposure Program.
• If selected, you will be tested for illegal drug use; and during employment you will be subject to random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident drug testing. Employment is contingent on a negative drug test result.
• If selected, must be able to serve as Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) for the Select Agent Program and ensures compliance with Federal Select Agent Program requirements codified in 42 CFR Part 73, 7 CFR Part 331, and 9 CFR Part 121.
• If selected, required to participate and meet all requirements of the NIH Biological Surety Program. (cont.)
• Tier 3 clearance, medical clearance which includes the animal exposure program, respiratory protection program and clearance for work with/near infectious materials and annual behavioral health assessments are included in the NIH BSP.
• If selected, must obtain a positive FBI Security Risk Assessment (SRA) in compliance with 7 CFR Part 331; 9 CFR Part 121; and 42 CFR Part 73.
• If selected, will be required to gain/maintain access to BSL 3, BSL 4, and associated animal facilities and/or labs.
• Experience with safety oversight for BSL3 and BSL4 facilities preferred.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for a Health Scientist, GS-0601 position, you must have completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree or graduate higher-level degree with major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

ADDITIONALLY

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level you must meet one of the following requirements:

A. You must demonstrate in your resume that you have 1 (one) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in the Federal Government obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Providing scientific and technical support for assigned portions of biosafety and Select Agent programs; 2) Researching information involving select agents and toxins; 3) Assisting in preparing reports and documentation on safety programs for research on biodefense and infectious diseases.

-OR-

B. You have completed 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field.

-OR-

C. You have a combination of graduate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 level, you must meet the following requirement:

You must demonstrate in your resume that you have 1 (one) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Government obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Providing scientific and technical support for the planning and management of biosafety and Select Agent programs; 2) Providing guidance on policies and the use of select agents and toxins in biomedical research; 3) Preparing reports and documentation on safety programs for research on biodefense and infectious diseases; 4) Participating in the implementation of policies and procedures related to biosafety and healthful work environments.

To qualify for this position at the GS-13 level, you must meet the following requirement:

You must demonstrate in your resume that you have 1 (one) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal Government obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Planning, coordinating and implementing activities for biosafety and Select Agent programs; 2) Analyzing policies and reviewing the use of select agents and toxins in biomedical research; 3) Evaluating reports and documentation on safety programs for research on biodefense and infectious diseases; 4) Implementing policies and procedures related to biosafety and healthful work environments.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay. Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply:

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

• This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
• PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.
• Visit our Help Applying page for helpful information on the application process.
• Military Spouses selected from this announcement will remain in their current duty location (i.e., the official duty station of the military service member.
• If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: Reasonable Accommodation.
• We may make additional selections for similar positions within the commuting area(s) of the locations listed through this vacancy announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s). Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions.
• If selected, you may be eligible to receive a salary above the minimum based on superior qualifications and/or a special need of the Government for your services. This applies to employees paid under the General Schedule (GS) and Federal Wage System (FWS) pay systems and is at the discretion of the hiring manager. A salary above the minimum must be approved before the appointment.
• NIH may repay certain outstanding Federally insured student loans to facilitate the recruitment and retention of highly qualified people. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
• A newly appointed or reappointed employee may receive service credit for prior work experience or active-duty uniformed service that otherwise would not be creditable for the purpose of determining his or her annual leave accrual rate. All creditable service must be directly related to the duties of the position being filled and decisions to allow for such credit must be finalized prior to the selectee's entrance on duty. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.