Laboratory Worker Leader

Summary You will serve as a Laboratory Worker Leader at USDA's National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) based in Manhattan, Kansas and will perform/lead duties and tasks related to containment and glassware support, as well as providing Laboratory Support Services. Duties The duties may include, but are not limited to: Oversee laboratory support for NBAF’s Biosafety Level (BSL)-2, BSL-3E and Ag, BSL-4, and Biotechnology Development Module (BDM) Track all routine laboratory maintenance Stacks lunchroom chairs, tables, and collects waste receptables as part of cleaning/decontamination processes Monitor BSL-2, BSL-3E and Ag, BSL-4, BDM, and containment lunchroom cleaning and decontamination tasks by performing routine checks of housekeeping tasks, manual labor, and other activities Cleans, decontaminates, and deodorizes waste containers and carts Follows high security safety regulations to decontaminate and remove materials from the laboratory Maintains all restroom supplies such as toilet paper, paper towels, soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc. in the restrooms, locker rooms, and laboratory spaces Makes rounds within the BDM, BSL-2, BSL-3E and 3Ag and BSL-4 laboratories with hand operated carts to pick-up decontaminated non-disposable and disposable glassware items from individual laboratory 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. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information. 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/ Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use. Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application. 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. Qualifications To qualify, you must show you have had training and experience of sufficient scope and quality to provide you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Your answers to the vacancy specific questions must be supported by the work experience in your resume. For example, if you respond in the affirmative when questioned whether you have experience using and disposing of disinfectants and/or other hazardous chemicals according to established procedures and applicable regulation your resume must include this experience, mindful that experience may not be inferred by job title. 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 This position does not have an education qualification requirement. 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. The incumbent must receive and maintain a favorably adjudicated Personnel Suitability Level background investigation and a Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) approval for handling and storing select agents and toxins. The incumbent is subject to possible exposure to contagious diseases, pathogens, and other environmental hazards within the laboratory. Special safety precautions are required, and the incumbent uses protective gear such as laboratory coats, safety aprons, different types of gloves, safety glasses, and goggles. Exposed to cleaning agents. Works inside biocontainment 100% of the time. Work environment may be hot or humid. Exposed to noise from operating machinery. Moderately heavy physical effort is typical of this position. Loading the autoclave involves lifting pans of glassware and/or biological waste weighing 20 to 30 pounds. The work requires continual standing, bending, stooping, and reaching; frequent lifting, carrying, and moving of objects up to 50 pounds. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.