Status: Full-time position
Location: Orient Point, NY
Deadline Date: 2/12/13
Date Available:
Job Summary: This position is located in the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL), National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC). 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 with exotic and endemic animal disease causing agents.
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!
Qualifications: GS-07 Successful completion of 18 semester hours of graduate education in microbiology, biology or chemistry.
GS-08 Successful completion of 27 semester hours of graduate education in microbiology, biology or chemistry.
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.
Duties: Receives diagnostic specimens for Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) Investigations, selects appropriate test or viral identification procedure, conducts tests, and interprets and reports the results of the test or isolation method.
Performs tasks needed to prepare diagnostic reagents which include inoculation of cell cultures, animals; collection of animal tissues, cell culture fluid; purification techniques and molecular biology techniques.
Maintains accurate records of tests and experimental results, and recognizes and records variations in test results due to cell culture changes, chicken embryo lesions, or animal reactions.
Incumbent is expected to recognize problems in the assignment, make pertinent observations, draw conclusions and make suggestions for improvement of diagnostic and developmental procedures.
Prepares accurate, written reports describing test procedures and results.
Conducts bench training for technicians from FADDL and other laboratories and assists in training courses with demonstrations and brief presentations.
Maintains select agent inventories as required by the organization.
Conducts bench and diagnostic validation experiments: operating standard laboratory equipment, performing diagnostic testing, performing animal studies and diagnostic assay development and/or validation.
Assists in document preparation: standard operating procedures, forms, inventories, manuscripts for publication, applications for regulatory approvals or project funding.
To Apply:
A complete on-line application will require the submission of the following
Resume
Responses to the vacancy specific questions (you will be prompted to complete these questions during the online application process)
Supporting Documentation which may be required
For more information or to apply online, visit
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/337197800