The position is with the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC), Fort Collins, CO. The position is under the Rabies Project which is responsible for developing and implementing methods to detect, monitor, and inform management about wildlife species populations (especially mesocarnivore reservoirs of rabies) and wildlife rabies epidemiology.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Maintains involvement with the Rabies Project and the Mesocarnivore Genetic Archive to help understand the evolution of wildlife rabies and mesocarnivore populations in North America. Develops methodologies to assign emerging wildlife rabies cases to population or region of origin. Coordinates submission, receipt, and management of hair, blood, and tissue samples from mesocarnivores that are collected from across North America for the Mesocarnivore Genetic Archive. Develops standards for loaning of samples to other research institutions/individuals. Archives samples and the maintenance and disbursement of supplies and sampling strategy to field crews collecting mesocarnivore samples. Gathers and analyzes relevant genetic data from the archive; using sophisticated genetic statistical techniques, technologies, and equipment for research. Provide technical direction and instruction to temporary employees, volunteers, students, etc., particularly when conducting laboratory studies. Procure equipment and supplies necessary to conduct studies and manage genetic archive. Manage budget assigned to duties. Prepare brief technical reports describing study progress, present at professional conferences and to non-technical audiences, and write peer-review publications.

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/
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• 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.
• May be required to travel and work in the field during wildlife rabies control efforts.

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: 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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to the basic requirement applicants must also possess: FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Performed population and phylo-genomic analyses with proficiency in R, and other software such as Linux (BASH), and Python for analyzing genomic data (e.g. high-density SNP data). Worked as subject matter expert in a lab environment developing various genomic approaches regarding subjects such as molecular ecology, evolution, whole genome sequencing, fragment analysis, SNP genotyping, and development of various genomic approaches are required. Worked on research of non-model (no characterized genome sequence) host population genome sequencing (Lyssavirus Rabies host preferred). Worked on viral whole genome sequencing is required (Lyssavirus Rabies preferred). An established record of first and senior author peer-reviewed publications (e.g., 4+ in the last 4 years) and study protocol development. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. 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]