Microbiologist
What you'd do
This position is located on at United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Services (ARS), The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), located in Manhattan, Kansas. In this position, you will be providing technical and scientific support analyzing microbiological substances from microorganisms for biological development activities; and maintaining laboratory notebooks and documentation of procedures and findings.
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 system according to established operating procedures. Reviews pertinent scientific literature and selects methods and procedures most appropriate for the research goals, including modifying protocols when necessary to optimize the collection of usable data. 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 meeting the basic education requirement in the Education Section below, all applicants must also meet the following minimum qualification requirements: 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, or its non-Federal equivalent that included experience participating in microbiological and chemical principle Practices; microbiological research to collect usable data; performing recurring tests and analyses; and operating standard microbiological laboratory equipment. OR Education: Two 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, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or Public Health. OR Successful combination of specialized experience and graduate level education. GS-11 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-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 which is directly related to the work of this position, or its non-Federal equivalent that included experience independently conducting microbiological methods and procedures; obtaining accurate and valid results when analyzing and characterizing components and documenting results; and operating and maintaining analytical instruments to perform measurements. OR Education: Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, if related. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or Public Health. OR Successful combination of specialized experience and graduate level education. 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. Working Environment: Work is located in a high containment facility. Work may involve discomforts such as having to spend long periods of time on concrete or slippery floors, exposure to bites, scratches, kicks, disagreeable odors, allergens, and animal wastes from diseased or distressed animals. In addition, the work may be in closely confined rooms and areas as well as outside areas. The incumbent works in all kinds of weather or in situations where temperature variance is considerable including long periods in the hot sun, and sometimes chilly or rainy weathers, exposed to dirt, dust, mud and sometimes chemical sprays and dusts. Works on weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings, as required. 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 pre- employment 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; 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 or not impede the ability to enter 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; and 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 may also be required to pass periodic fitness for duty physicals. In addition, a medical clearance will be required when it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator or other respiratory protection is required. 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. Individuals who are already vaccinated or do not wish to receive the investigational vaccines will be asked to sign a declination form, assuming the risk of working with the viruses without vaccination. 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, 3 enhanced, 3 Ag and 4 biocontainment. As a condition for employment, all personnel entering the BSL-3 or higher biocontainment facilities 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 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 quarantine cannot be enforced. Employees who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or subject to other disciplinary action. Additionally, an approved SRA investigation is required for access to select agent registered spaces. Incumbent may be required to receive extra vaccinations to work on specific projects, submit to blood tests, and a respiratory/pulmonary function test. Ability to pass a physical examination for the following: Ability to lift 75 lbs. with occasional lifts of 100 pounds. Respirator fit resting required.
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