This position is located in the USDA, ARS, Animal Resource Unit in Manhattan, KS. In this position you will be responsible for performing technical work in support of the care, maintenance, health and behavior of animals (cattle, swine, small ruminants, poultry, horses and traditional laboratory animals) involved in the scientific research projects.

Duties

Providing care, feeding, and management of animals including provision of environmental enrichment. Maintaining critical equipment within containment; strict adherence to recordkeeping; administering drugs, medications or other chemical agents. Providing support to scientists and veterinarians with animal restraint; and gathering of sample collection such as blood, urine, feces, saliva, etc. Providing daily (including weekends and holidays) tasks for maintenance of animals. Maintaining inventory required to do the work, informing leads/supervisors of low inventory for supplies needed for work. Collecting, preparing , and decontaminating samples from the species such as blood and other body fluids, tissues or secretions, and culture samples using techniques as prescribed by animal care and use protocols. Preparing charts, spreadsheets and summaries, cross referencing facts, dates, and other data.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born 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 https://www.e-verify.gov
• Shower out of biocontainment one or more times per day.
• Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's License Required.
• Vaccine(s) Required.
• Drug Test Required.
• SAC and full background investigation required for positions working with BSL-3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities.
• Select Agent.
• Lift 75 lbs. with occasional lifts of 100 pounds.
• Pre-employment physical examination and respirator fit test required.
• Works on weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings, as required.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in Grade: Current Federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet the time in grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience assisting higher level technicians in one or more phases of the research process; handling animals in an agricultural, commercial, or research setting; and operating common laboratory or field equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Animal Science, Biology, or Zoology, and related fields. OR A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above. Physical Demands: The incumbent performs activities involved in the care, treatment, and observation of animals, and collecting of biological specimens. Moderate to heavy physical exertion is required daily for restraining larges animals and moving feed, hay, bedding, and equipment (up to 75 pounds). May be required to move large animal carcasses and/or portion of carcasses in carts weighing up to 300 pounds with the support of handling equipment. May require standing on a ladder to complete overhead tasks, i.e., the cleaning and changing of filters; stooping, bending, reaching, and active walking. The incumbent may frequently be required to do physical activity while wearing a respirator which requires extra effort. Work Environment: Work is in a Biosafety Level 2, 3, 4 Ag, and/or BSL-4 facility. The work is performed in animal holding facilities where natural and man-made environmental extremes (i.e., rain, snow, ice, sunlight, heat, cold, and high humidity) are present. Because this is an exigency position, the incumbent is expected to report for duty when the laboratory is closed due to hazardous weather, heightened threat levels, or natural disasters. Work may involve discomforts such as having to spend long periods of time on concrete or slippery floors, exposure to bites, scratches, kicks, disagreeable odors, allergens, and animal wastes from diseased or distressed animals. In addition, the work may be in closely confined rooms and areas as well as outside areas. The incumbent works in all kinds of weather or in situations where temperature variance is considerable including long periods in the hot sun, and sometimes chilly or rainy weathers, exposed to dirt, dust, mud and sometimes chemical sprays and dusts. Works on weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings, as required. The incumbent is expected to work with animals infected with zoonotic diseases and therefore be required to follow shower procedures and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks or respirators, ear and eye and ear protection, boots, gloves, and coveralls. Various forms of respiratory protection equipment must be worn when working with certain infectious agents, chemicals, and animal allergens. PPE provides necessary protection against biological and chemical hazards but may increase risk of accidents due to decreased vision, hampered communication, and limited mobility and dexterity. Physical well-being may be compromised by the prolonged usage of the PPE may lead to labored respiration, heat stress and dehydration. Work may be performed daily in the presence of hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde, virucidal and bactericidal disinfectants, and detergents. 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 2150 Centre Avenue Building D, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80526 US
• Name: Nelly Wilson
• Phone: (703) 259-9360
• Email: [email protected]