Biological Science Specialist
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Job Location:
Manhattan, IL - USA
Yearly Salary:
$ 74678 - 116362
Posted on:
Yesterday
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Summary
This position works in the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) Biorisk Management unit (BRM). The Biological Science Specialist is responsible for working as a team member of the BRM on tasks relating to policies procedures guidance documents inspections and records and reports to ensure compliance with regulations for registration with the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP).
- Participates in the planning implementation coordination and integration of NBAF Biosafety and high containment operations activities.
- Participates in the development and/or review of procedures documents checklists and other tools.
- Providing input into the training and administration of the NBAF Diagnostics and Research Biologics Inventory (DARBI) database management system.
- Performs coordinates and conducts regularly scheduled inventory audits of physical biological inventory storage and data accuracy within the DARBI.
- Provides input into the scheduling and conducting of inspections and/or surveys of various biosafety level (BSL) laboratory and support service areas of NBAF.
- Develops coordinates and reviews biosafety and containment operations related SOPs work instructions risk assessments checklists plans and other tools to ensure program compliance with regulatory components.
- Performs routine validation and sterility testing for containment systems such as autoclaves effluent decontamination system (EDS) and thermal tissue autoclaves.
- Participates in incident investigations in containment and inventory discrepancies concerning biological materials.
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
- Successful completion of one-year probationary period unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
- 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 Justice Information Services (CJIS) database check required for work involving Biological Select Agents and Toxins.
- Must have the ability to work in a biological containment and maximum containment laboratories. Immunizations may be acquired before entering the laboratories.
- Use of respiratory protection and appropriate PPE to include the use of a fully encapsulating suit may be required. Respirator fitting and certification is required.
- Must have the ability to operate a Government-Owned Vehicle (GOV) or Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) for official purposes. A qualified drivers license is required.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education as defined below.
Basic Education Requirement:
Degree: biological sciences agriculture natural resource management chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major as shown above plus appropriate experience or additional education.
AND In addition to the basic requirements above all applicants must also meet the following minimum qualification requirements:
GS-11:
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position specialized experience is experience:
- working for a biorisk or biosafety program in a BSL3/4 laboratory;
- implementing guidelines and polices related to high containment laboratories;
- participating in inventory control and accountability; and
- developing oversight on procedures related to biosafety and high containment operations.
OR a combination of doctorate-level education and specialized experience as described above.
GS-12:
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position specialized experience is experience:
- leading a biorisk or biosafety program in a BSL3/4 laboratory;
- developing and implementing guidelines and polices related to high containment laboratories;
- leading inventory control and accountability; and
- developing and providing oversight on procedures related to biosafety and high containment operations.
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.
Education
Please see above for education qualification requirement information.
Additional information
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Reemployment Priority List (RPL) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP RPL or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified based on an evaluation of the following competencies: . To be well-qualified applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job.
Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.
Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given a new appointment to the civil service.
This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential you will be placed under a career development plan and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
Work Environment:
- Work is performed in an office setting research laboratories indoor animal holding facilities necropsy rooms insectaries and building mechanical spaces involved with FSAP compliance inspections.
- Involves onsite work in laboratories and animal facilities involving wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) including a respirator (N-95 or PAPR) or a fully encapsulated air pressurized suit while entering infectious disease laboratories or animal facilities areas.
- Temperature extremes are common as well as exposure to disagreeable odors working around frightened unpredictable and ill-natured animals and exposure to the risks and hazards of harmful biological chemical and physical agents.
- Immunizations with vaccines may be required to enter facilities conducting work with human or zoonotic diseases.
- The work requires special safety precautions (use of PPE) and enrollment in the Respiratory Protection Program (RPP). For approved use of respirators. RPP approval for use of respirators at NBAF requires a medical clearance and fit testing. Examples of respirators used at NBAF include N-95 or PAPR.
- Work may require access to BSL-4 containment environments that require approval and training for use of a fully encapsulated air pressurized suit.
- The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
IC
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