Summary This position works with the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Bio & Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), Foreign Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit (FABADRU) in Manhattan, Kansas. Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. The grade level is limited only by the individual's demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology. *Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel. Responsibilities Identify, propose, and perform independent and collaborative research to achieve the research objectives. Provides unique leadership and research skills to contribute to the identification, description, and characterization of the effects of foreign animal diseases in livestock. Develop molecular, clinical, and virology techniques to understand virus-host interactions. Develop methods or therapies as countermeasures to infection and disease. Organize a research program by establishing research priorities providing leadership in planning research projects. Supervise the execution of research, review research in progress, evaluate completed research, lead discussions on the interpretation of results, and report and publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals the progress of research. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 REQUIREMENT(S): Below is listed the Individual Occupational Requirement(s) (IOR) for the series being advertised: MICROBIOLOGY GS-0403: 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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Graduate Education: Microbiology, or specific area of study such as bacteriology, virology, Evaluation of Education: Microbiology is a broad field of science encompassing a number of scientific disciplines or areas of science, the fields in which this science is applied, and related fields where the work is concerned with or involves microbiology, virology, or immunology. VETERINARY MEDICAL OFFICER (GS-0701): 1. Degree: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), obtained at a school or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education. The AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org, has a listing of all AVMA-accredited veterinary medical schools. OR 2. Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools that are not accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (Refer to AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org for information about schools in this category) must meet one of the following requirements: (a) Proof of certification of their final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG), (b) Possession of a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States that includes successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) or its predecessors, the National Board Examination (NBE) and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT), (c) Proof that the education obtained in a foreign veterinary medical program is equivalent to that gained in a veterinary medical program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. Under this provision, equivalency is established only if an AVMA-accredited veterinary medical school or college accepts the graduate's final transcript from the foreign veterinary medical school at full value for placement into an advanced degree, postgraduate educational program, or training program (e.g. residency or graduate program). In addition, graduates of foreign veterinary medical programs must also provide proof of proficiency in the English language by successfully completing one of the nationally and internationally recognized examinations that incorporate assessments of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Examples of examinations that assess mastery of the English language are shown below: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Minimum scores for the TOEFL are 560 for the paper-based version; 220 for the computer-based version; or overall score of 83 for the internet-based version (including 26 or higher in speaking, 26 or higher in listening, and 17 or higher in writing). For the computer-based and paper-based test versions, applicants must also complete the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and the Test of Written English (TWE). Minimum required scores are 55 for the TSE and 5.5 for the TWE; Academic tests (listening, writing, and speaking) offered by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 7.0, with at least 7.0 in speaking, 6.5 in listening, and 6.0 in writing; OR Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 70, with at least 60 in speaking, 60 in listening, and 50 in writing. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE, ALL CANDIDATES MUST ALSO MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS BELOW. Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. GS-12 (GS-0403 ONLY): EXPERIENCE: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-12 grade level include one-year specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent independently implementing scientific principles, methods, and processes to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry into animal diseases and host-pathogen relationships dealing with the zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses. OR EDUCATION: Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the duties of the position (i.e. microbiology, virology, or immunology) GS-12 (GS-0701 ONLY): EXPERIENCE: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-12 grade level include one-year specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent independently implementing scientific principles, methods, and processes to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry into animal diseases and host-pathogen relationships dealing with the zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses. OR EDUCATION: Successful completion of a Master's degree in an area of specialization including, but not limited to: animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or other sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position. OR RESIDENCY/POST GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of two years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting the completion of this program. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL (0403 SERIES ONLY): EXPERIENCE: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-13 grade level include one-year specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent that includes experience in animal and/or arthropod work collecting samples for molecular analysis in compliance with US government animal welfare regulations and experience independently researching the molecular virology of zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses as evidenced through publications. Education QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED FROM ABOVE FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL (0701 SERIES ONLY): EXPERIENCE: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-13 grade level include one-year specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent that includes experience in animal and/or arthropod work collecting samples for molecular analysis in compliance with US government animal welfare regulations and experience independently researching the molecular virology of zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses as evidenced through publications. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of a PhD degree in an area of specialization including, but not limited to: animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or other sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position. OR RESIDENCY/POST GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of three years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting the completion of this program. OR BOARD CERTIFICATION FOR THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Specialty boards that are recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) certify eligible candidates as specialists in specific veterinary medical fields. Veterinarians who successfully complete all requirements for Diplomate status in an ABVS-recognized veterinary specialty organization may qualify for the GS-13 grade level. Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting their diplomate status. FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL (FOR BOTH SERIES): The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-14 grade level include one-year specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent that includes experience leading the planning and implementation of molecular virology-based study against zoonotic arthropod-borne virus-based diseases with accomplishments in virology and host-vector-pathogen interactions as demonstrated in scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, books, or similar scientific literature. FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL (FOR BOTH SERIES): The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-14 grade level include one-year specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent that includes a reputation that serves as a recruiting tool to your organization and experience in research that has led to international recognition as a technical authority and leader in virology of zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses. Research from the applicant has led to awards, honors, or recognition from major national and international organizations. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-14 or GS-15 grade levels. 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. To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications. Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Additional Information This position requires the selectee to undergo a pre-employment check and a full background investigation. Any offer made is considered a tentative job offer pending the outcome of the pre-employment check. Retention in the position is based upon a favorable adjudication of the background investigation. The incumbent will be subject to periodic reinvestigations. 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 71 out of a possible 100. 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.
