Microbiologist
Job Location:
Albany, GA - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Serves as a microbiologist in the Microbiology Branch of the Laboratory Regulatory Operations (LRO) Office of Public Health Science. Performs microbiological analyses on regulatory samples as well as various tasks associated with the adaptation and validation of methods and test systems used in field laboratories in the analysis of meat poultry and egg products. The samples are submitted by various Food Safety and Inspection Service field personnel located throughout the United States.
- Performs microbial analyses on a variety of samples of meat poultry and egg products.
- Performs microbial examinations of meat or poultry products and their ingredients to determine presence numbers and species of bacteria Salmonella Listeria Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) Campylobacter.
- Prepares and maintains reagents.
- Performs lot acceptance on commercially acquired test kits and reagents.
- Operates and maintains a variety of analytical instruments.
- Maintains quality control on instrumentation necessary to perform assigned analyses.
- Maintains quality assurance records to serve as documentation for ISO 17025 accreditation the Microbiological Laboratory Guidebook and the Quality Assurance Plan of the laboratory.
- Interprets and evaluates the results of the analyses according to FSIS and OPHS laboratory policy.
- Develops and writes laboratory and section work instructions spreadsheets and forms for adoption into the laboratory quality system.
- Accurately reflects work performed daily by recording on prescribed documents and within the electronic Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
- Maintains quality assurance records in such a manner that they serve as documentation for ISO criteria for the USDA Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook and the Quality Assurance Plan of the Laboratory Guidebook.
- Presents findings in a transparent and accurate manner.
- 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 statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action including removal from Federal service.
- If you are selected you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
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 REQUIREMENT: Microbiologist (0403):This position has an individual occupational requirement that must be met in order to qualify for the position.
Individual Occupational Requirements IOR
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
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.
Additional information regarding Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) can be found here under 4f. Educational and Training Provisions or
Requirements.
Qualifications: Applicants can qualify for the different grades based on specialized experience education or a combination of specialized experience and education as outlined below.
To qualify at the GS-5: Fully meet the basic education requirements described in the individual occupational requirements (IOR).
To qualify at the GS-7: An applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade or its equivalent OR one year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement. To qualify based on specialized experience at the GS-7 grade an applicants experience must have met the following:
To qualify at the GS-9 grade: An applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7 grade or its equivalent OR two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a masters degree or masters or equivalent graduate degree. To qualify based on specialized experience at the GS-9 grade an applicants experience must have met the following:
To qualify at the GS-11 grade: An applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade or its equivalent OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. To qualify based on specialized experience at the GS-11 grade an applicants experience must have met the following:
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.
If education is required or you are using education to qualify you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. Do not simply submit your highest degree earned as many of the required courses MAY be on an undergraduate transcript. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however if you are selected you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school college or university.
If any education was completed at a foreign institute you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
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 (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
Selectees may be eligible for Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual (CSALA).
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e. physical or mental) covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position after notification of the adjudication of your request you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
This announcement may be used to fill additional like vacancies should any occur in the announced duty location(s).
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille large print audiotape etc.) should contact: USDAs TARGET Center at (voice and TDD).
It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. To see more information visit CHCO Council.
Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report.
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.
More information on applying under special hiring authorities such as 30 percent disabled veterans appointing authority may be found on the USAJOBS - Special Authorities.
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
