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Chief, Virology, Surveillance and Diagnosis Branch

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

Summary

As a global leader in public health & health promotion, CDC is the agency Americans trust with their lives. In addition to our everyday work, each CDC employee has a role in supporting public health emergency management, whether through temporary assignments to emergency responses or sustaining other CDC programs and activities while colleagues respond. Join our team to use your talent, training, & passion to help CDC continue as the world's premier public health organization. Visit www.cdc.gov

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/09/2024 to 07/07/2024
Salary
$151,894 to - $246,400 per year
Pay scale & grade
RS 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Atlanta, GA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Announcement number
HHS-CDC-RS-24-12398536
Control number
790514900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This is an Excepted Service position in the Senior Biomedical Research and Product Assessment Service (SBRBPAS). Applications will be accepted from all qualified persons, including Public Health Service Officers. This announcement is open to U.S. citizens only.

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Duties

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The incumbent will:

  • Provide leadership in planning, managing, directing, and coordinating the activities of VSDB. Contribute to biomedical research in the field of advanced molecular analytic approaches for pathogen identification and characterization.
  • Provide leadership and expertise in the development and execution of biomedical research projects, ensuring scientific soundness and technical feasibility. Measure the outcome of research activities to determine how they meet the needs of the center and agency.
  • Be responsible for many aspects of influenza biology and public health including detection, diagnosis, characterization, evolution of synthetic vaccines and vaccine candidate production for human (epidemic/seasonal) and animal (pandemic potential) influenza viruses.
  • Oversee operations, including allocation of resources and personnel for research programs and projects in line with U.S. Government rules and regulations.
  • Provide expert consultation regarding the application of virologic and molecular techniques to promote greater understanding of the epidemiology, virulence, pathogenesis, evaluation and genetic variation of influenza.
  • Lead scientific studies and investigations in the combined genetic and immunologic characterization of viruses to enhance knowledge of the epidemiologic behavior and evolution of influenza.
  • Organize, lead, and actively participate in technical and professional activities of international and national organizations through workshops, scientific meetings, and symposia for the purpose of presenting and defending public health practice and research results.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Security and Background: If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required. Appointment will be subject to successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • E-Verify: Documentation presented for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
  • Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Travel, transportation, and moving expenses may be paid.
  • Bargaining Unit Position: No
  • In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 15, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. This position may require a Drug Test and be subject to Random Drug Testing. The position may require the submission of a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative test result.
  • Recruitment incentive may be authorized.

Qualifications

Current federal employees must be at or equivalent to the GS-14 grade level or above to be considered for this position.
Current PHS Commissioned Corps Officers must be at O6 level or above to be considered for this position.

Basic Qualifications for RS-0401: Applicants must possess a degree in 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.

In addition to the basic qualification, applicants must have earned a doctoral level degree in biomedicine or a biological related field, or a doctoral or master's level degree in engineering, bioinformatics, or a related or emerging field.

Additional Requirements:
Applicants must also be an expert in at least one of the following fields:
1. Biomedical research. An individual who is actively engaged in original biomedical research, including behavioral research, and whose work in this area is considered by recognized experts or peers in the field of biomedical research to be outstanding.
2. Clinical research evaluation. An individual who is actively engaged in clinical research evaluation and whose work in this area is considered by recognized experts or peers in the field of clinical research evaluation to be outstanding.
3. Biomedical product assessment. An individual who is actively engaged in the development or assessment of biomedical products and whose work in this area is considered by recognized experts or peers in the field of biomedical product assessment to be outstanding; and

Applicants must show clear evidence of specialized experience.

  • One year of specialized experience which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of the position, such as experience which includes leading influenza virology, surveillance, diagnostics in the field of research of influenza viruses and vaccines. Typically, experience of this nature is gained at or above the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations.
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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit transcripts or a list of applicable courses with their application package. This also applies to status applicants who are applying to a position in a different occupational series than they are currently or were previously appointed. Applicants who do not submit their transcripts (or list of applicable course work) will be evaluated based on the information provided in their application package (and/or resume) along with their responses to a self-certification question asking if they meet the basic qualifications listed in the vacancy announcement. Those deemed tentatively qualified will be referred for consideration. If selected, applicants will be required to provide an official transcript prior to the final job offer. If the official transcript does not support the educational requirements of the position, the applicant will be considered ineligible for the position.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that:

  • the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs.
  • such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program, or that full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications.

Additional information

The SBRBPAS facilitates the recruitment of high-level scientific researchers and leaders that are essential to fulfill the research and evaluation mission of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This appointment does not confer any entitlement to a position in the competitive service and no entitlement to Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) appeal rights. SBRBPAS employees serve at the will of the agency, in accordance with 42 U.S.C. §237(b), and do not serve trial or probationary periods.

This position is eligible for Telework. If selected, you will be required to sign a Workplace Flexibilities Agreement.

This position is located in the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta, GA. The senior scientist level compensation package is commensurate with qualifications and experience and may result in a higher salary than reflected above.

To view the questionnaire, click on the following link:
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12398536

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

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
CDC Financial Disclosure: HHS fosters a work environment committed to government ethics. Through its ethics program, HHS seeks to prevent conflicts of interest on the part of executive branch employees. A conflict-free HHS allows its public servants to make impartial decisions based on the interests of the public when carrying out governmental responsibilities, to serve as good stewards of public resources, and to loyally adhere to the Constitution and laws of the United States. As an executive branch employee, you will be subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct and the criminal conflict of interest statutes. An introduction to federal ethics will be available during orientation. You must complete the remainder of your initial ethics training during your first three months at HHS. Further details on this will be provided during orientation.
You might be required to a file a public or confidential financial disclosure report within 30 days of your appointment. You will receive formal notification if a disclosure report is required. This can require information such as recent sources of income, financial interests you hold, and outside activities you participate in, as well as similar information from a spouse or any dependent children. If you have questions, please contact the Deputy Ethics Counselor or Ethics Coordinator for your office, which you can find here: https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/ogc/contact-ogc/agency-deputy-ethics-counselors-and-ethics-coordinators/index.html

CDC Financial Disclosure -OGE Form 450 or OGE Form 278

Holding ourselves to a higher standard; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention inspires public confidence in its trust responsibilities and mission by maintaining high ethical principles. This position is subject to the confidential/public financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). Therefore, if selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-Form 450) or Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-Form 278) 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 will be required annually.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applicants must meet the qualification requirements as outlined above to be eligible for further consideration. You must provide detailed evidence of the experience, knowledge, skill, ability, and other personal characteristic requirements, and show how and when they were used. This evidence must include clear and concise examples that show level of accomplishment and degree of responsibility. Qualification determinations will be based on the information provided in your application and the requirements of the position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

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