Supervisory Microbiologist

Summary

This position serves as the Chief for the BioRisk Management Branch, and coordinates the biosafety (safe handling) and biocontainment for infectious agents at various NIH sites having high and maximum containment laboratories.

Preferred candidates will have certification by the American Board of Medical Microbiology/American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology, or election to Fellowship in the American Academy of Microbiology and experience with safety oversight for BSL3 and BSL4 facilities.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

You must be a current or former federal employee eligible to apply under merit promotion procedures or otherwise be eligible as a status applicant (e.g. Veterans Employment Opportunity Act) OR be an individual who is eligible through an OPM interchange agreement or for a non-competitive appointment. This job is also open to USPHS Commissioned Corps Officers and Call-To-Active Duty (CAD) Candidates.

Duties

Supervisory responsibility for leading, planning, developing and implementing all phases of work in the NIH BioRisk Management Branch across the NIH’s multiple campuses having high and maximum containment laboratories

Develop and implement NIH's policy and programs addressing biorisk management.

Supports and advises various senior level NIH committees on all matters relating to biorisk management.

Conducts independent applied research in the areas of decontamination and sterilization or other research areas as dictated by national need.

Provides expert guidance and assistance in emergency situations such spills, fires, or explosions with regard to biological hazards.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.

Employment is subject to the successful completion of the pre-appointment process (i.e., background investigation, verification of qualifications and job requirements, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, etc.)

Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.

Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.

Requires long periods of standing and bending when completing facility/lab surveys and risk assessments.

Must be able to clear a Tier 5 background investigation and to hold a Top Secret security clearance.

Required to participate and meet all requirements of the NIH Biological Surety Program. Annual behavioral health assessments are included in the NIH BSP.

Must obtain a positive FBI Security Risk Assessment (SRA) in compliance with 7 CPR Part 333; 9 CPR Part 121; and 42 CFR Part 73.

Requires use of PPE including respiratory protection and enrollment into the Animal Exposure Program.

Requires entry into animal facilities.

Requires access to BSL 3, BSL 4, and associated animal facilities and/or labs. Vaccinations and other medical surveillance will be recommended/ required based on agent.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for a Supervisory Microbiologist, GS-403-14, position, you must meet the following requirements:

A. completed the requirements for a bachelor's (or graduate) degree in microbiology;

OR

B. completed the requirements for a bachelor's (or graduate) degree in biology, chemistry, or basic medical science. At least 20 semester hours need to be in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms and at least 20 semester hours need to be in the physical and mathematical sciences (combination of course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent).

OR

C. a combination of experience and education which includes courses comparable to a major in microbiology, or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in B above, AND have appropriate experience or additional education which demonstrates similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the duties of this position.

In addition, to qualify for a Supervisory Microbiologist position at the GS-0403-14 level, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: serving as a Biosafety Officer for a biomedical research organization; managing biosafety and biocontainment programs, training programs, and similar activities; providing guidance on biosafety and biocontainment safety methods and techniques; and conducting research and investigations involving biosafety and biocontainment procedures.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Ensure you support your self-ratings with the information you provide in your application. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer. Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply:

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. .

Additional information

This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.

A one-year probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.

This position has a position requirement of completing a one-year supervisory trial/probationary period.

This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent will be tested for illegal drug use; and during employment you will be subject to random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident drug testing. Employment is contingent on a negative drug test result.

If selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450 to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency. This information is required annually. For information, visit the NIH Ethics website:

This position may be assigned to work with, handle, receive, or store materials designated as Select Agents and Toxins by the Federal Select Agent Program, and is subject to the terms of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Biological Surety Program (BSP).

The NIH BSP requires successful completion of the following:

-A Bioterrorism Security Risk Assessment: and annual medical qualification assessments held by the NIH Occupational Medical Services.-Initial and annual behavioral health screenings, including qualification assessments held by the NIH Behavioral Health Screening Official.-A deemed export review per 15CFR 734.8(c).-An annual Collective Foreign Threats Screening.-Initial and recurrent safety and biological safety training provided on the job.-This is a Tier 5 Special Sensitive/High Risk position and a Top Secret security clearance is required.

For more information about NIH BSP please visit

A complete list of Select Agents and Toxins can be found at

PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.

Veterans' Preference applies only to Schedule A (disability appointment) and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).

The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program . E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.

The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.

Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Visit our for helpful information on the application process.

Visit our page and this for a detailed look into the benefits, awards, leave, retirement, and other incentives employees may receive as part of a rewarding work environment.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

Factor 1. Skill in planning and managing a biosafety program for a biomedical research organization.

Factor 2. Ability to interact with individuals, groups, and organizations to coordinate and advise on biosafety programs and activities.

Factor 3. Skill in planning and conducting research studies and investigations on biosafety issues.

Factor 4. Knowledge of biosafety and biocontainment regulations, policies, procedures, and standards.

Factor 5. Ability to provide supervision and direction to other staff.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the and the, you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least an 85 on the assessment and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

Required Documents

RESUME:

Your resume must thoroughly describe how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. We cannot assume you have performed the necessary experience required for this position regardless of your employment history or academic career. To ensure all of the essential information is in your resume, we encourage you to use the r. If you choose to use your own resume, you must ensure it contains all of the required information and you organize it so we can associate the following information for each experience/position:

Job title

Name of employer

Beginning and ending dates of employment (month/day/year format)

Hours worked per week. We will assume full-time unless otherwise stated. We will prorate part-time employment in crediting experience.

Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable)

Series and grade or equivalent (if a federal position)

Performance ratings and any monetary or non-monetary awards (optional). If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying on the basis of education, you need to list your education history including the type of degree and your major of study. If the position requires a certain number of credit hours, you are strongly encouraged to list the relevant courses in your resume. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.

For resume writing guidance, please visit the following resources:,, and the .

ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE:

You must submit a completed assessment questionnaire.

ELIGIBILITY/PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION:

You must submit the following documentation, if applicable to you AND respond accordingly to the associated question on the online questionnaire. If you do not provide the required information, we will assume you are not eligible or you do not wish to be considered for any preference or eligibility.

SF-50 - A copy of your most recent competitive career or career conditional SF-50 that shows the effective date of your latest position and the full performance level. You may obtain a copy of your SF-50 from your human resources office or, if you are an HHS employee, from your . If you separated from Federal Government employment, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via the Federal Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration.

Veteran Documentation: (DD-214, VA Disability Letter, etc.). Reference for required documentation if you are a 10-point preference eligible. Submission of SF-15 is not required, unless you have derived preference (XP) as described in questions 7, 8, or 9 on the SF-15. In those cases, you must submit a completed SF-15 and the required documentation. For 5 point preference eligibles, you must submit your DD-214 (if separated) or any written documentation from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the is submitted with your application package.

: Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter must be printed on a medical professional's letterhead and signed. Please note the Schedule A hiring authority neither guarantees employment, nor gives an individual preference in the hiring process.

Documentation to support any other noncompetitive or OPM interchange agreement eligibility. Reference the Eligibility section of the questionnaire for required documents and information.

Visit our sites on /for more information and required documentation. Please do not submit any other supplementary documentation that is not requested of you. To protect your personal information, we will only send your resume and cover letter to the selecting official or hiring manager.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.