About the Position: This position is located at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). The Institute is the only laboratory in the Department of Defense equipped to safely study highly hazardous pathogens requiring maximum containment at Biosafety Level 4. For additional information about USAMRIID and Fort Detrick, please visit http://www.usamriid.army.mil and http://www.detrick.army.mil

Duties

The duties of this position which involve the performance of scientific and professional work in the field of microbiology. Microbiology deals with the study of the characteristics and life processes of microorganisms, the interrelationships among microorganisms, their relationships to other living forms, and their reactions to the environment in which they are found. This includes: (1) work with the protozoa, bacteria, algae, fungi, viruses, rickettsiae, microscopic parasites and similar microscopic and submicroscopic forms; (2) work in such fields as immunology, medical parasitology, physiology, serology, genetics, taxonomy, and cytology as they relate to microorganisms; (3) studies of the form, structure, reproductive processes, genetics, taxonomy, and cytology as they relate to microorganisms and the products of their chemical activities; (4) studies of the distribution of microorganisms in natural and manmade environments (including agricultural and nonagricultural products and food processing establishments), their reaction to physical and chemical factors in the environment, their role as pathogenic and immunizing agents, and their isolation, cultivation, identification, and systematic classification; and (5) work that involves the development of scientific microbiological methods, procedures, and techniques, and the production and use of microorganisms in agricultural, industrial, medical, sanitary, and other practical applications.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.
• This position requires the employee to use personal protective equipment provided by the employer.
• "See additional program the incumbent MUST enroll in as a Microbiologist in the "Qualifications" section."

Qualifications

USAMRIID is participating in an alternative personnel system known as the Personnel Demonstration Project (PDP). The DB-03 pay band is equivalent to the GS-13 step 1 to GS-14 step 10 level. In keeping with the Demonstration pay fixing policies, employees earning a salary that falls within this pay band equivalent, will not receive an immediate pay increase (promotion) if appointed to this position. Future pay increases within the pay band will be accomplished through the pay for performance management system. Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement for Microbiologist: A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in 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 B. Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes (1) Conducting research on novel vaccine strategies for bacterial infections and evaluating molecular mechanisms of vaccine candidates (DNA sequence analyses to predict gene structure and function and how it relates to bacterial pathogenesis); (2) Identification and evaluation of bacterial virulence factors that could be used for vaccine or therapeutic targets (preparing novel DNA constructs and plasmids; transformation, blotting, and other DNA-related procedures); and (3) Development and use of assays for measurement and characterization of virulence factors of bacterial select agents. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (DB-02/GS-12). You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: BiologyTeamworkTechnical Competence BIOLOGICAL PERSONNEL RELIABILITY PROGRAM / ARMY BIOLOGICAL SURETY PROGRAM Performs duties that require the individual to obtain and hold Biological Personnel Reliability Program (BPRP) enrollment pursuant to the requirements of the Army Biological Surety Program. Individuals must maintain a current certification of enrollment in the BPRP as a condition of eligibility for continued employment. The BPRP is a suitability and reliability program operated by the agency and requires the employee to submit to and satisfactorily complete suitability and reliability screening and analysis. The employee must maintain the standards prescribed for the Army Biological Surety Program. As a condition of employment, employees in this position must also be approved by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice for access to laboratories containing biological select agents and toxins pursuant to the terms of 42 CFR Part 73. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM Incumbent works in containment suites with highly hazardous infectious agents and toxins (bio-safety levels 3 and 4) and is required to participate in the Occupational Health Surveillance Program (OHSP), IAW with AR 40-5 and DA Pam 385.69. The OHSP monitors worker health and provides vaccinations aimed at additional protection above personal protective devices. Licensed vaccines are approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because data support the conclusion that they are both safe and effective. These vaccines are administered according to the manufacturers' product labels. The incumbent may also consent to participate voluntarily in the Special Immunization Program (SIP), which offers Investigational New Drug (IND) vaccines according to specific protocols which are written following FDA, International Conference on Harmonization/Good Clinical Practices guidelines, DOD and Army regulations which protect the rights and welfare of research subjects. Prior to each IND vaccine protocol enrollment, the incumbent will be given a separate, detailed informed consent describing that specific protocol. If the incumbent agrees to receive the IND vaccine, his/her signature is required before the initial administration of the vaccine by SIP. The OHS or surety medicine staff will monitor incumbent's general health to ensure that working with biological select agents and toxins (BSATs) and/or infectious agents and toxins (IATs) will not put incumbent at additional or unnecessary risk. To safely carry out the laboratory research mission, personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required as a condition of employment. In addition to PPE, FDA licensed vaccines may be available to employees. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM (CS-PRP) Incumbent has unaccompanied access to controlled medical substances and is required to participate in the Occupational Health Surveillance Program (OHSP). The OHSP monitors worker health, medical treatment and medication that may impair their ability to perform the essential functions of the job. The examining physician will make a recommendation to the certifying official concerning the potential impact of the condition, treatment, or medication on reliability.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address BB-APF-W4GPAA USA MED RESRCH INST OF INFECT DIS DO NOT MAIL Frederick, MD 21702 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk