Biologist / Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer (Canine Handler)

Full Job Description

In these positions, you will apply your expertise to develop safe and effective methods aimed at reducing agricultural, biological, plant health, and natural resource risks.

Please Note: Position titles and locations are shown in the "additional information" section of this announcement.

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 in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, entomology, 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.

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: Configuring and supporting LIMS workflows; maintaining relational databases; contributing to requirements, testing, and documentation; troubleshooting software issues and supporting ISO 17025 standards; and translating needs between lab experts and developers.

Designing, conducting, and analyzing captive bird research and behavioral assays; managing complex datasets and coding analytical workflows; applying statistical analyses to test hypotheses; and contributing to publications and presentations as author or coauthor.

Analyzing large genomic datasets from high-resolution sequencing methods; developing code for data processing in R and Linux/Unix within HPC environments; applying statistical analyses to test biological hypotheses and inform management or conservation; conducting genetically explicit simulations; and contributing to applied wildlife genetics publications, including as first author.

Applying traditional and nontraditional canine training methods to develop detection behaviors; conducting detector dog inspections in varied environments; providing recommendations on guidelines and operational standards for canine programs; planning and coordinating canine operational activities for emerging programs; and performing pre-pest-identification inspections to ensure regulatory compliance.

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, 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. Major Duties:

• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Provide technical support and guidance on Laboratory Information Management Systems and database issues.
• Identifying and helping to resolve database and information system vulnerabilities.
• Assisting in designing primers, probes, and diagnostic technologies.
• Develop, refine, and implement computational workflows and analytical pipelines.
• Compiling and organizing diagnostic data for presentations.
• Integrate population genetics, statistical analysis, bio informatics, and simulation methods to address applied wildlife management and human–wildlife conflict questions.
• Interpret and apply regulatory measures related to the exclusion and eradication of foreign pest introductions.
• Conducting detector dog-based inspections of commodities and conveyances.
• Performing daily animal husbandry tasks.