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The Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) is an animal disease research facility. Its mission is research, diagnosis and vaccinations for animal diseases foreign to the United States (U.S.) for the purpose of protecting American agriculture and domestic food sources from their potentially devastating effects. PIADC is vital to successfully protecting U.S. agriculture from the intentional or non-intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth disease.
Learn more about this agency11/26/2018 to 12/28/2018
$99,927 - $153,510 per year
GS 13 - 14
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - To and from professional meetings.
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Competitive
15
No
Yes
ARS-D19NEA-0023
517450700
This position requires the selectee to undergo a pre-employment check and a full background investigation. Any offer made is considered a tentative job offer pending the outcome of the pre-employment check. Retention in the position is based upon a favorable adjudication of the background investigation. The incumbent will be subject to periodic reinvestigations.
MAJOR DUTIES:
The incumbent is a Research Veterinary Medical Officer (Immunology) in the USDA, ARS, Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit (FADRU) located at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Orient, New York. The mission of the FADRU is to develop scientific knowledge that will lead to prevention and control measures against foreign animal diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), African Swine Fever (ASF), Classical Swine Fever (CSF) and vesicular stomatitis (VS) among others. The unit’s activities comprise molecular pathogenesis, novel strategies for vaccine and antiviral development, functional genomics, immunology, host resistance and epidemiology of foreign animal diseases (FADs) affecting primarily livestock species (cattle and swine).
The incumbent of this position is responsible for carrying out basic and applied research in veterinary immunology related to the study viral - host interactions and mechanisms involved in pathogenesis and host response to infection and vaccination. The incumbent will conduct independent research as well as actively collaborate and provide professional advice to the Research Leader, ARS scientists and other PIADC scientists who conduct research on the area of foreign animal diseases. The incumbent is responsible for all phases of research in a broad, multidisciplinary program of applied and fundamental research on foreign animal diseases in livestock species such as; swine, sheep, cattle, and other species. The incumbent provides unique leadership and research skills to contribute to the identification, description and characterization of the effects of foreign animal diseases in livestock, to develop immunological assessment of host response to FAD infections and vaccination and determination of the factors involved in immunopathogenesis, host innate response, adaptive immunity, and disease resistance. The ultimate goal of these activities is to develop novel methods or therapies to minimize clinical impacts or prevent infection and disease including vaccines and other countermeasures. The incumbent is responsible for organizing research, establishing research priorities, furnishing leadership in planning research projects, supervising execution of research, reviewing research in progress, evaluating completed research, leading discussions on the interpretation of results, and reporting and publishing the progress of research. The incumbent is responsible for assurance that studies of this Research Unit meet the highest standards of animal welfare and address the highest priorities of the animal industry, action agencies, and other user groups. The incumbent is an independent investigator, team leader, and team member of multiple foreign animal disease research unit projects.
A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities (may not apply depending on the duties of the position). For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied at PIADC which are transmissible to humans may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness under the provision of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended 21 USC 321-392.Where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for investigational purposes, the incumbent will be advised that such immunization is voluntary.
Special Working Conditions:
To comply with the USDA Tier One Select Agent program at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center the incumbent must meet the following:
-Pre-employment and random testing of substances of abuse;
-Participation in and adherence to the facilitys Occupational Health Program;
-Participation in and adherence to the facilitys Personal Reliability Program;
-The ability to obtain/maintain a Background Investigation;
-The ability to obtain/maintain Select Agent clearance.
As a condition of employment, a background investigation will be conducted and the incumbent must be registered and accepted into the Select Agent and Toxin program mandated by the Center for Disease Control/United States Department of Agriculture as appropriate to the positions assignments. This position is required to work in a biosafety level 3Ag environment where high threat livestock biologic agents can be transmitted by aerosol. The incumbent must demonstrate the physical and psychological capability to conduct normal duties that are appropriate to their position. To prevent the transmission of disease out of biocontainment and retention of the position, the incumbent must meet the following medical standards in a pre-employment medical examination conducted after the receipt of a preliminary job offer and on a periodic basis:
1. Ability to shower out of biocontainment one or more times per day and:
-Not have any skin condition which would prevent this;
-Body piercings must be able to be removed prior to entry;
-External medical assist devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering biocontainment, and the individual must still be able to shower out safely without assistance.
2. Ability to follow instructions regarding decontamination from biocontainment.
3. Any medical condition which could create an unsafe environment for the individual or his/her co-workers, such as:
-Insufficient control of a medical disorder which could result in sudden loss of consciousness;
-Inadequate vision and hearing required for safety in a laboratory environment.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement including the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified by grade level.
Your education and experience will be evaluated against all qualification requirements (basic and any additional requirements) listed below.
Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
Basic Requirements:
Degree:
1. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), obtained at a school or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA). The AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org (external link), has a listing of all AVMA-accredited veterinary medical schools.
OR
2. Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools that are not accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (Refer to AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org (external link)for information about schools in this category) must meet one of the following requirements.
o Proof of certification of their final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG)
o Possession of a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States that includes successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) or its predecessors, the National Board Examination (NBE) and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT).
o Proof that the education obtained in a foreign veterinary medical program is equivalent to that gained in a veterinary medical program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. Under this provision, equivalency is established only if an AVMA-accredited veterinary medical school or college accepts the graduate's final transcript from the foreign veterinary medical school at full value for placement into an advanced degree, postgraduate educational program, or training program (e.g. residency or graduate program).
Graduates of foreign veterinary medical programs must also provide proof of proficiency in the English language by successfully completing one of the nationally and internationally recognized examinations that incorporate assessments of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Examples of examinations that assess mastery of the English language are shown below:
o Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Minimum scores for the TOEFL are 560 for the paper-based version; 220 for the computer-based version; or overall score of 83 for the internet-based version (including 26 or higher in speaking, 26 or higher in listening, and 17 or higher in writing). For the computer-based and paper-based test versions, applicants must also complete the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and the Test of Written English (TWE). Minimum required scores are 55 for the TSE and 5.5 for the TWE;
o Academic tests (listening, writing, and speaking) offered by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 7.0, with at least 7.0 in speaking, 6.5 in listening, and 6.0 in writing;
OR
o Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 70, with at least 60 in speaking, 60 in listening, and 50 in writing.
In addition to the minimum qualification requirements, applicants must also possess the following selective placement factor (SPF): Experience independently planning and conducting research and publishing results. Applicants who do not meet the SPF will be ineligible for further consideration.
Additional Requirements:
Applicants must address the specialized experience requirements in their resume (or application documents). Applications that do not reflect the specialized experience requirements will not be deemed qualified.
GS-13: You may qualify for the GS-13 in any oneof the 4 ways indicated below:
1. EDUCATION: To qualify at the GS-13 level on the basis of education, applicants must successfully complete relevant graduate study or a dual DVM/graduate degree as described below at an accredited college or school, in addition to completing the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or an equivalent degree: Ph.D. degree in area of specialization, including but not limited to, animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.
2. EXPERIENCE: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience requirements for the GS 13 level of this position are: Experience conducting animal research with infectious diseases, including using animal models to do pathogenesis research aimed at identifying genetic determinants of virulence; experience in developing and implementing immunological studies, including innate and adaptive responses, and T and B cell characterization using flow cytometry; and scientific presentations before professional groups.
(THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF THE GS 13 REQUIREMENTS)
3. RESIDENCY/POST-GRADUATE TRAINING: Successful completion of three years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position.
4. BOARD CERTIFICATION: Veterinarians who successfully complete all requirements for Diplomate status in an American Board of Veterinary Specialties recognized veterinary specialty organization may qualify for the GS-13 grade level. Such specialties may include, but are not limited to, veterinary microbiology, veterinary pathology, veterinary preventive medicine, and veterinary medicine.
GS-14: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience requirements for the GS 14 level of this position are: Experience in developing and implementing studies to evaluate host innate response and adaptive immunity to virus infection and vaccination in livestock; and invited speaker for professional scientific organizations on livestock immunology or vaccine research.
For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here:
http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-admin.asp
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Eligible applicants will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Applicants with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply Online" button to the right.
ADDITIONAL SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at PIADC, Biological Safety Regulations specify a personal quarantine for employees working in BSL-3 biocontainment. As a condition for employment, all personnel entering the BSL-3 biocontainment facilities at Plum Island shall not be in contact with specific susceptible animals and their premises off Plum Island for a period of five (5) days after leaving biocontainment. Currently, restricted species are cattle, sheep, goats, deer, other ruminants, and swine. Contact with horses, birds (agricultural and pet birds) and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working with or near contagious agents affecting these species. Restricted livestock or other restricted animals may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where the quarantine cannot be enforced. Employees who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or subject to other disciplinary actions. The incumbent is required to travel daily to and from either Orient Point, New York, or Old Saybrook, Connecticut, to Plum Island aboard Government provided marine vessels.
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 schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, click "Apply Online" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
NOTE: You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g., all SF-50s) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.
Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
To be considered for a research scientist position, you must submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Also, submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications.
CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT: Federal employees are subject to prohibitions against officially dealing with outside organizations in which they have a financial interest. If hired for this position, you may be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of the effective date of your appointment and annually thereafter.
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/517450700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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