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Biological Scientist (Compliance Manager)

Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Summary

As the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) Compliance Manager you will be responsible for managing the compliance of FADDL's scientific mission to select agent regulations at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF).

For additional information regarding the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), please visit the hyperlink for a short video.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/05/2026 to 03/11/2026
Salary
$106,437 to - $138,370 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Manhattan, KS
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
MP-12900856-26-VSDB
Control number
859789200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted only from current permanent APHIS employees with competitive status and CTAP/RPL eligible candidates.

Videos

Duties

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  • The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
  • The duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Serves as APHIS science lead at NBAF, managing select agent compliance and coordinating with FADDL leaders to ensure full program adherence to federal regulations.
  • Provides technical and subject matter expertise for developing and implementing policies governing possession, use, and transfer of select agents and toxins
  • Develops workflows integrating FADDL scientific programs with select agent compliance, aligning with Federal, State, local regulations, agency policies, and best practices.
  • Leads creation and maintenance of select agent compliance documents, including security, biosafety, and emergency response plans; ensures personnel training.
  • Briefs leadership and staff on issues, and devises strategies for procedural updates and compliance changes.
  • Provides oversight and expert judgement on biosafety issues, resolving complex compliance challenges and creating strategies that align with national and international guidelines.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  • Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
  • Selectee will be subject to a pre-employment and post-employment medical statement and/or exam.
  • All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
  • Must maintain Federal Occupational Health (FOH) medical clearance to initiate or renew individual medical clearance within 30 days after Entry On Duty (EOD); renewing an existing medical clearance within 45 days of expiration
  • Must become familiar with APHIS Emergency Mobilization Guide within 60 days after EOD; completing the mandatory deployment training no later than 90 days after EOD; renewing expired training no later than 30 days after expiration
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain and Top Secret Sensitive Compartmentalized Information.
  • Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) database check required for work involving Biological Select Agents and Toxins.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: 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 (which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours), as shown above, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the basic requirement above, applicants must also meet the following:

FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

  • Manages compliance to federal select agent regulations, supports audits and inspections, and manages select agent inventories.
  • Applies knowledge of biosafety protocols to ensure safe and proper handling of select agents in a laboratory setting.
  • Writes and maintains technical documents and protocols related to handling of pathogens and conducting laboratory activities.
  • Leads and conducts incident investigations, root cause analyses, and other assessments to implement improved processes.
Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required if:
  • This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
  • You are qualifying for the position based on education.
  • You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
  • This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university
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 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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Additional information

  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee..
  • Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
  • May need to lift up to 75 pounds.
  • Immunizations may be required.
  • May need to wear personal protection equipment (PPE).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements. Your resume must address experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12900856

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