Microbiologist

Summary

As a Microbiologist at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, you will be responsible for organizing and managing a wide variety of standard techniques in performing diagnostic tests, reagent production, developmental studies, and training assignments related to animal pathogens significant to the assigned Section.

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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:
• Contributes to rapid and accurate virus detection and identification, applies good laboratory practices, complies with animal welfare, biosafety, biosecurity, and Select Agent program regulations.
• Performs techniques for isolation and identification of viruses and serologic procedures for the detection of antibodies per official Standard Operating Procedures.
• Performs molecular techniques such as real-time (reverse transcription)-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR/RRT-PCR).
• Performs molecular techniques to amplify and sequence viral nucleic acid and utilizes software to assemble and analyze partial and whole genome sequence data.
• Characterizes viruses by phenotype, genotype, and virulence by selecting physical, chemical, and biologic tests, including animal inoculation. Maintains a stock of quality diagnostic reagents.
• Helps direct Unit assigned technician work, organize testing schedules, provide training, ensure timely completion of diagnostic testing and compliance with the quality management system.
• Implements improved techniques, participates in method validation for viral disease diagnosis, implements experimental designs for developmental projects.
• Contributes to review and approval of cases within the laboratory information management system and consistent with quality management guidelines to release reports in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates oral and written communication skills, teamwork, maintain professional relationships, present at meetings, contribute to manuscripts for publication, conduct training sessions.

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.
• 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 [click to reveal website link]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.
• Immunization against diseases being studied which are transmissible to humans may be required.
• Criminal Justice Information Services database check required for work involving Biological Select Agents and Toxins.
• The employee is restricted from contact with certain species of animals for a week after working in the lab.

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.

FOR THE GS-9 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-7 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, including generation of accurate written reports.
• Maintaining and following Standard Operating Procedures for test methods to ensure consistent and accurate testing.
• Consulting and collaborating with technical, scientific and supervisory staff to review test results for validity, troubleshoot testing and resolve technical issues using written documentation and verbal consultation.

OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science or related fields.

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-9 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..
• If you are selected, you will be placed under a career development plan and may be non-competitively promoted. Promotion is not guaranteed.
• Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: 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.
• Position may require work in biocontainment and/or hazardous areas, showering in and out of biocontainment areas one or more times per day.
• The work requires continual standing, bending, stooping and reaching; frequent lifting, carrying and moving of objects up to 50 pounds.
• Workload during a disease outbreak may require considerable overtime.
• Regular duties may involve mandatory participation in rotating overtime work schedules, and import/export or other time-sensitive testing may be required in the evenings, on weekends, and holidays.
• The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations.

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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.