As a Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer/Biological Scientist, you will serve as Section Head of the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL). You will plan, formulate, develop, and coordinate all aspects of the diagnostics, reagents, proficiency and validation, or biologics stockpiling section of FADDL. Your work will assure accurate and immediate laboratory identification and preparedness efforts of foreign animal diseases that have national importance to livestock species.
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: Biologist (0401): Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR Combination of education and experience: post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Veterinary Medical Officer (0701): All applicants to 0701 series must meet the Basic Requirement outlined in the Education section below. FOR THE 0401 AND 0701 SERIES GS-14 LEVEL: In addition to the Basic Requirements, applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Writing, reviewing, and approving diagnostic case reports, test validation documents, or standard operating procedures for laboratories. Advising and leading staff for laboratory activities such as diagnostic testing, reagent production, and proficiency testing. Applying quality management principles, such as ISO accreditation and standardization principles to laboratory work. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. 0401 Series Transcripts are required. You must provide documentation outlined in the Required Documents section of this job announcement. 0701 Series Transcripts are required. You must provide documentation outlined in the Education section of this job announcement. 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.
The duties may include, but are not limited to:
Supervising subordinates more than 25% of the time including, but not limited to, recruitment, selecting, appraising, rewarding, addressing performance problems, and fostering an inclusive workplace.
Technical expert in the study and diagnosis of foreign animal diseases and coordinates all activities required for diagnostic work as supervisor of the Section.
Provides a specialized expertise in the differential diagnosis of exotic diseases.
Completes diagnostic and safety tests on samples of animal origin and related products.
Maintains the select agent inventory of dangerous pathogens within the regulatory requirements and quality control of diagnostic materials used.
Develops new and/or improves existing laboratory procedures for detection of FAD agents and their antibodies, including protocol documentation.
Develops appropriate materials and maintains an expertise on FADs to develop and provide leadership in conducting specialized seminars and training sessions.
Support FADDL’s role as a reference laboratory for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN).
Evaluate and interpret scientific and diagnostic reports and conclusions pertaining to animal disease eradication and control procedures.