The National Animal Disease Center (NADC), USDA, ARS, located in Ames, Iowa, is a research institution with state-of-the-art biocontainment facilities for the study of endemic animal diseases of livestock that threaten U.S. agriculture and public health. NADC has biosafety level (BSL) 2 and 3 containment laboratories and animal facilities that allow work with high-risk pathogens. The position is located in the Office of the Director and the incumbent serves as Deputy Director.

Duties

Serves with the NADC Director in planning and program development of the overall NADC and National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH) missions, goals, and policies. Provides vision, foster stakeholder base, and address stakeholders priorities including producer groups, animal health groups, and veterinary medical groups. Provides leadership in the operations of NADC and NCAH. Ensures timelines are met; appropriate licenses are maintained and obtained; inspections are completed, facility security, biosecurity/biosafety are in place; laboratories and animal spaces are functional and compliant with requirements. Provides leadership and technical direction in the formulation and execution of programs and policies related to ARS support services at NCAH. Works with support service unit leaders to develop a budget, resource plans and customer service plans for the ARS support services units. Supervises the heads of the animal resource unit (ARU) and facilities and engineering unit providing oversight for proper biocontainment function and animal health and welfare and facilities/operations for animal health research. Reviews progress of programs, with responsibility for directing appropriate revision or modification of plans to assure the efficient accomplishment of program objectives. As required and often in coordination with the NADC senior staff, conducts independent assessments, analysis and special studies of significant importance that require financial management and planning expertise.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born 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.
• 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 E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• A valid motor vehicle driver's license is required to travel to field and work sites.

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. Basic Education Requirements: 0401 Series 1. Degree: biological science, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, veterinary medicine, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR 2. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Additional Requirements: 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: GS-15: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: 1. Experience in management of high containment (BSL-2 and BSL-3) laboratory facilities including administrative oversight and long-range planning; OR 2. Experience applying knowledge of regulations, rules, guidelines, principles and practices of biosafety/biosecurity and engineering as related to high containment laboratories and animal care facilities and welfare to ensure development and implementation of procedures that are in compliance with requirements and industry standards and best practices; OR 3. Knowledge of animal health and food safety research programs and understanding of the needs for livestock health research programs. 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 Agricultural Research Service 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Elsa Ayala
• Phone: 3015041369
• Email: [email protected]