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Molecular Biologist - Beltsville, MD

*This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. 

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

DUTIES

  • The duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Assumes technical operational responsibility for planning, performing, optimizing, validating, and recording diagnostic laboratory activities within the quarantine program.
  • Conducts tests for many pathogens on many plants which are considered high risk and/or high value.
  • Assists other APHIS scientists in developing, adapting, and implementing new laboratory protocols for detecting foreign pathogens.
  • Maintains accurate and detailed experimental records and tabulates, statistically analyzes, and summarizes data.
  • Produce reports and communicate meaningful information in order to accurately identify healthy and infected plant introductions.
  • Maintains and practices good laboratory procedures including maintenance and custody of nucleic acid samples and data.

REQUIREMENTS

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
  • All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
  • There is regular exposure to areas sprayed with pesticides, some hazardous and toxic laboratory chemicals, various dusts, and plant pollens.
  • Protective equipment such as fume hoods, goggles, masks, gloves, and lab coats must be used in the lab.
  • Incumbent to submit to an FBI background investigation.

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: 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.

FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-9 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

  • Performing high throughput sequencing (HTS) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on samples for a variety of pathogens from different crops.
  • Using a wide range of molecular biology procedures, including nucleic acid extraction, qPCR analysis, and primer and probe designing.
  • Experience beta-testing new DNA/RNA-based technologies using new equipment, maintenance of lab equipment, and procurement of lab supplies.
  • Experience training others in HTS and/or PCR procedures, from extractions and quality control to data acquisition from a sequencer.
  • Authored technical documents including standard operating procedures, protocols, and technical reports.

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 closely related degrees.

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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Additional information

  • 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 85 out of a possible 100.
  • First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
  • This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit (union), specifically the National Association of Agricultural Employees.
  • Worksite Information: This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Additional information regarding ad hoc, occasional, or reoccurring telework may be obtained at a later time from the hiring manager or program during the hiring process.