About this role
Job SummaryWhat General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? The Government Wide direct hire authority for GS-0401 Biological Sciences is being used to fill this position. Salary: $89,117.00 Per Year (Step 01) to $138,370.00 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01. Relocation expenses are authorized.
QualificationsBASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Biologist, all grade levels. A. Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. *OR* B. Combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position), plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. For GS-12: In addition to the basic education requirements as stated above, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equal to the next lower grade level. Examples of experience at the GS-11 level may include: Experience performing research with biological agents in a laboratory and/or field setting; experience leading and supporting biosafety practices in a scientific research environment at multiple biosafety levels (e.g., BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL); experience providing training and guiding scientists through risk assessments and policy interpretation; experience evaluating hierarchy of controls to ensure safety when working with biological agents; experience complying with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules; professional accreditation as a Certified Biosafety Professional (CBSP) or Registered Biosafety through the Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity (ABSA International) is preferred. For GS-13: In addition to the basic education requirements as stated above, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equal to the next lower grade level. Examples of this experience may include, but are not limited to: Examples of GS-12 level work may include: Experience performing research with biological agents in a laboratory and/or field setting; experience developing and leading a biosafety program in a scientific research environment at multiple biosafety levels (e.g., BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL); experience developing policy, training, and risk assessments; experience applying hierarchy of controls in novel situations involving biological agents; experience implementing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules; professional accreditation as a Certified Biosafety Professional (CBSP) or Registered Biosafety through the Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity (ABSA International) is preferred. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
Major DutiesThe USGS Office of Science Quality and Integrity is seeking a Biosafety Staff Scientist located in Madison, WI to support the USGS-wide biosafety program with specific duties on-site following biosafety best-practices along with USGS directives and Federal Select Agent requirements. As a biosafety staff scientist, some specific major duties include: Develops and oversees biosafety policies, procedures, training, guidance, and tools to biological research with high-risk pathogens, including select agents. Implements and evaluates scientific and safety-related laboratory practices, including test procedures, specimen management, and high-risk work with select agents, and oversees operations to ensure compliance with applicable policies and regulations. Develops and maintains SOPs, training, and other documentation to support safe, efficient, and effective laboratory operations. Serves as the primary liaison between on-site laboratories, USGS leadership, and Select Agent Program personnel to coordinate health and safety activities. Plans and implements a comprehensive health and safety program for applicable facilities, and maintains required records of inspections, incidents, resolutions, and employee training in accordance with USGS policies and regulations. Participates in laboratory facility reviews and risk assessments, laboratory equipment and facility certification, specialized decontaminations, and responses to emergencies involving biological and chemical agents. Conducts site-specific safety training and drills for laboratory and supervisory personnel to improve microbiologic practices, biosafety, and regulatory compliance, including requirements of the Federal Select Agent Program. Maintains ongoing communication with external emergency responders (fire, police, and medical teams) to support coordinated response in the event of an emergency. Professional accreditation as a Certified Biosafety Professional (CBSP) or Registered Biosafety through ABSA International is desirable but can be achieved after onboarding and training is complete. Successful candidates for this position must be willing to learn new subject matters, work independently to ensure the safety and well-being of USGS staff and animal subjects, be able to quickly shift work priorities to accomplish emerging needs, use questioning and influence to guide discussions, be adept at multiple levels of effective communication (i.e., written, verbal, presentation, training), be willing to take on any task no matter how big or small, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, value collaboration, and be adept at using influence to reach consensus.RequirementsKey Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record. Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam. Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? This vacancy is limited to the first 100 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes. Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued. A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.