About the Position: This position is located in the Regional Health Command - West, Public Health Command - West, Laboratory Division, Food Analysis & Diagnostic Lab, Fort Sam Houston, Texas

Duties

Position entails a variety of technical laboratory analyses evaluating food and water for the presence of harmful bacteria and other microbial agents to include diagnostic tests and technical support work in the fields of microbiology and immunology. Assist in the preparation of routine and special media, reagents, stains, and other supplemental items needed for the growth of microbial organisms. Participate in method verifications, validations and other investigative projects and laboratory analyses as assigned. Operate specialized equipment (microscopes, autoclaves, balances, centrifuges, Vitek, BAX, Atlas, Vidas, stomachers, biological safety cabinets, and fingerprinting equipment items etc). Maintain stocks of microbiological diagnostic reagents, Petri dishes, pipettes, and consumable supplies in order to sustain an adequate inventory. Report unusual and significant results to the Microbiology Supervisor by inputting information into worksheets, logbooks and charts.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment and perform standard laboratory procedures, use aseptic technique and work with human pathogenic bacteria and other pathogenic agents.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical examination is required.
• Subject to annual seasonal influenza vaccinations.
• Requires scheduled rotating weekend duty.
• This is an Inclement Weather Essential position, you must make every attempt to report for work on time and/or remain on duty during severe weather conditions.
• Must meet the requirements for certification as fully proficient in all laboratory procedures performed.
• A one year probationary period may be required.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities. 30 Percent or More Disabled VeteransCurrent Department of Army Civilian EmployeesCurrent Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel WorkforceExecutive Order (E.O.) 12721Interagency Career Transition Assistance PlanLand Management Workforce Flexibility ActMilitary Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)Non-Department of Defense (DoD) TransferOffice of Personnel Management (OPM) Interchange Agreement EligiblePeople with Disabilities, Schedule APriority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician EligiblePriority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) EligiblePriority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability RetirementPriority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference EligibleReinstatement In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes evaluating food and water for harmful bacteria; perform lab analyses, count plates for growth and determine the type of microbial growth. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-08). OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Biological Sciences, Microbiology, or Chemistry. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Attention to DetailReasoningResearchTechnology Application Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-08).

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address M1-W08GAA REGIONAL HEALTH COMMAND-CENTRAL DO NOT MAIL Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk