Interdisciplinary Research Entomologist/Research Molecular Biologist

Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens and Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required.

• Conducts team research on tick vector ecology, population genetics, and vector competency for high-consequence zoonotic pathogens.
• Plans, coordinates, and executes multidisciplinary research activities of assigned and collaborating scientists, preparing annual project plans and reports.
• Integrates knowledge from molecular biology, immunology, and veterinary medicine to evaluate host-pathogen interactions and transmission.
• Develops novel approaches and modifies existing technologies to characterize host responses to infections at molecular, cellular, and animal levels.
• Provides technical and administrative supervision to a Biological Science Technician, including selection, work assignment, and performance evaluation.
• Executes research protocols safely within low and high-containment facilities, adhering to strict BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 biosafety regulations.
• Conducts collaborative research using molecular and genomic tools to characterize arthropod-borne pathogen transmission and host-pathogen interactions.
• Manages laboratory resources, personnel, and high-containment workflows to ensure research is conducted safely under BSL-2/3/4 conditions as appropriate.
• Integrates molecular findings with ecological and entomological data to improve prediction and prevention of high-consequence veterinary and zoonotic diseases.
• Publishes peer-reviewed research and communicates findings to scientific, regulatory, and agricultural stakeholders.

Conditions of employment

• 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.
• Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• 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/.
• The position supports the biocontainment facilities and may require entry into biosafety level (BSL) 3, 3 enhanced, 3 Ag and BSL-4 labs.
• The incumbent must demonstrate the physical and psychological capability to conduct normal duties that are appropriate to their position.
• This position requires the selectee to undergo a pre-employment check and a full background investigation.

Qualifications

Additional Requirements: In addition to meeting the basic requirements in the education section, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below.

GS-12: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 level of this position are: Experience assisting with applied research in vector biology, entomology, or molecular biology. This includes experience participating in research studies on arthropod vectors (such as ticks or mosquitoes); utilizing laboratory techniques like molecular cloning, PCR, or cell culture to analyze host-pathogen interactions; managing biological samples safely under BSL-2 or higher containment protocols; and contributing data or text to scientific manuscripts and annual progress reports.
OR
Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree, if related. Related degrees include genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, ecology.
OR
A combination of education and experience as specified above.

GS-13: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-13 level of this position are: Experience planning and executing independent research projects focusing on tick vector ecology, population genetics, or vector competency for zoonotic or emerging pathogens. This includes experience establishing or maintaining arthropod/vector colonies for research; modifying or adapting scientific methodologies to investigate viral pathogens (such as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever or related high-consequence agents); managing assigned project resources or funding; and serving as a primary author on peer-reviewed scientific publications or technical reports.

GS-14: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-14 level of this position are: Experience leading a multidisciplinary research program or project focused on the transmission dynamics, vector ecology, and host-pathogen interactions of foreign animal or zoonotic diseases. This includes experience serving as a Principal Investigator directing research on high-consequence viral pathogens within high-biocontainment facilities (BSL-3 or BSL-4); establishing collaborative scientific partnerships; providing technical supervision or administrative oversight to laboratory staff; and publishing authoritative, peer-reviewed research findings that influence national or international agricultural health strategies.

GS-15: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-15 level of this position are: Experience providing senior scientific leadership, strategic direction, and program oversight for a national-level research portfolio dedicated to biodefense and foreign animal disease intervention strategies. This includes experience serving as an international authority in vector biology or molecular virology; conceptualizing novel research frameworks to counter high-consequence zoonotic threats (such as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus); directing complex operations in maximum biocontainment (BSL-4) environments; managing substantial institutional budgets and personnel structures; and presenting definitive scientific findings to federal leadership and international advisory bodies to safeguard public and agricultural health.

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.

Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

To comply with USDA personnel security requirements and requirements of the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP) for access to information and areas with Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT), including Tier One Select Agents at NBAF, the incumbent must meet the following:

• Pre-employment and random testing of substances of abuse;
• Participation in and adherence to the facility's Occupational Health Program;
• Participation in and adherence to the facility's Personal Reliability Program;
• The ability to obtain/maintain favorably adjudicated Background Investigations or Security clearances (required by USDA);
• The ability to obtain/maintain a favorable Security Risk Assessment (required by FSAP).

To prevent the transmission of disease out of biocontainment and retention of the position, the incumbent must meet the following medical standards in a pre-employment medical examination conducted after the receipt of a preliminary job offer and on a periodic basis:

• Ability to shower out of biocontainment one or more times per day;
• Not have any uncontrolled skin condition which would prevent this;
• Body piercings must be able to be removed prior to entry and / or meet biosafety approval;
• External medical assist devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering or not impede the ability to enter biocontainment, and the individual must still be able to shower out safely without assistance;
• Ability to follow instructions regarding decontamination from biocontainment;
• Any medical condition which could create an unsafe environment for the individual or his/her co-workers, such as: insufficient control of a medical disorder which could result in sudden loss of consciousness; and inadequate vision and hearing required for safety in a laboratory environment.

Medical confidentiality will be maintained by the examining physician and only fitness (or unfit) for duty determination will be indicated. The incumbent will also be required to pass periodic fitness for duty physicals. In addition, a medical clearance will be required in the event that it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator or other respiratory protection is required.

A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities. For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF which are transmissible to humans may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness under the provision of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended 21 USC 321-392. Where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for investigational purposes, the incumbent will be advised that such immunization is voluntary.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Eligible applicants will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Applicants with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.

To view the application form, visit:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12992284

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

• Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed 2 pages.
• If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
• If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
• If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS
• Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

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