Microbiologist
What you'd do
This position is located in the Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, Plains Area in Manhattan, KS. In this position, the incumbent will support the work of a Category 1 Scientist within a research program focused on foreign animal disease research and vaccinology.
Major duties
Performs a range of experiments which are designed to provide answers for the specific research problem areas. Performs tests and analyses by applying established analytical methods and procedures or by operating an automated analytical. Reviews pertinent scientific literature and selects methods and procedures most appropriate for the research goals. Maintains equipment and instrumentation in top working condition, performing routine preventative maintenance and minor repairs, and promptly reporting signs of malfunction or need for major repairs. Prepares results of findings from experiments conducted, including initial interpretation of significance to the overall project, for inclusion in manuscripts, technical reports, oral presentations, and progress reports.
What you need to qualify
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. In addition to the Education requirements in the Education section below, all applicants must also meet the following qualification requirements: GS-07 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience assisting with conducting microbiological or molecular biological research; collecting or analyzing microbial samples; maintaining or using scientific equipment; and assisting with managing data related to microbiology. OR Education: Successful completion of one year of progressively higher-level graduate education. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, or Animal Science. OR Superior academic achievement as described in the Education Section Below. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-09 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience performing and planning microbiological or molecular biological experiments and research, using computer software or databases to manage scientific data related to microbiology, and assisting with the preparation of data for scientific reports; OR Education: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree, if related. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, or Animal Science. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. 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. This is a Public Trust Position and requires that the incumbent be a United States Citizen. As a condition of employment, a security background investigation will be conducted, and the incumbent 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. The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) is an animal disease research facility. Its mission is research, diagnosis and vaccinations for animal diseases foreign to the United States (U.S.) for the purpose of protecting American agriculture and domestic food sources from their potentially devastating effects. NBAF is vital to successfully protecting U.S. agriculture from the intentional or non-intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases such as Foot-and- Mouth disease. This position is required to work in a biosafety level 3Ag environment where high threat livestock biologic agents can be transmitted by aerosol. The incumbent must demonstrate the physical and psychological capability to conduct normal duties that are appropriate to their position. To prevent the transmission of disease out of biocontainment and retention of the position, the incumbent must meet the following medical standards in a preemployment medical examination conducted after the receipt of a preliminary job offer and on a periodic basis: Ability to shower out of biocontainment one or more times per day and: Not have any skin condition which would prevent this; Body piercings must be able to be removed prior to entry; External medical assist devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering biocontainment, and the individual must still be able to shower out safely without assistance. Ability to follow instructions regarding decontamination from biocontainment. Any medical condition which could create an unsafe environment for the individual or his/her co-workers, such as: Insufficient control of a medical disorder which could result in sudden loss of consciousness; Inadequate vision and hearing required for safety in a laboratory environment. Medical confidentiality will be maintained by the examining physician and only fitness (or unfit) for duty determination will be indicated. The incumbent will also be required to pass periodic fitness for duty physicals. In addition, a medical clearance will be required in the event that it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator is required. Duties of this position may also require: Due to chemical and biological aerosol hazards the individual must meet the medical requirements to wear an air purifying respirator and be entered into the NBAF Respiratory Protection Program. (may not apply depending on the duties of the position) Due to potential exposure to zoonotic agents and recommendations of CDC and OSHA the individual must also be vaccinated for rabies or demonstrate a protective titer and also be currently vaccinated for tetanus and human influenza. (may not apply depending on the duties of the position) A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities. For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF which are transmissible to humans may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness under the provision of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended 21 USC 321-392. Where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for investigational purposes, the incumbent will be advised that such immunization is voluntary. Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at NBAF, Biological Safety Regulations specify a personal quarantine for employees working in BSL-3 biocontainment. As a condition for employment, all personnel entering the BSL-3 biocontainment facilities at NBAF shall not be in contact with specific susceptible animals and their premises for a period of five (5) days after leaving biocontainment. Currently, restricted species are cattle, sheep, goats, deer, other ruminants, and swine. Contact with horses, birds (agricultural and pet birds) and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working with or near contagious agents affecting these species. Restricted livestock or other restricted animals may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where the quarantine cannot be enforced. Employees who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or subject to other disciplinary actions.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.