As a Microbiologist or Biological Scientist in the Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB), Policy, Evaluation, and Licensing (PEL) you will be responsible for evaluating biologics that are licensed or proposed for licensing for purity, safety, potency, and efficacy in accordance with Title 9 Code of Federal Regulations Standard Requirements and Outlines of Production.

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: Reviews, analyzes, and prepares critiques of data submitted by biological manufacturers. Participates in the Quality Assurance (QA) initiative by modifying and reviewing drafts of standard operating procedures (SOPs), Supplemental Assay Methods (SAMs), or protocols. Modifies and reviews animal care and use applications which are submitted to the National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH) Animal Care and Use Committee for approval. Modifies, adapts and evaluates standard procedures and techniques to enhance the evaluation of current products or to test emerging conventional and biotechnology based veterinary biologics. Records and assembles the data in a scientific manner and recommends to the supervisor new testing procedures for adoption into Standard Requirements. Attends seminars/meetings to communicate with peers to find methods/procedures for updating testing procedures used in evaluation of viral/bacterial agents Collaborates with laboratory and other personnel in a productive and professional way, including participation on Veterinary Services cross-functional teams as needed.

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 https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
• Work involves some amount of physical effort, not only in walking, stooping, bending, lifting, and climbing, but also in handling and sampling of all species of animals.
• Considerable periods of time standing may be required while conducting laboratory techniques or while inoculating animals.
• May require appropriate safety procedures and use of special animal restraints.
• Duties may require personal protective gear, such as rubber boots, medical long coats, coveralls, rubber gloves, biological masks, respirators, and related equipment.
• Immunization against diseases being studied which are transmissible to humans may be required.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Biologist (0401) Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR Combination of education and experience: 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. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Microbiologist (0403) 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: of post high school education with courses equivalent to a major in microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown above, 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. 0401 AND 0403 SERIES FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: In addition to the Basic Requirements, applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Performing animal studies to include necropsy/sample collection and a variety of diagnostic/potency tests on bacterial or viral substrates. Keeping records, summarizing data, and evaluating the validity of samples, interpreting results and reports findings. Writing and evaluating laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and assisting in the update of the facility Quality Assurance/Quality Check (QA/QC) and records retention programs. OR 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in the biological sciences. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying 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. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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]