Interdisciplinary Supervisory- Biological Scientist/Veterinary Medical Officer

Full Job Description

This position serves as serves as the Supervisor of the Safety and Security Unit (SSU) which is responsible for managing safety and occupational health programs, security and emergency operations, as well as the select agent program for USDA facilities which are part of the National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH).

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

TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement outlined in the Education section below.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Biologist (0401): Degree: Successfully completed bachelor's or higher degree in 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.

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: 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: Managing a biosafety (safety and health and biosecurity) program utilizing principles, concepts and methods of security, safety, and compliance administration.

Developing, implementing, and evaluating an operational program which ensures regulatory compliance with biosafety, safety, occupational health, and select agent regulations, standards, and guidelines (including decontamination or inactivation issues and biological select agents or toxins).

Serving as a subject matter expert on a collaborative task force to design new policies or methods for dealing with significant biosafety, safety, occupational health, and/or select agent compliance issues.

Experience with institutional animal care and use committees (IACUC) or institutional review boards (IRB) or institutional biosafety committees (IBC) or Federal Select Agent Program forms and registrations (e.g.

submitted protocols/forms or served on a committee). Creating, leading implementation, and providing training on safety or security regulations surrounding laboratory work.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required. 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.

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:
• Participates with the NCAH Board of Directors in the application and execution of policies in the areas of safety, security, and select agent activities.
• Provides overall direction and supervision of unit staff of approximately 30 FTEs, which includes a combination of Federal employees and contract guard staff.
• Designated as a Responsible Official in accordance with CFR requirements for the Center Select Agent programs.
• Applies veterinary medical and/or microbiological expertise in overseeing safety programs responsible for ensuring that Agency and Program guidelines.
• Provides expert counsel concerning execution of policies/functions, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements governing activities and safety/biosafety/environmental programs.
• Provides expert advice and guidance to Center Programs, Supervisor, and the board on a wide variety of matters pertaining to biosecurity and safety.
• Ensures that security program policy and/or direction is developed, implemented, and evaluated in accordance with applicable Federal regulations and guidelines.
• Oversees all activities related to medical surveillance, employee health programs, and environmental safety programs.
• 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.