Biological Science Specialist

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 Requirements for Biology Series 0401
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.

Additional Requirements
In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above and in the education section below, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below.

GS-11
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is coordinating annual safety inspections for offices, laboratories, or equipment; maintaining accurate documentation of inventory, reports, or maintenance activities; and providing informal instruction to employees regarding health and safety procedures.
OR
Education: Successful completion of three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or Ph.D. equivalent doctoral degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Safety Engineering, Biological Sciences, Occupational Safety, Biological Safety, or Biosecurity Management.
OR
A combination of education and specialized experience as described above.

GS-12
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience managing safety, health, or environmental management programs in an office or research laboratory environment; conducting routine training presentations related to health and safety for new or existing employees; and coordinating or conducting safety inspections ensuring compliance with regulations.

Physical Effort
Most work activities are generally sedentary, but the work does involve some walking, long-term standing, bending, reaching, carrying of moderately heavy items, and climbing stairs when performing on-site evaluations, investigation and training activities. Some work involves onsite work in laboratories and animal facilities, involving wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE), including a respirator (N-95 or PAPR) or a fully encapsulated air pressurized suit while entering infectious disease laboratories, or animal facilities areas. Travel may be required.

Working Conditions
The work is performed in an office setting, research laboratories, indoor animal holding facilities, necropsy rooms, insectaries and building mechanical spaces involved with FSAP compliance inspections. Temperature extremes are common as well as exposure to disagreeable odors, working around frightened, unpredictable, and ill-natured animals, and exposure to the risks and hazards of harmful biological, chemical and physical agents. Immunizations with vaccines may be required to enter facilities conducting work with human or zoonotic diseases. The work requires special safety precautions (use of Personal Protective Equipment [PPE]) and enrollment in the Respiratory Protection Program (RPP). For approved use of respirators. RPP approval for use of respirators at NBAF requires a medical clearance and fit testing. Examples of respirators used at NBAF include N-95 or PAPR. Work may require access to BSL-4 containment environments that require approval and training for use of a fully encapsulated air pressurized suit. Potential risk factors are involved when performing work and entering biohazard laboratories. The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations.

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.