This position is located within the Agricultural Research Service, Plains Area, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, Foreign Animal Diseases Research Unit in Manhattan, KS. In this position, you will be responsible for all phases of research in a broad, multidisciplinary program of applied and fundamental research on foreign animal diseases in livestock species such as; cattle, sheep, pigs and other relevant species.

Duties

Develop scientific knowledge that will lead to prevention and control measures against foreign animal diseases such as Foot-and- Mouth Disease (FMD), African Swine Fever (ASF) and Classical Swine Fever (CSF) among others. Carry out basic and applied research in immunology related to the study of viral - host interactions and mechanisms involved in pathogenesis and host response to infection and vaccination. Conduct independent research as well as actively collaborate and provide professional advice to the Research Leader, ARS scientists and other PIADC scientists who conduct research on the area of foreign animal diseases. Provide unique leadership and research skills to contribute to the identification, and characterization of the effects of foreign animal diseases in livestock. Develop immunological assessment of host response to FAD infections and vaccination and determination of the factors involved in immuno-pathogenesis, host innate response, adaptive immunity, mechanisms of protection and disease resistance.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US 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.
• 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/
• Successful completion of a three year probationary period.
• The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic test and physical examinations.
• Restrictions against contact with birds and livestock outside the laboratory may apply after entering high security animal facilities that are working with disease agents foreign to the United States.
• To comply with USDA personnel security and Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP) requirements for access to information and areas with Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT), including Tier 1 Select Agents at NBAF, the following must be met:
• Pre-employment and random testing of substances of abuse;
• Participation in and adherence to the facility’s Occupational Health Program; Participation in and adherence to the facility’s Personal Reliability Program;
• The ability to obtain/maintain favorably adjudicated Background Investigations or Security clearances (required by USDA); The ability to obtain/maintain a favorable Security Risk Assessment (required by FSAP).
• This is a Public Trust Position and requires that the incumbent be a United States Citizen. As a condition of employment, the requirements listed above must be met.
• A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities.
• For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF which are transmissible to humans may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the FDA.
• Where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for investigational purposes, the incumbent will be advised that such immunization is voluntary.
• No contact with specific susceptible animals and their premises away from NBAF for a period of five (5) days after leaving the area. Currently, restricted species are cattle, sheep, goats, deer, other ruminants, and swine.
• The incumbent must also pass periodic fitness for duty physicals. In addition, a medical clearance will be required in the event that it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator or other respiratory protection is required.
• Restricted livestock or other restricted animals may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where quarantine cannot be enforced. Employees who violate this may be removed from employment or subject to other disciplinary actions.

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. Additional Requirements In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements described in the Education section below, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. GS-13 Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-13 level of this position are: Experience conducting research related to animal disease in livestock animals; utilizing techniques such as flow-cytometry, ELISA, and ELISPOT to conduct assessments of immune response; and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals. OR Education Substitution (0701 SERIES ONLY) - Completion of a Ph.D. degree in an area of specialization including but not limited to, animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position. OR Residency/Post-Graduate Training Programs - Completion of three years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. OR Board Certification - Specialty boards that are recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) certify eligible candidates as specialists in specific veterinary medical fields. Veterinarians who successfully complete all requirements for Diplomate status in an ABVS-recognized veterinary specialty organization may qualify. GS-14 Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-14 level of this position are: Experience leading the planning and implementation of immunology-based research focused on foreign animal diseases in livestock animals; publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; developing and conducting immunological assessments of adaptive and innate immune responses; and presenting research to local and national scientific meetings. GS-15 Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-15 level of this position are: Experience leading an interdisciplinary, collaborative research program focused on the prevention and control of foreign animal diseases in livestock animals; publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; presenting research results to national and international scientific meetings; serving as editor for scientific journals; and developing collaborative relationships with government officials, scientific organizations, and internal and external industry stakeholders to coordinate research efforts and validate research results. Work Environment The work is performed in, laboratories, animal rooms, offices, attics, mechanical and electrical rooms, and IT closets. Exposure to dust, strong odors, fumes, chemical or exhaust, risks and hazards of harmful biological, chemical, and physical agents are possible and require special safety precautions and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Use of protective equipment, such as respirators, disposable personal protective clothing, and eye protection, may be required. Immunization against a number of disease agents may be required. A degree of potential risk is involved due to biohazard laboratories. High levels of noise and vibration, grease, electrical hazards, moving parts of machinery. The environment requires staying alert and taking special safety precautions including wearing of special protective clothing like hard hat, gloves and safety shoes. The mission of NBAF includes research, diagnosis and training for animal diseases foreign to the US for the purpose of protecting American agriculture and domestic food sources from their potentially devastating effects. NBAF is vital to successfully protecting U.S. agriculture from the intentional or non-intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases such as FMD, ASF, CSF. The position supports the biocontainment facilities and may require entry into biosafety level (BSL) 3, 3 enhanced, and 3 Ag labs. The incumbent must demonstrate the physical and psychological capability to conduct normal duties that are appropriate to their position. To prevent the transmission of disease out of biocontainment and retention of the position, the incumbent must meet the following medical standards in a pre-employment medical examination conducted after the receipt of a preliminary job offer and on a periodic basis: Ability to shower out of biocontainment one or more times per day; Not have any skin condition which would prevent this; Body piercings must be able to be removed prior to entry; External medical assist devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering or not impede the ability to enter biocontainment, and the individual must still be able to shower out safely without assistance; Ability to follow instructions regarding decontamination from biocontainment; Any medical condition which could create an unsafe environment for the individual or his/her co-workers, such as: insufficient control of a medical disorder which could result in sudden loss of consciousness; and inadequate vision and hearing required for safety in a laboratory environment. Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at NBAF, biosafety protocols specify a personal quarantine for employees working on specific infectious agents in designated areas of NBAF. Contact with horses, birds (agricultural and pet birds) and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working with or near infectious agents affecting these species. 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. To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications. Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

