Status: Full-time position
Location: Ames, IA
Salary: $31,315.00 to $50,431.00
Deadline Date: 2/4/13
Date Available:
Job Summary: This position is located in the Diagnostic Virology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories. The incumbent is responsible for organizing and managing a wide variety of standard techniques in performing diagnostic tests, reagent production, developmental studies, and training assignments related to animal viruses.
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Marketing and Regulatory Programs needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. MRP offers an array of occupations and is committed to diversity in the workplace. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people.
Qualifications: Education
IONGS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study, or at least 24 semester hours, in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics, with at least 6 semester hours in microbiology, biology or chemistry. OR The successful completion of a full course of study of at least 12 months in a school for clinical laboratory technicians may be substituted for the 1 year of specialized experience required
GS-6 Successful completion of 9 semester hours of graduate level education in microbiology, biology, or chemistry.
GS-7 Successful completion of 18 semester hours of graduate level education in microbiology, biology, or chemistry.
Duties: Receives diagnostic specimens for virologic or serologic examination, selects appropriate test or viral identification procedure.
Reports unusual findings or difficult situations to microbiologist or veterinarian in the Section for special instructions.
Performs tasks needed to prepare diagnostic reagents which include inoculation of cell cultures, animals, and embryonating chicken eggs; collection of animal tissues, cell culture fluid, and egg fluid.
Plans working details, makes measurements, and observes results of tests, such as complement fixation, immunodiffusion, enzyme immunoassay, immunofluorescence, etc.; maintains accurate records of tests and experimental results.
Prepares titrates and makes standard aliquots of antigens, viruses, antiserums, and conjugates; develops or adapts diagnostic test methods for use in NVSL; participates in diagnostic assay validation and application of assays to external research projects.
Takes references such as laboratory protocols, journal articles, or rough outlines from a professional and conducts virologic techniques making modifications to the procedure as required, documenting outcomes, and assessing procedure performance.
Recognizes problems in assignments and procedures, makes pertinent observations, draws conclusions, and makes suggestions for improvement of diagnostic and developmental procedures.
Prepares accurate written reports describing test procedures and results and summarizes findings.
Conducts bench training for technicians from DVL and other laboratories and assists in training courses with demonstrations and brief presentations.
To Apply:
For more information please visit https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/336081900