Status: Full-time position
Location: Orient Point, NY
Salary: $53,500.00 to $69,545.00
Deadline Date: 2/03/13
Date Available:
Job Summary: Relocation expenses will not be paid.
The position is located in the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) NVSL, at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC). The key functions of the FADDL are the diagnosis of animal disease foreign to the United States, the development of diagnostic tests and reagents and training for foreign animal disease diagnosis. The purpose of this position is to develop procedures, tests and reagents for the diagnosis of foreign animal diseases based upon molecular biological principles.
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) 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. Join our team!
This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months. Appointment may be extended up to 4 years without reannouncing. For more details click: Term Appointments
APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Qualifications: Basic Requirement A. Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent. OR B. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Examples of qualifying education can be found at the following web address: Examples of Qualifying Education http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mrpbs/hr/job_opportunities/usajobs.shtml
Applicants can qualify by meeting the EDUCATION requirements specified below and/or the Specialized Experience requirements.
Education:
GS-09: Successful completion of 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education or a Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in microbiology or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
Transcripts are required if:
•This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
•You are qualifying for the position based on education.
•You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. For more information on submitting transcripts, click: Transcripts SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-9 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal Service. This experience may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors.
Examples of qualifying experience at the GS-9 Grade Level include, but are not limited to:
•The candidate will have experience in Polymerase Chain Reaction testing, Real Time experience preferred, and will have extensive experience in mammalian cell culture and Virus Isolation, and be able to troubleshoot the performance of these tests as well as demonstrate sterile technique.
•The position requires experience with microfiltration, micro-dialysis, and micro-pipetting, in addition to experience working with livestock animals.
•The ideal candidate will have contributed to published scientific works and oral presentations. These experiences will be valuable for publishing and/or presenting the results of this study to various interested groups.
•Experience in detailed record keeping and performance of work according to accredited QA/QC standards. The ideal candidate should have familiarity with a working quality management system, and ability to not only follow written protocols, but be able to contribute with the generation of new protocols to the required level of QA/QC.
Combination of Education & Experience at the GS-9 Grade Level:
Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.
Special Conditions:
•Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with the Selective Service.
•DD214 (Member 4 copy) or other veterans' documents required to receive veterans' preference.
•As a condition of employment, a background investigation may be required for this position.
•Transcripts must be submitted for this position.
•Subject to satisfactory completion of one year trial period.
•We understand that accepting a position with Veterinary Services may require the need for spousal career placement assistance. To help you and your family make a successful career transition, Veterinary Services is dedicated to providing information on career placement assistance. Please visit the following web links for more information:
•This position is subject to unscheduled overnight details of undetermined lengths in the event of animal health emergencies or other conditions requiring immediate response, as required by the Agency. (Extensive periods of time may be designated for overnight details.)
•Due to the contagious nature to livestock of foot-and-mouth disease, and other diseases under study at PIADC, PIADC Biological Safety Regulations specify a personal quarantine for employees working in PIADC BSL-3 biocontainment. As a condition for employment, all personnel entering the BSL-3 biocontainment facilities at Plum Island shall not be in contact with specific susceptible animals off the Plum Island premises for a period of five (5) days after leaving biocontainment. Currently, restricted species are cattle, sheep, goats, deer & other ruminants, & swine. Horses, birds (agricultural and pet birds) & rabbits are normally permitted but restrictions may be placed on staff working with contagious agents affecting these species. Employees who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or subject to other disciplinary actions. Restricted livestock or other restricted animals should not be housed on the premises where the employee under quarantine restrictions lives.
•Required to travel daily to and from Orient Point, New York and Plum Island or Saybrook, Connecticut aboard a Government-provided marine vessel.
Duties: The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
The duties may include, but are not limited to Your assignment is in the area of pathogenic viruses of domestic livestock and zoo animals. You are responsible for performance of molecular techniques for the detection and identification of viral nucleic acid from both animal tissue and cell culture. Prepares reagents and solutions for projects involving the development of rapid and sensitive molecular diagnostic methods. Participates in and prepares reports on developmental projects and keeps supervisor informed on status of projects. Conducts training sessions and laboratory demonstrations. Responsible for the maintenance and operation of laboratory equipment including HPLC, Thermocyclers and Sequencing apparatus. Conducts all aspects of nucleic acid sequencing.
To Apply:
If you wish to be considered for this position you will need to apply on-line. You can access this vacancy announcement through USAJOBS at http://www.usajobs.gov. Please read the announcement carefully for information on how to apply to this vacancy.
Microbiologist
24VS-2013-0041
GS-0403A
Orient Point, NY, US