Job opening: BIOLOGIST (BIOSECURITY SME)
Salary: $139 395 - 181 216 per year
Published at: Oct 29 2024
Employment Type: Full-time
This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
Duties
As a BIOLOGIST (BIOSECURITY SME) at the GS-0401-14 some of your typical work assignments may include:
Biosecurity subject matter expert (SME) responsible for detailed analysis on highly technical biological matters including, but not limited to, biosecurity, biosafety, biodefense, bioresilience, biosurveillance, infectious diseases (especially those of pandemic potential), biotechnology, technical processes involving the weaponization of biological materials, and the applications of biological technology and life sciences to national security.
Support of forecasting the development and impact of emerging biosecurity threats and opportunities, including generating strategic threat assessments, forecasts, opportunity analyses, and other analytical products.
Analyzes, and articulates biosecurity concepts related to CWMD, arms control, and national security strategies at the tactical (local), operational (regional) and strategic (international) levels of warfare.
Researches and generates analytical products on topics related to capabilities of state or non-state actors regarding employment of weapons systems which use or leverage biotechnology or dual-use biotechnologies against the United States, its partners, or its interests.
Represents the directorate, department, and DTRA at various interagency and international meetings pertaining to biosecurity and arms control, CWMD, and other areas for which DTRA has or may have authority and/or implementation responsibilities. Travels to meets and events, or with DTRA mission teams, when needed.
Requirements
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
- Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
- Work Schedule: Full Time
- Overtime: 10%
- Tour of Duty: Other
- Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized; See link for more information: https://www.dtra.mil/Careers-Opportunities/DTRA-Opportunities/
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
- Financial Disclosure: /Not Required
- Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible on a situational basis with management approval.
- Must consent to and pass pre- drug testing and be subject to periodic random drug testing thereafter.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance.
- Travel in the performance of temporary assignments may be required up to 40% of duty time CONUS/OCONUS. The employee must be willing to comply with each Combatant Command (COCOM) travel medical requirement to include vaccinations.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid passport.
Qualifications
You may qualify at the GS-14, if you fulfill the following qualifications:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service:
Expert knowledge of biosecurity, biosafety, biodefense, bio-resilience, bio-surveillance, infectious diseases (especially those of pandemic potential), biotechnology, technical processes involving the weaponization of biological materials, and the applications of biological technology and life sciences;
Expert knowledge of geo-political, cultural, and weapons of mass destruction topic areas (particularly as they pertain to biosecurity) to analyze opportunities and threats, supporting forecasting and relating the field to USG priorities, DTRA priorities, and other DoD requirements;
Expert knowledge and skill in development and application of methods and techniques for analyzing effects of continuous change in foreign programs;
Expertly authored and reviewed research papers, proposals, and reports to ensure accuracy and realism in the research portfolio with appropriate focus on biosecurity matters within the research and helps to formulate research content to ensure focus on bio-security issues of concern;
In-depth knowledge of DoD plans, strategies, structure, and overall capabilities to ensure correlation between biosecurity analyses and U.S. capabilities;
Knowledge of how all instruments of national power, not just the Department of Defense, the combatant commands or DTRA, may be leveraged with respect to biosecurity threats and opportunities;
Skill in analyzing disparate pieces of data to forecast/envision a future environment for Agency and DoD operations/activities, especially where there is a lack of predictive data or historical perspective;
Excellent oral and written communication skills to articulate impacts and context of future potential threats and opportunities, to provide senior leadership, highly technical staff members, colleagues, and stakeholders with concepts and trends of the future, and ;
Proven strategic planning and critical thinking skills required to garner innovative solutions from highly technical staff members and implement change with resourcefulness and creativity.
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.
In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0401 series.
Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.
Education
Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.
ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims.
All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
Foreign education may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses.
Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.
When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. For further information, visit:
Foreign Education
Contacts
- Address Defense Threat Reduction Agency
8725 JOHN J KINGMAN ROAD
MSC 6201
FT BELVOIR, VA 22060-6201
US
- Name: DTRA Servicing Team
- Phone: 614-692-0259
- Email: [email protected]
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