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Biologist (Virologist)/Microbiologist (Virologist)

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This Title 42 position is located in the Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Watershed and Ecosystem Characterization Division. If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement. About ORD: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-research-and-development-ord 

Overview

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Job canceled
Posted 03/16/21
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will be paid by EPA according to applicable rules. You can read more about these expenses on this web site: www.relocatefeds.gov
Salary
$95,799 - $172,500 per year
Pay scale & grade
RG A
Promotion potential
00
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Appointment type
Term - This is a Title 42 position of up to 5 years which may be renewed.
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Announcement number
RTP-ORD-42-2021-0001
Control number
595332000

Duties

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The Office of Research and Development's (ORD) Watershed and Ecosystem Characterization Division (WECD) in the Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling (CEMM) conducts research to advance EPA’s ability to characterize the presence, transport, transformation, sources, and impacts of contaminants in watersheds and ecological systems.

Major duties for this position include:

  • Serving as a key resource for the Agency on developing and advancing research efforts on environmental health, human health and animal risks, associated with viruses; developing innovative diagnostic and monitoring tools to detect viruses (e.g., coronavirus, influenza, and enteric/respiratory viruses); and establishing cutting-edge and anticipatory research addressing emerging microbial hazards in the environment.
  • Formulating concepts, developing hypotheses, preparing research plans, carrying out investigations and experiments, analyzing and interpreting results, and developing methods.
  • Collaborating with researchers within and outside the Agency, as well as partners and stakeholders to find solutions to mitigate risk of exposure.
  • Producing scientific publications, advancing the state-of-the-science, and developing new research programs.
  • Finding solutions for emerging contaminants of concern by determining the best use of current modeling science and data, identifying the priority gaps and uncertainties in scientific knowledge, and guiding the development of novel modeling science and methods to address the national priorities and reduce uncertainty.
  • Providing high-level substantive advice and recommendations to the WECD Director, as well as the broader CEMM and ORD, on matters related to virus-related research.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
  • You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
  • You may be required to travel 1 to 5 days of each month.
  • Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.

The Ethics in Government Act, P.L. 95-521 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, prior to assuming the Title 42 position, annually, and upon termination of employment.

This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.

Qualifications

To meet the eligibility criteria, you must have doctoral degree in a scientific discipline related to the ORD Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling’s (CEMM) Watershed and Ecosystem Characterization Division’s (WECD) mission and substantive specialized experience in a type of work or a combination of functions directly related to this position. You should be recognized as a significant contributor as a scientist in virology. You should be recognized as leader of a productive team, or as a leader in the conception and formulation of productive research ideas relating to virology. You should be recognized for delivering cutting-edge research and technology on environmental, person-to-person, and zoonotic transmission of existing and emerging viral agents such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. You should have demonstrated experience providing leadership and direction in developing and managing systems using scientific data to solve complex environmental problems related to WECD’s mission. As evidence of your qualifications and scientific contribution, you may also: 1) be regularly sought out for consultation on difficult problems in the field of expertise.; 2) have authored multiple, key publications, including several in the most prestigious scientific journals; 3) have received prestigious awards for research accomplishments; and 4) have demonstrated experience building coalitions and relationships with partners and customers to address the concerns related to emerging viral diseases.

Education

You must have a doctoral degree in a scientific discipline related to CEMM's mission to qualify for this position.

Your academic record must demonstrate a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following:

Biology: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following:  biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed.

Microbiology: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following:  microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology or subjects related to microorganisms with 20 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences (organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra); OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed.

For information about accreditation requirements, visit EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

Additional information

The selectee's academic credentials will be verified upon selection.  

The salary may be up to $172,500 per year, however, this is dependent upon qualifications, experience and other factors (e.g. current salary and/or current market rates).

Position has portable work and selectee may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.

EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

How you will be evaluated

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

This position is being filled through the Title 42 hiring authority.  We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. You will be evaluated on the basis of meeting the qualifications stated previously. In determining the degree to which candidates possess the required or desired knowledge, skills, and abilities, an evaluation panel will consider related experience, education, training, awards, and professional references. The evaluation panel will rate you on the following criteria: 1) scientific expertise; 2) leadership and management; 3) communications; and 4) networking and collaboration.


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Environmental Protection Agency

Agency contact information

Kyle Barja
Phone
919-541-2477
Fax
919-541-2186
Email
barja.kyle@epa.gov
Address
Environmental Protection Agency
US Environmental Protection Agency
Human Resources Management Division
109 T.W. Alexander Drive, MD-C639-02
Research Triangle Pk, North Carolina 27711
United States

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