If selected, you will be responsible for simulation modeling, statistical analysis, and/or ecological/epidemiological modeling, using your knowledge of spatial ecology, population ecology, disease ecology, epidemiology, and/or wildlife management and proficiency in at least one programming language. You will also frequently communicate with a variety of stakeholders. This is a term position for 13 months and may be extended up to 4 years.
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: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to the basic requirement above, applicants must also meet the following: FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Assisting in developing disease transmission models in animal populations. Analyzing epidemiological processes using a programming language (e.g., R, MatLab, Python, C++, or similar). Developing and fitting statistical models to disease surveillance data for risk assessment and/or surveillance design applications. Experience with spatial statistics, spatial ecology, and/or manipulating spatial data such as geographic information systems data. Communicating technical information both orally (at conferences, workshops, and meetings with stakeholders) and in writing (for peer-reviewed publications) to diverse audiences, especially disease managers. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, applied statistics, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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 described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
The duties may include, but are not limited to:
Conducts research related to one health and/or invasive species management.
Develops models, analyzes data and write peer-reviewed publications or technical reports.
Conducts all phases of research with minimal oversight.
Designs projects that represent a major segment of agency's operating programs.
Applies data science and modeling techniques and procedures.
Develops mathematical algorithms and writes statistical computer programs.
Automate data flows and build dashboards to help stakeholders track and visualize management progress and disease surveillance.