Summary

This position is located with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Bio and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF), Zoonotic and Emerging Disease Research Unit Manhattan, Kansas.

Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. The grade level is limited only by the individual's demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology. *Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel.

Duties

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• Identify, propose, and perform independent and collaborative research to achieve the research objectives.
• Provide input into the scheduling and conducting of inspections and/or surveys of various biosafety levels (BSL-2, BSL-3, BSL-3+, BSL-3Ag, BSL4 and BSL4Ag containment) laboratory and support service areas of NBAF.
• Provide unique leadership and research skills to contribute to the identification, description, and characterization of the effects of zoonotic pathogens in livestock on the host and the hosts' immune response to the pathogens.
• Organize research, establish research priorities, lead in planning research projects, supervise execution of research, evaluate and review research, lead discussions on the interpretation of results, and report and publish research progress.
• Provide unique leadership and research skills to contribute to the identification, description, and characterization of the effects of zoonotic and emerging diseases.
• Serve as a scientist working on the National Program 103 animal health projects.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Must be registered and accepted into the Select Agent and Toxin program mandated by the Center for Disease Control/United States Department of Agriculture as appropriate to the position's assignments.
• A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities
• Vaccine(s) required.
• May be required to pass periodic fitness for duty physicals.
• Require pre-employment medical examination.
• As a condition for employment, all personnel entering these areas at NBAF shall not be in contact with specific susceptible animals and their premises away from NBAF for a period of five (5) days after leaving the area.
• Participation in and adherence to the facility's Occupational Health Program and Participation in and adherence to the facility's Personal Reliability Program.
• SAC and Full background investigations required for positions working with BSL-3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL-3/BSL- facilities.
• Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment approval is required.
• Pre-employment and random testing of substances of abuse. This is a Drug Testing Designated Position.
• Supervisory Responsibilities (EEO Statement).
• Special physical requirements and demands.

Qualifications

In addition to the Education requirements in the Education section below. Applicants must also meet the following requirements:

GS-12 Grade Level

Applicants must have one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 level include independently implementing scientific principles, methods and processes to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry into animal diseases and host-pathogen relationships dealing with the zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses.

OR

Education (For 0403 Series Only): Completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience (For 0403 Series Only): Possess a combination of Ph.D. level education and specialized experience as described above.

OR

Education (For 0701 Series Only): Completed a master's degree in an area of specialization, including but not limited to, animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.

OR

Residency/Post-Graduate Training Programs (For 0701 Series Only): Completed two years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position such as veterinary microbiology, immunology, or pathology.

GS-13 Grade Level

Applicants must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-13 level include experience in animal and/or arthropod work collecting samples for molecular analysis in compliance with US government animal welfare regulations and experience independently researching the molecular virology of zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses as evidenced through publications.

OR

Education (For 0701 Series Only): Completed a Ph.D. degree in an area of specialization, including but not limited to, animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.

OR

Residency/Post-Graduate Training Programs (For 0701 Series Only) Completed three years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position such as veterinary microbiology, immunology, or pathology.

OR

Board Certification (For 0701 Series Only): Completed all requirements for a Diplomate status in an American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) recognized specialty organization. Such specialties may include, but are not limited to, veterinary toxicology, laboratory animal medicine, poultry veterinary medicine, theriogenology, veterinary anesthesiology, veterinary behaviorists, veterinary clinical pharmacology, veterinary dermatology, veterinary emergency and critical care, veterinary internal medicine, veterinary microbiology, veterinary nutrition, veterinary ophthalmology, veterinary pathology, veterinary preventive medicine, veterinary radiology, veterinary medicine, and veterinary dentistry.

GS-14 Grade Level (For Both Series)

Applicants must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-14 level include leading the planning and implementation of molecular virology-based study against zoonotic arthropod-borne virus-based diseases with accomplishments in virology and host-vector-pathogen interactions as demonstrated in scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, books, or similar scientific literature.

GS-15 Grade Level (For Both Series)

Applicants must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-15 level include planning, conducting, and leading a collaborative research program focused on health in multiple agricultural animal species; serving as editor or co-editor of peer-reviewed journals; presenting research findings at domestic and international scientific meetings.

To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications.

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

Please see below for education qualification requirement information.

Education

Basic Education Requirements - Microbiology Series 0403 (For All Grades)

Degree: microbiology or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent. Note: Transcripts must be submitted at the time of application as proof of meeting the education requirement.

OR

Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Note: Transcripts must be submitted at the time of application as proof of meeting the education requirement.

Graduate Education: Microbiology or specific areas of study such as bacteriology, virology, mycology, algology, protozoology, parasitology, immunology, serology, microbial genetics, or soil microbiology; or specific applied fields of microbiology such as clinical and public health microbiology, food technology, production processes, industrial fermentation, pollution, etc. Graduate study in related fields such as experimental pathology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, biochemistry, animal or plant physiology, genetics, plant pathology, and insect disease control, may also be pertinent, provided it has direct application to microbiological work.

Evaluation of Education: Microbiology is a broad field of science encompassing a number of scientific disciplines or areas of science, the fields in which this science is applied, and related fields where the work is concerned with or involves microbiology. The scientific disciplines or areas of this science include bacteriology, immunology, serology, algology, mycology, parasitology, protozoology, rickettsiology, tissue culture, virology, and similar disciplines or areas of science. The applied fields include environmental, food, dairy, soil, industrial, public health, clinical, and agricultural microbiology, and similar areas in which microbiology is applied. Related fields include taxonomy and systematics, plant, animal, or human physiology or pathology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, ecology, and similar areas of science where the work is directly related or applies to microbiology.

Evaluation of Experience: For the GS-11 and higher grade levels of such specialized positions, the experience must have been sufficiently specialized to insure adequate familiarity with the area of specialization or applied field of microbiology, or have direct application in the area for which the applicant is being considered.

Basic Education Requirements - Veterinary Medical Science Series 0701 (For All Grades)

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), obtained at a school or college of veterinary medical accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA). The AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org, has a listing of all AVMA-accredited veterinary medical schools. Note: Transcripts must be submitted at the time of application.

OR

Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools that are not accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (Refer to AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org for information about schools in this category) must meet one of the requirements:

• Proof of certification of their final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG);
• Possession of a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Ri