Basic Requirements for Microbiology Series, 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: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown 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 technology, 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.

Evaluation of Education: Microbiology is a broad field of science encompassing a number of scientific disciplines or areas of science, the fields in which this science is applied, and related fields where the work is concerned with or involves microbiology. The scientific disciplines or areas of this science include bacteriology, immunology, serology, algology, mycology, parasitology, protozoology, rickettsiology, tissue culture, virology, and similar disciplines or areas of science. The applied fields include environmental, food, dairy, soil, industrial, public health, clinical, and agricultural microbiology, and similar areas in which microbiology is applied. Related fields include taxonomy and systematics, plant, animal, or human physiology or pathology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, ecology, and similar areas of science where the work is directly related or applies to microbiology. Except where the course work deals with a limited and specific segment of the science, where it might be limited in usefulness, most of the work, including that dealing with the development and use of microbiological methods, procedures, and techniques, is qualifying. In interpreting the substantive value of the course work, credit may be given for courses in related fields, depending on the degree to which the courses are related to micro-biological work.

Basic Requirements for Veterinary Medicine Series, 0701
1. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), obtained at a school or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA). The AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org, has a listing of all AVMA-accredited veterinary medical schools.
OR
2. Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools that are not accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (Refer to AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org for information about schools in this category) must meet one of the following requirements:

• Proof of certification of their final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG)
• Possession of a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the US that includes successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) or its predecessors, the National Board Examination (NBE) and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT).
• Proof that the education obtained in a foreign veterinary medical program is equivalent to that gained in a veterinary medical program that is accredited by the AVMA Council on Education. Under this provision, equivalency is established only if an AVMA-accredited veterinary medical school or college accepts the graduate's final transcript from the foreign veterinary medical school at full value for placement into an advanced degree, postgraduate educational program, or training program (e.g. residency or graduate program).

Graduates of foreign veterinary medical programs must also provide proof of proficiency in the English language by successfully completing one of the nationally and internationally recognized examinations that incorporate assessments of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Examples of examinations that assess mastery of the English language are shown below:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Minimum scores for the TOEFL are 560 for the paper-based version; 220 for the computer-based version; or overall score of 83 for the internet-based version (including 26 or higher in speaking, 26 or higher in listening, and 17 or higher in writing). For the computer-based and paper-based test versions, applicants must also complete the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and the Test of Written English (TWE). Minimum required scores are 55 for the TSE and 5.5 for the TWE;
• Academic tests (listening, writing, and speaking) offered by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 7.0, with at least 7.0 in speaking, 6.5 in listening, and 6.0 in writing; OR
• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 70, with at least 60 in speaking, 60 in listening, and 50 in writing.

Education Substitution GS-13: In order to qualify at the GS-13 grade level on the basis of education for the 0701 series, applicants must complete a relevant graduate study or a dual DVM/graduate degree as described above at an accredited college or school, in addition to completing the DVM or an equivalent degree.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 2150 Centre Avenue Building D, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80526 US
• Name: Sydney Teague
• Phone: 703-259-9455
• Email: [email protected]