Status: Full-time position
Location: Ames, IA
Deadline Date: 5/9/13
Date Available:
Job Summary: This position is located in the Diagnostic Virology Laboratory (DVL), National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), Ames, Iowa. 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 (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: Education
GS-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.
Duties: Receives diagnostic specimens for virologic or serologic examination, reads history or specific requests of field personnel, selects appropriate test or viral identification procedure, arranges sequence to accommodate urgent demands from field personnel or changes in workload, conducts tests or assigns to lower level technicians under his/her leadership, reads and interprets the results of the test or isolation method, and reports results to the appropriate officials.
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; purification techniques such as ultracentrifugation, ultrafiltration, and gradient centrifugation; evaluation of the efficacy of the reagents; and test standardization.
Following a standard outline plans working details, makes measurements, and observes results of tests such as complement fixation, immunodiffusion, enzyme immunoassay, immunofluorescence, virus titrations, molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot, etc; maintains accurate records of tests and experimental results, and recognizes and records variations in test results.
Assumes responsibility for conducting sections of developmental projects such as: a) prepares titrates, and makes standard aliquots of antigens, viruses, antiserums, and conjugates, b) develops or adapts diagnostic test methods for use in NVSL, c) 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, make pertinent observations, draw conclusions, and make suggestions for improvement of diagnostic and developmental procedures.
Prepares accurate, written reports describing test procedures and results and summarizes findings on assigned portions of developmental projects. Uses computer data systems such as Laboratory Information Management Systems, spreadsheets, and databases.
Conducts bench training for technicians from DVL and other laboratories and assists in training courses with demonstrations and brief presentations.
To Apply:
A complete online 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/342351400