Requirements
Conditions of employment
Due to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) process enhancement to use Shared Certificates throughout the Agency, some of the requirements below may differ:
- US Citizenship is required.
- Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (http://www.sss.gov).
- May be subject to a Background/Security Investigation. Security clearance level may differ from the position announced when certificates are shared.
- CDC participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). If selected, CDC will determine your employment eligibility using your social security number.
- Direct deposit is required.
- One-year probationary period may be required.
- This position may be subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- This position may be subject to the OGE Financial Disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). CDC inspires public confidence in its trust responsibilities and mission by maintaining high ethical principles. If selected, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency. If identified, this will be an annual requirement.
- In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 15, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. This position may require a Drug Test and be subject to Random Drug Testing. The position may require the submission of a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative test result.
Qualifications
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Basic Qualifications:
You must have a bachelor's degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics.
OR
Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Minimum Qualifications:
To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level, which must include the following experience: performing quantitative measurements of biomarkers in biological samples using a variety of highly technical instrumentation within a quality-controlled laboratory environment. Applying relevant regulations and procedures in a laboratory setting and conducting chemical and clinical analyses of samples which includes operating advanced technical instrumentation such as mass spectrometers.
OR
Have completed 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that is directly related to the duties of the position.
OR
Have a combination of education and specialized experience that together meets 100% of the qualification requirement for this position.
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.
Education
A copy of your transcripts or equivalent documentation is required for positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For more information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
This position is being filled through Direct Hire Authority for this occupation and is open to all US Citizens.
Vacancies will be filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority. For more information on OPM's authorization of Direct Hire Authority, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/
The Federal government, as the largest employer in the Nation, can and should show the way towards achieving drug-free workplaces through programs designed to offer drug users a helping hand, and at the same time demonstrating to drug users and potential drug users that drugs will not be tolerated in the Federal workplace if declared a drug-testing position. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public.
Incentives:
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.
The utilization of shared certificates for additional selections within the same geographical area can be made from multiple Centers of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet all of the requirements outlined in the qualification section of this announcement in order to be considered "well qualified."
Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To receive selection priority for this position, individuals on the RPL must meet the qualification requirements, complete all required assessments and be rated as qualified. RPL candidates are ranked using Category Rating procedures.
To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires two additional assessments:
SME Resume Review - Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume will be completed Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you meet the required specialized experience referenced in this announcement. If, after reviewing your resume, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position and may not move forward to the next phase of the hiring process.
Structured Interview - Upon determination the required specialized experience has been met, you may be invited to participate in a structured interview led by panel members to measure critical general competencies required to perform the job.
The Structured Interview includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in the below critical competencies:
- Chemistry
- Continuous Development
- Oral Communication
- Problem Solving
You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the interview.
If you are found to be among the top-qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you MUST submit a complete Application Package which includes the following. Note: All documents must be in English. Resumes must not exceed 2 pages in length.
1. Resume - Must reflect name, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (month/year) of employment and duties performed.
Current/former Federal employee:
- Must reflect pay plan, series and grade, i.e., GS-0301-9.
Dos and Don'ts:
Cover Letter is optional.
2. Transcripts (if applicable) - You may submit an unofficial transcript. An official transcript from an accredited educational institution is required if you are selected.
3. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/ Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):
- Supporting documentation i.e., Reduction in Force (RIF) notice or Certificate of Expected Separation (CES), AND most recent:
- Current annual performance appraisal
- SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action)
4. Current or Former Political Appointees: Agencies must seek prior approval from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. Current or Former Political Appointees: Submit SF-50.
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
For Résumé and Application Tips visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Tips.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.