Summary

As a supervisory microbiologist at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), you will be responsible for leading a team of scientists in a world reference veterinary diagnostic laboratory that specializes in high-impact transboundary animal diseases affecting livestock.

Duties

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• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Assures work output of unit is of an acceptable quality and quantity; establishes standards of performance for the unit; prioritizes work to meet the obligations of NVSL
• Coordinates with other unit supervisors and managers to ensure technical staff is available when workloads require temporary shifts in personnel across units.
• Maintains and coordinates a rapid response structure within the unit so questions or issues associated with the unit can be responded to within 2 hours.
• Maintains a high level of competency and knowledge about the methods performed within the unit; and advises and supports employees so solutions are identified when technical challenges arise within the unit.
• Keeps abreast of the scientific, regulatory and commercial developments that could impact or improve the methods performed in the unit.
• Actively identifies and creates plans to address areas within the unit needing method development or workflow improvements.
• Provides technical support to the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), Veterinary Services, other agencies within APHIS, World Organization for Animal Heath (OIE), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) as directed by NVSL.
• Plans and directs the quality assurance activities of the unit in a manner that is consistent with the overall NVSL quality management system's policies and goals.
• Ensures that all section personnel working with select agents comply with the provisions of 9 CFR Part 121 Possession, use, and transfer of select agents and toxins.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male 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.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
• Approximately 30 percent of the work is performed in a biological safety cabinet. Considerable dexterity of the hands is required.
• Some lifting (up to 50 pounds) is required.
• The work involves the risk of exposure to viruses and pathogens as well as potential toxic, carcinogenic, explosive, and corrosive chemicals.
• Protective devices such as facial masks, safety glasses, and latex or nitrile gloves are used.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

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.

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. In addition to the basic requirement above, applicants must also meet the following:

FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-9 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Providing technical advice to researchers, internal and external customers through written and verbal communications.
• Coordinating, with assistance of section leadership, the prioritization and assignment of activities such as but not limited to diagnostic testing, reagent production, proficiency testing, or case reporting.
• Designing and analyzing studies to characterize diagnostic assays or antigens including but not limited to DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, sequencing, design of primers and probes and/or bacterial isolation.
• Recognizing unusual problems, responses, and results that may arise from procedural error or equipment problems, and possesses the ability to resolve such situations independently.
• Writing, reviewing, and approving reports, test validation documents, or standard operating procedures.

OR

3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Animal Science, Biology, Molecular Biology; Immunology; Virology or or other degree related to this position.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required if:

• This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
• You are qualifying for the position based on education.
• You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
• This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Additional information

• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100
• First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
• Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

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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.

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.