This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate, Compliance Assurance Program Office (CAPO). The primary purpose of this position is to ensure the DHS is compliant with relevant U.S. regulations and laws, international agreements, Departmental policies, and relevant standards and guidance, while supporting the Department's ability to meet its operational and strategic goals. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Duties

As a General Biological Scientist, GS-0401-15, your typical work assignments may include: Compliance and oversight responsibilities for: Biosafety Biological Select Agent and Toxin (BSAT) Security Treaty (Biological and Chemical Arms Control) Animal Care and Use Protection of Human Subjects Specific duties related to these compliance areas may include: Conducting compliance assessments for any DHS-conducted or sponsored project involving biological and/or chemical agents, surrogates, and/or simulants, or related non-laboratory activities (i.e., literature reviews, simulations, modeling activities) Conducting reviews of all DHS conducted or sponsored research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, hazardous Biological Agents and/or Toxins and other Biological Materials. Assessing biosafety practices and conducting in-person laboratory audits of DHS laboratories and DHS-funded laboratories. Ensuring the appropriate care, use, and transportation of animals in research conducted or supported by DHS through implementation of, and compliance with, federal regulations and policies. Conducting reviews of research efforts in order to protect human subjects in research conducted or supported by DHS through the implementation of, and compliance with, federal regulations and guidelines. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You will be required to undergo pre-appointment and random drug testing for illegal drug use. Employment is contingent upon favorable results.
• You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
• You must possess, or submit to, a Single Scope Background Investigation adjudicated to Intelligence Community Directive 704 standards.
• You must be eligible and maintain standards for a TOP SECRET clearance, and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information and must sign the applicable non-disclosure agreements.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• This position is eligible for telework based on agency policy.
• You will be required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, within 30 days of starting your federal employment and annually thereafter as long as you occupy a position that requires financial disclosure reporting.

Qualifications

Basic Education Requirement: 1. 4 Year-Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. -OR- 2. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as: 1) Planning and/or executing long-range biological science programs or projects of national significance; 2) Ensuring programs (i.e. biological and chemical weapons, biosafety, animal care and use, human research subjects, etc.) are in compliance with statutory, policy, and regulatory requirements; 3) Applying applicable laws, regulations, and policies to new and changing problems within the biological science field in order to resolve complex management and program issues; 4) Coordinating biological and regulatory compliance program planning policy and execution activities with internal and external stakeholders. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

Contacts

• Address Department of Homeland Security Headquarters OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170 6595 Springfield Center Drive Springfield, VA 20598-0170 US
• Name: Jenny Kern
• Phone: (912) 267-3100
• Email: [email protected]