The position is located in a multidisciplinary laboratory within the Office of Public Health Science (OPHS), Laboratory Regulatory Operations (LRO), which performs analysis on red meat, poultry, & egg products. The specialist is an expert and advises in the proper receipt, chain of custody, identification, direction, storage, preparation (if applicable), and shipping of all samples and sampling supplies for disciplines represented in the laboratory and other agencies upon request.

Duties

Team lead of 4 - 7 supply technicians within a multidisciplinary laboratory of LRO. Responsible for planning, coordinating, reviewing, and expediting activities of the team personnel engaged in the procurement, receipt, storage, issue and shipment of supplies, materials, and equipment. Serves as a coach, facilitator and at times negotiator in coordinating branch initiatives and in consensus building activities among branch members. Responsible for the receipt, identification, preparation, distribution, and storage of all monitoring, surveillance, special agent, microbiological outbreak, and compliance investigative samples. Maintains mandatory records that can be used as court evidence. Responsible for maintaining sufficient inventory and distribution of all shipping supplies and sampling kits for FSIS sampling programs and special programs as requested. Manages an electronic supply inventory and drafts requests for purchasing. All work is performed under International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 guidelines. Coordinates sample receiving operations for all disciplines represented in the laboratory, assuring that sample integrity is maintained throughout the process. Maintains and coordinates sample log-in, preparation, and storage. Serves as a point of contact for questions concerning sample shipping and supplies for field and HQ. Manages receipt of all laboratory supplies, equipment, and chemicals. Receives, processes documentation, enters items into laboratory inventory database and obtains certificates of analysis. If necessary, delivers supplies, equipment, and chemicals purchased by the laboratory. Leads a distribution center for supplies and test kit materials used by FSIS inspectors for sampling programs. Responsible for implementing Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) applications as they relate to sample shipping and receiving. Ensures that the appropriate laboratory employees are properly trained on LIMS applications. Any other LIMS related activity that links to the storage of samples within the laboratory are also under the Lead's purview.

Requirements

• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• May be subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary or trial period.
• If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
• False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
• Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
• If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" system.
• Must pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Failure to successfully meet these requirements could lead to adverse action proceedings including possible termination.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the time-in-grade and specialized experience requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Time in grade: You must have completed 52 weeks at the next lower grade to be eligible for the grade you are applying to. To qualify at the GS-9 grade, you must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade in the following: Working in shipping and receiving of laboratory samples or supplies. Working with inventory management using electronic record keeping; examples include spreadsheets, laboratory information management systems, etc. Working with Microsoft Excel. Maintaining effective communication with internal staff and external customers. To qualify at the GS-11 grade, you must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade in the following: Working in shipping and receiving of laboratory samples or supplies. Managing inventory using electronic record keeping; examples include spreadsheets, laboratory information management systems, etc. Working with Microsoft Excel. Maintaining effective communication with internal staff and external customers. Contributing to written guidelines; examples include sample receipt or inventory SOPs, procedural training documents, etc. To qualify at the GS-12 grade, you must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade in the following: Managing the shipping and receiving of laboratory samples or supplies. Managing inventory using electronic record keeping; examples include spreadsheets, laboratory information management systems, etc. Working with Microsoft Excel. Maintaining effective communication with internal staff and external customers. Contributing to written guidelines; examples include sample receipt or inventory SOPs, procedural training documents, etc. Leading or training others in a laboratory. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: General Supply Series 2001 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, knowledge, and skills 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

You can qualify at the GS-9 grade with the following education:

• Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or
• Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or
• LL.B. or J.D., if related.

You can qualify at the GS-11 grade with the following education:

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or
• Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or
• LL.M., if related.

You cannot substitute education for experience to qualify at the GS-12 grade.

College transcripts: You must submit a legible copy of your college transcripts if you are using education to qualify. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, it must include your name, the name of the educational institution, and enough information to validate qualifications such as course names, prefixes, grades, semester or quarter credit hours, date degree was awarded, etc.

If you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty.

Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. You can verify the accreditation of your institution here: U.S. Department of Education Accreditation: Postsecondary Education Institutions

If any education was completed at a foreign institution, your application must include evidence that the institution was determined to be the equivalent to U.S. education standards by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit NACES. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

Contacts

• Address Food Safety and Inspection Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Gary McCann
• Phone: (612) 852-7706
• Email: [email protected]