Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to All U.S. Citizens, and is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense. Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612)(NonComp Mil Sp), Priority Placement Program (PPP) Retained Grade Preference (RGP), and PPP Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibles may also apply.

As a MICROBIOLOGIST at the GS-0403-14 some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Serves as a subject matter expert and senior Science and Technology Manager (STM) for all aspects and phases of Science and Technology (S&T) project management related to threat agent science of chemical and biological (CB) agents as well as overseeing the development of enduring threat characterization capabilities to enable CB threat understanding and to inform CB capability development (detection, protection, modeling and simulation, and hazard mitigation).
• Develop, coordinate, and manage research and development activities performed by Service/National laboratories, academia, industry, and private sector while coordinating with interagency and international partners.
• Applies professional knowledge of microbiology to critically evaluate the scientific validity of research projects, determining if the proposed experimental methodologies for studying chemical and biological agent fate, pathogenesis, and transmission are scientifically sound.
• Identifies and translates Joint Force operational vulnerabilities into specific microbiological research objectives, identifying gaps in current CB defense science to generate technical S&T plans.
• Provides authoritative scientific oversight of R&D deliverables, analyzing complex microbiological data (e.g., genomic sequencing, viral replication rates) or chemical data (toxicity, human health estimates, etc.) to determine if research projects are achieving the required scientific outcomes.
• Generates technical and fiscal program plans for accomplishing focused and cost effective CB threat characterization research and development efforts.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Occasional Travel
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/Special Compartmentalized Investigation (SCI) security clearance
• Incumbent is required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE 450, upon entering the position, annually, and upon termination of employment, in accordance with DOD Directive 5500.7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, August 30, 1993.
• Travel up to (25%) is required. Travel may be required to locations within and outside the continental United States.
• Valid passport required
• The employee must be willing to comply with each Combatant Command (COCOM) travel medical requirement to include vaccinations.
• Must consent to and pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to periodic random drug testing thereafter.
• This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Engineering and Technical Management functional area. The incumbent will be required to become certified in the Practitioner tier within 5 years.
• The incumbent is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning points (CLPs) every fiscal year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS 14 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. Have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade (GS-13) or equivalent in the federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector). Specialized Experienced is defined as:

• Planning, integrating, and executing threat agent science research in chemical and biological defense concepts leading to robust CB threat agent knowledge/data and capability development
• Studying and characterizing technical areas of threat agent science including agent fate, pathogenesis/health based effects, transmission/toxicity, and signature mapping for novel and emerging threat chemical and biological threat agents
• Creating, building, guiding, and assessing research and development program/projects, including gap analysis, strategy development and implementation, and project initiation in the area of threat agent science chemical and biological defense
• Developing and managing financial plans associated with complex multi-project research and development portfolio to achieve obligation and expenditure goals.

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.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0403, series as listed below:

1. Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent.

   OR

2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position.Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements.

For information on entitlement see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx

Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the " Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp)" eligibility. If you are claiming Military Spouse eligibility and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager. Information and required documentation for claiming Military Spouse eligibility may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below.

Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible:- Submit a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received showing you are no longer eligible for military or NG membership (through no fault of your own) and that you have completed at least 15 years of technician service and a minimum of 20 years of service creditable for non-regular retirement.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible:- You must provide a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist, DD3145-1 (whs.mil), a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF) 50 effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.