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Biologist

Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Environmental Health
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Perform biological science work or support work in specified portions of scientific work involving studies of the functions, environmental response, biological activities, and/or processes of humans and animals, and their component parts

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/18/2020 to 06/24/2020
Salary
$67,437 - $105,083 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Atlanta, GA
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. 5% Domestic
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - NTE 13 months, may be extended up to total of 4 years
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
HHS-CDC-DH-20-10793878
Control number
570532300

Duties

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  • Ensure that incoming specimens are processed and triaged maintaining "chain-of-custody".
  • Prepare reports on scientific investigations, studies and projects.
  • Carry out guidelines and regulations related to proper handling and storage of various biological materials.
  • Conduct experiments involving the full range of methods, procedures, techniques, and activities routinely carried out in the scientific area.
  • Use standard technology to make adaptations to procedures and accepted practices when necessary.
  • Calibrate and operate laboratory instruments that are necessary to independently perform tests, analyses and other procedures in conducting experiments and studies.
  • Periodically evaluate progress of the experiment to determine whether data generated are accurate and valid.
  • Compare results with those obtained in previous experiments and/or identify unusual or unexpected results and their probable causes.
  • Repeat experiments or modify the conditions when necessary.
  • Prepare a wide variety of charts, graphs, manuscripts, and spreadsheets to report on study results and note any inconsistencies or areas where the data appear inconclusive.
  • Record study results in accordance with established procedures and maintain complete, detailed records of all experiments performed.
  • Prepare results for publication in a variety of journals, monographs, etc.
  • Provide training in the use of laboratory or field equipment and proper laboratory procedures, as necessary.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

1. Security and Background Requirements: If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.

2. E-Verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires, and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.

3. Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
4. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
5. One-year probationary period may be required.
6. Travel, transportation, and moving expenses will be paid: May be authorized
7. Bargaining Unit Position: No
8. Drug Screening Required: No
9. Recruitment Incentive: No
10. Annual Leave for non-federal service: No
11. Immunization Required: No
12. Research position: No
13. Promotion potential: Yes, This position has promotion potential to GS-12. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your meeting qualifications and time-in-grade requirements, demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and administrative approval. Promotion to the next grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.
14. Supervisory position: No
15. U.S. Citizenship is required.

Qualifications

BASIC QUALIFICATION:

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.

GS 11- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 level of difficulty and responsibility in the Federal service as defined in the next paragraph.

Specialized experience is experience at or equivalent to which is directly related to the position which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of the position, to include experience performing biological science support work in various scientific and public health areas working with numerous biological agents in a laboratory setting.
OR
Substitution of Education for Experience
: Have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that is directly related to the duties of the position.
OR
Have a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

GS 12 - MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level of difficulty and responsibility in the Federal service as defined in the next paragraph.

Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of the position, to include experience in experience performing biological science research work in various scientific and public health fields working with numerous biological and chemical agents in a laboratory setting.

Education

Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the education requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/jobs/future-applicant-information.html.

Additional information

This position is being filled through Direct Hire Authority for this occupation and is open to all US Citizens.

Vacancies will be filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority. Veterans' preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to positions filled under this announcement. All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration. Applications received as a result of job fairs, recruitment events, and emergency hiring mechanisms in support of this hiring initiative will also be accepted during the duration of the direct-hire authority.

For more information on OPM's authorization of Direct Hire Authority, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/

Additional selections may be made within the same geographical location CDC-wide.

Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov).

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible see http://opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position.

Former and Present Peace Corps personnel may be considered to fill vacancies. If you have completed no less than 36 months of continuous service without a break in service of 3 days or more under section 7(a) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2506) which pertains to the appointment of Peace Corps staff (not volunteers); or within 3 years after separation from qualifying service with the Peace Corps. A copy of your SF-50 is required to support your request.

Peace Corps Volunteers may be considered to fill vacancies. Executive Order 11103-Provides eligibility for appointment in the competitive service any person who is certified by the Director of the Peace Corps as having served satisfactorily as a Volunteer or Volunteer Leader under the Peace Corps Act and who passes such examination as the Office of Personnel Management may prescribe.

To view the questionnaire, click on the following link:
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10793878

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document(s), view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

How you will be evaluated

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

"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."

Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics).

  • Biological Science
  • Data Collection, Analysis, and Management
  • Laboratory/Field/Modeling/Surveillance Practices
  • Networking and Partnership Development (1)
  • Research (2)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the agency Americans trust with their lives. As a global leader in public health, CDC is the nation's premier health promotion, prevention, and preparedness agency. Whether we are protecting the American people from public health threats, researching emerging diseases, or mobilizing public health programs with our domestic and international partners, we rely on our employees to make a real difference in the health and well-being of people here and around the world.

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), Division of Laboratory Sciences (DLS) Atlanta, GA

Term Appointment: Term Appointments is a non-status appointment to a position in the competitive service, made for a specified period of time exceeding one year and lasting not more than four years. If you are selected for a term position, your appointment may be extended to the maximum period allowed by law without further competition. A term appointment does not confer reassigned to other positions, or the ability to be noncompetitive converted to a career-conditional appointment.

CDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Agency contact information

CDC HELPDESK
Phone
(770) 488-1725
Email
HRCS@CDC.GOV
Address
ONDIEH, National Center for Environmental Health
1600 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
US

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