Serves as a Microbiologist in the Microbiology Branch of the Laboratory Regulatory Operations(LRO), OPHS. Performs microbial analyses on official samples, as well as various tasks associated with the adaptation and validation of methods and test systems used in field laboratories in the analysis of meat and meat products, poultry and poultry products, Siluriformes fish and egg products. The samples are submitted by various FSIS field personnel located throughout the United States.

Duties

Performs microbial analyses on a variety of samples of meat, poultry, Siluriformes fish and egg products. Performs microbial examinations of meat or poultry products and their ingredients to determine presence, numbers, and species of bacteria, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Campylobacter. Prepares and maintains reagents. Performs lot acceptance on commercially acquired test kits and reagents. Maintains quality control on instrumentation necessary to perform assigned analyses. Maintains quality assurance records to serve as documentation for ISO 17025 accreditation, the Microbiological Laboratory Guidebook, and the Quality Assurance Plan of the laboratory. Interprets and evaluates the results of the analyses according to FSIS and OPHS laboratory policy. Develops and writes laboratory and section work instructions, spreadsheets, and forms for adoption into the laboratory quality system. Accurately reflects work performed daily by recording on prescribed documents and within the electronic Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Maintains quality assurance records in such a manner that they serve as documentation for ISO criteria for the USDA Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook and the Quality Assurance Plan of the Laboratory Guidebook. Presents findings in a transparent and accurate manner.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. 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.
• May be subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary or trial 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.
• False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from the federal service.
• 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/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Time in grade: There is no time-in-grade requirement for the GS-5 grade. To be eligible for the GS-7 grade, you must have completed one year at the GS-5 grade or its equivalent in the federal service. Basic requirement: You must meet the following basic requirement to qualify for both grades. Degree: 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 ---------- 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. Graduate Education: Microbiology, or specific area of study such as bacteriology, virology, mycology, algology, protozoology, parasitology, immunology, serology, microbial genetics, or soil microbiology; or specific applied fields of microbiology such as clinical and public health microbiology, food tech-nology, production processes, industrial fermentation, pollution, etc. Graduate study in related fields such as experimental pathology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, biochemistry, animal or plant physiology, genetics, plant pathology, and insect disease control, may also be pertinent, provided it has direct application to microbiological work. For more information on the microbiology series 0403, click here: OPM - microbiology series 0403 Specialized experience: GS-5: You qualify at this grade by meeting the basic requirement. GS-7: You can qualify at this grade with experience or education. Experience: To qualify at the GS-7 grade, you must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade in the following 2 of 3 areas: Experience using computer-based applications. Experience with electronic record keeping. Working in a laboratory performing microbial analyses. Education: One year of one year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement. Graduate level education qualifies if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.): see the Education section below for the S.A.A. requirements. 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

Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership as follows:

1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of:
   • • 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
     • 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Follow this link for a list of honor societies: ACHS member society search

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]