This position is located in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services (WS) program, which is multi-faceted and is directed at providing Federal leadership in addressing wildlife damage problems to protect agriculture, human health and safety, public and private property, and natural resources.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Responsible for all aspects of Laboratory Support Services Unit (LSSU) management, including setting research and work priorities, assigning tasks, resolving conflicting priorities, and assessing and improving unit capabilities. Plans, assigns, monitors and tracks assignments, coordinates special projects, mentors employees in various work accomplishments, and ensures the timely delivery of quality work products and services. Oversees the preparation of all technical reports and correspondence relating to findings and prepares progress reports for collaborators or upper management. Maintains the LSSU budget, working with the assigned Budget Analyst to ensure budget requests and purchases reflect the unit’s objectives and National Wildlife Research Center's (NWRC’s) allocation process. Provides for the training of LSSU staff in laboratory procedures, instrument operation, data recording requirements, Good Laboratory Practices, Quality Assurance (QA)/Quality Control (QC), and safety procedures. Conducts and oversees the preparation of numerous scientific and administrative program reports, including annual reports. Oversees development of new laboratory methods and refinement of existing methods to meet mission and cooperator needs. Supervises and directs a diverse work force of federal and, where applicable, cooperative employees that includes chemists, biologists, and biological science technicians. Exercises personal leadership in carrying out a continuing program to bring about diversity, equal opportunity in employment, advancement, development, and treatment of employees.

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.
• 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/
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• The position may require standing for long periods of time in a laboratory to perform work.

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 for 0401: Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. BASIC REQUIREMENT for 1320: Degree in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR Combination of education and experience: Course work equivalent to a major as shown above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Ability to ensure proper management of laboratory methods and techniques in the biological and analytical chemical sciences. Developing, modifying and troubleshooting new research approaches and laboratory methods with limited guidelines and obscure aspects. Enforcing regulatory requirements (e.g. International Standards Organization {ISO}) and ensuring proper functioning of a diagnostic laboratory. Supervising multidisciplinary teams in a laboratory setting, including establishing and implementing strategies, objectives, and performance measures for assigned projects, prioritizing work, and determining funding needs and allocations. Preparing briefing information and reports on complex scientific results for Program and Agency senior management; and communicating laboratory findings through peer-reviewed, scientific publications and presentations to diverse stakeholders. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. 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]