Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer/Research Microbiologist (Research Leader)

This position is located within the ARS, Plains Area, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit (FADRU) in Manhattan, KS.

To be considered for an interview, please make sure your application is full in line with the job specs as found below.

In this position, you will serve as Research Leader and will provide leadership to the Unit and coordinate with other scientists, the Area Office, the NBAF Center Director, and the Office of National Programs to determine the most fruitful research directions to accomplish the goals and objectives within the approved project plans.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and / or education, as defined below.

Additional Requirements

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements described in the Education section below, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below.

GS-14

Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-14 level of this position are :

• Experience planning, conducting, and leading research related to virology, immunology, or pathology in animals;
• Publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals;
• Presenting research findings at national scientific meetings;
• Managing funds on research grants;
• Providing guidance to technicians and stakeholders in accomplishing research objectives;
• Ensuring the development of well-trained scientific and technical staff.

GS-15

Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-15 level of this position are :

Other Significant Factors

The National Bio-and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) is an animal disease research facility. Its mission is research, diagnosis, and vaccinations for animal diseases foreign to the United States (U.S.) for the purpose of protecting American agriculture and domestic food sources from their potentially devastating effects. NBAF is vital to successfully protecting U.S. agriculture from the intentional or non-intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth disease.

This position is required to work in a biosafety level 3Ag environment where high threat livestock biologic agents can be transmitted by aerosol. The incumbent must demonstrate the physical and psychological capability to conduct normal duties that are appropriate to their position. To prevent the transmission of disease out of biocontainment and retention of the position, the incumbent must meet the following medical standards in a pre-employment medical examination conducted after the receipt of a preliminary job offer and on a periodic basis :

Not have any skin condition which would prevent this;

Insufficient control of a medical disorder which could result in sudden loss of consciousness;

Medical confidentiality will be maintained by the examining physician and only fitness (or unfit) for duty determination will be indicated. The incumbent will also be required to pass periodic fitness for duty physicals. In addition, a medical clearance will be required in the event that it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator is required (may not apply depending on the duties of the position).

Due to potential exposure to zoonotic agents and recommendations of CDC and OSHA some individuals must also be vaccinated for rabies or demonstrate a protective titer and also be currently vaccinated for tetanus and human influenza (may not apply depending on the duties of the position).

A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities. For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF which are transmissible to humans may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness under the provision of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended 21 USC 321-392. Where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for investigational purposes, the incumbent will be advised that such immunization is voluntary.

Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at NBAF, biosafety protocols specify a personal quarantine for employees working on specific infectious agents in designated areas of NBAF. As a condition for employment, all personnel entering these areas at NBAF shall not be in contact with specific susceptible animals and their premises away from NBAF for a period of five (5) days after leaving the area. Currently, restricted species are cattle, sheep, goats, deer, other ruminants, and swine. Contact with horses, birds (agricultural and pet birds) and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working with or near infectious agents affecting these species.

Restricted livestock or other restricted animals may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where the quarantine cannot be enforced. Employees who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or subject to other disciplinary actions

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