This position is located in Fort Collins, Colorado at the National Wildlife Research Center and will support the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Project, which aims to develop and optimize methods and tools for the management of CWD in free-ranging cervids.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Collect and preserve biological samples (e.g., biopsy, necropsy, blood samples, swabs, etc.). Assist Animal Care staff with animal husbandry and research procedures. Prepare biological samples (e.g., tissue, blood, feces) for evaluation, both diagnostic and molecular. Conduct CWD assays in a BSL2 laboratory, including but not limited to western blot, IHC, RT-QuIC, ELISA, and preparation of recombinant truncated prion protein. Perform RNA/DNA extraction, PCR, and library prep work in a molecular laboratory. Record and maintain animal information in databases and spreadsheets. Ship, receive, and archive biological samples. Assist with laboratory maintenance duties, including hazardous waste disposal, biohazardous waste disposal. Assist with wildlife field research and coordinate transfer of wildlife samples from the field to the lab.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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 E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Successful completion of one-year trial period.
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• As a condition of employment, the rabies pre-exposure vaccination series (or current documentation of adequate rabies antibody titer from an accredited lab) is required.
• The incumbent must be physical able to do activities involving lifting, carrying, pushing, building, climbing, and walking under conditions ranging from easy to adverse.
• Animal handling may require a degree of physical agility and dexterity as well as applied restraint.
• Working long hours will sometimes be necessary, including nights and weekends.
• The skilled operation of government owned or lease vehicles in remote locations of various types of terrain under adverse weather conditions are essential.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience working with infectious agents in Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory settings. Experience handling laboratory animals or wildlife in field settings for research purposes. Experience conducting research studies and keeping detailed records of results and observations. OR Successfully completed at least one full year of graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or equivalent) in a degree program directly related to the work of this position as described in the vacancy announcement. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: 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-07 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.

Contacts

• Address Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: APHIS Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]