As a Microbiologist at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, you will be responsible for organizing and managing a wide variety of standard techniques in performing diagnostic tests, reagent production, developmental studies, and training assignments related to animal pathogens significant to the assigned Section.

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: Contributes to rapid and accurate virus detection and identification, applies good laboratory practices, complies with animal welfare, biosafety, biosecurity, and Select Agent program regulations. Performs techniques for isolation and identification of viruses and serologic procedures for the detection of antibodies per official Standard Operating Procedures. Performs molecular techniques such as real-time (reverse transcription)-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR/RRT-PCR). Performs molecular techniques to amplify and sequence viral nucleic acid and utilizes software to assemble and analyze partial and whole genome sequence data. Characterizes viruses by phenotype, genotype, and virulence by selecting physical, chemical, and biologic tests, including animal inoculation. Maintains a stock of quality diagnostic reagents. Helps direct Unit assigned technician work, organize testing schedules, provide training, ensure timely completion of diagnostic testing and compliance with the quality management system. Implements improved techniques, participates in method validation for viral disease diagnosis, implements experimental designs for developmental projects. Contributes to review and approval of cases within the laboratory information management system and consistent with quality management guidelines to release reports in a timely manner. Demonstrates oral and written communication skills, teamwork, maintain professional relationships, present at meetings, contribute to manuscripts for publication, conduct training sessions.

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.
• 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.
• Position may require work in biocontainment and/or hazardous areas, showering in and out of biocontainment areas one or more times per day.
• The employee is restricted from contact with certain species of animals for a week after working in the lab.
• The work requires continual standing, bending, stooping and reaching; frequent lifting, carrying and moving of objects up to 50 pounds.
• Workload during a disease outbreak may require considerable overtime.
• Regular duties may involve mandatory participation in rotating overtime work schedules, and import/export or other time-sensitive testing may be required in the evenings, on weekends, and holidays.
• The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations.
• Immunization against diseases being studied which are transmissible to humans may be required.
• Criminal Justice Information Services database check required for work involving Biological Select Agents and Toxins.

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: 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. FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: 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: Monitoring and overseeing the work of others to ensure everything gets covered and completed. Utilizing and troubleshooting molecular assays (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, sequencing, design of primers and probes) and/or immunoassays (ELISA, IFA, Virus Neutralization, other serological assays) and/or virus isolation and virus titration, validation of diagnostic assays. Reviewing test results and assessing test validity for molecular assays, immunoassays, or virus isolation methods. Developing and updating standard operating procedures and quality worksheets in a BSL-2 or BSL-3 laboratory. Working in a general laboratory inventory system of biological samples. OR 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in Animal Science, Biology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, or Virology. 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]