This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/495672300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
This position is being concurrently announced under Merit Promotion procedures on ARS-M18E-0060 announcement number. Disabled Veterans, candidates with 3 or more years of active duty military service, and candidates eligible for special hiring authorities can apply to the Merit Promotion announcement if they meet criteria for the above and include supporting documents.
Learn more about this agency04/03/2018 to 04/23/2018
$18.70 - $21.81 per hour
WG 06
1 vacancy in the following location:
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-Time
06
No
ARS-S18E-0059
495672300
Provide animal care on a full time basis working with animals in confinement operations, biological containment, or research settings.
Cares for a variety of animal species, including but not limited to: traditional laboratory animals (hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, and rats), domestic livestock (cattle, sheep, horses, goats, and pigs), aquatic species used in aquaculture, poultry (chickens, geese, and turkeys), exotic animals and alternative livestock (bison, deer, and elk) and wildlife (raccoons, mink). Adheres to guidelines for the humane handling of animals to prevent injury to animals and/or personnel.
Assists in diagnostic and experimental procedures by capturing and restraining animals for treatment, examination, or specimen collection, both ante and postmortem.
Operates equipment such as euthanasia chambers, two-ton chain hoists on a rail system and hydraulic necropsy tables. Also, will operate forklifts, trucks and automobiles.
Operates, maintains, disinfects and fumigates isolation cages. The cages are used to contain pathogen-free animals or animals infected with zoonotic (human pathogen) disease agents such as, but not limited to Avian Influenza, Exotic Newcastle Disease, Tuberculosis, Brucella and Rabies.
Reports to supervisor and the facility veterinarian any situations observed, such as temperatures and other pertinent clinical data which may endanger animal or personnel safety.
May operate tractors powered by gasoline or diesel engines, have four wheels and up to sixteen forward gears and steered with a conventional steering wheel. Tractors may be equipped with front mounted loaders, rear mounted bale fork, blade, by operating a Power Take Off (PTO) driven mower or belly mounted mower and PTO driven manure spreaders.
Working Conditions: Position is in a location that includes Biological Safety Level 2 and 3 biocontainment facilities. Works with animals infected with zoonotic diseases (human pathogens) such as but not limited to, Avian Influenza, Exotic Newcastle Disease, Tuberculosis, Brucella and Rabies.
Because this is an exigency position, the incumbent is expected to report for duty when the lab is closed due to hazardous weather, heightened threat levels or natural disasters and budget shutdowns. Work may involve discomforts such as having to spend long periods of time on concrete or slippery floors, exposure to bites, scratches, kicks, disagreeable odors, allergens and animal wastes from diseased or distressed animals.
The incumbent may be required to frequently wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks or respirators, eye and ear protection, boots, gloves and coveralls when providing care to animals that represent a potential source of zoonotic disease or other biohazard. Various forms of respiratory protection equipment must be worn when working with certain infections agents, chemicals and allergens. PPE provides necessary protection against biological and chemical hazards but may increase the risk of accidents due to decreased vision, hampered communication, limited mobility and dexterity. Physical well-being may be compromised by the prolonged usage of the PPE and may lead to labored respiration, heat stress and dehydration. Work may be performed daily in the presence of hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde, virucidal and bactericidal disinfectants and detergents.
Physical Effort: The incumbent performs activities involved in the care, treatment and observation of animals and collection of biological specimens. Moderate to heavy physical exertion is required daily for restraining large animals and moving feed, hay, bedding and equipment (up to 75 pounds). May be required to move large animal carcasses and/or portions of carcasses in carts weighing up to 300 pounds, with the assistance of handling equipment.
In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Qualifications will be determined under the Job Element Rating System X-118C, Qualifications Standard Handbook. While a specific length of time and experience is not required for most Wage Grade positions, you must show through experience and training that you possess the best qualified level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of this position. Qualification requirements emphasize the quality of experience, not necessarily the length. The responses to the questionnaire and your resume should be in significant detail to provide the person rating your application with a good understanding of your ability to do the job, technical knowledge, work, and training experience, etc. (For example, you must have the ability to perform the duties of an Animal Caretaker, WG-5048-06 without more than normal supervision (Screen Out)). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration.
Other Considerations: For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied which are transmissible to humans, may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and effectiveness.
May be required to receive extra vaccinations to work on specific projects, submit to blood tests, a tuberculosis skin test and a respiratory/pulmonary function test.
Must be able to wear personal protective equipment, including but not limited to disposable and full facepiece type respiratory protection.
Regularly work on weekends and holidays. May work occasional evenings as required. May be contacted to fill in for other staff that are unexpectedly absent.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Managements (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of two or three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply Online" button to the right.
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
• Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor's phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications.
• If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit http://www.naces.org/members.htm. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
• If claiming veterans preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veterans preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veterans preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
• If claiming 10-point veterans preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/
• Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, click "Apply Online" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
NOTE: You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g., all SF-50s) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/495672300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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This position requires the selectee to undergo a Special Agreement Check (SAC), Security Risk Assessment (SRA) and a full background investigation (Moderate Risk/Public Trust - Minimum Background Investigation (MBI)). Any offer made is considered a tentative job offer pending the outcome of the SAC. