Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) within the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) protects American agriculture and the American public and farmers from foreign animal and dangerous, exotic diseases by conducting research, developing vaccines, performing diagnostic testing, and training veterinarians to respond to these bio-threats. Your development and validation of diagnostic tests and reagents for foreign animal diseases will help prevent their outbreak and spread.

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Designs, executes, interprets and reports on experiments and experimental data associated with development and validation of new or modified diagnostic assays and/or reagents production methods. Characterization of laboratory diagnostic samples and biological materials using traditional microbiological techniques, virus isolation and sophisticated molecular biological techniques. Performs assays for the detection of antigens, nucleic acids and antibodies indicating the presence of a foreign animal disease. Operates sophisticated laboratory equipment including thermocyclers, DNA sequencers, ultracentrifuges, flow cytometers, robotics equipment, and electrophoresis apparatus. Assists in the development of new high grade diagnostic reagents for which standard methods are not described in the literature and improves current reagent quality to meet international standards. Participates in the development of molecular biological and/or immunological assays that use new and improved techniques for the diagnosis of viral diseases. Coordinates quality assurance, lab safety, biosecurity and biosafety activities for the section.

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.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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/
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) database check required for work involving Biological Select Agents and Toxins.
• This position involves standing, sitting, moving about the laboratory, carrying equipment (cell culture racks, cages and bottles), and reaching into incubators and centrifuges.
• When working with animals, physical exertion is required in restraint, administering inoculations and therapy, performing clinical tests, killing humanely and collecting tissue specimens.
• The work involves the risk of exposure to viruses and bacteria that may be human pathogens (Class 3 Agents) and requires working with viruses exotic to the United States.
• Immunization against diseases being studied may be required, and where the vaccine has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for investigational purposes immunization is voluntary.
• Biological safety cabinets are required, and work is performed in a biological containment laboratory (agricultural biosafety level 3 and 4) in which all clothing is changed and a complete shower is taken.
• High noise level due to the air supply/exhaust system (no recirculated air) and from laboratory equipment used continuously, such as centrifuges, grinders, freezers and biological safety cabinets.
• Protective devices such as face masks and heavy gloves may be used.
• Must apply strict agent safety regulations against contact with birds, sheep, goats, cattle, swine and other animals (in exclusion of dogs and cats) outside the laboratory.
• Positions hired in Orient Point duty location will require daily travel to and from either Orient Point, NY and Plum Island, or Old Saybrook, Connecticut and Plum Island aboard Government-provided marine vessels.
• If selected in Orient Point, NY, this position may be relocated from Orient Point, NY to Manhattan, KS when NBAF is complete and ready for activity at a future date, no later than 12/31/2024.
• Selectee may be required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) acknowledging/accepting relocation from Orient Point, NY to Manhattan, KS. Failure to sign the MOU will result in withdrawal of the job offer.
• For information regarding the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, KS visit the following website by copying and pasting the address into your browser: https://www.usda.gov/nbaf

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 REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Or combination of education and experience: Combination of post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Utilizing and troubleshooting molecular assays (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, sequencing, design of primers and probes) and immunoassays (ELISA, IFA, Western blot, other serology assays), and/or virus isolation and virus titration, validation of diagnostic assays. Developing and updating Standard Operating Procedures and quality worksheets as needed working in a general laboratory inventory system of biological samples. Independently perform and train others on a range of specialized tests for the isolation, detection, identification, for a range of organisms/pathogens. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Cell Biology, virology, or related fields. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Working in BSL3 laboratories with high consequence pathogens. Developing new projects independently and troubleshooting technical problems without supervision. Carrying out tests and calibrations in accordance to ISO 17025. Providing technical advice to researchers, internal and external customers through written and verbal communications. Reviewing diagnostic cases and accurately generating reports for external customers. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university 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: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]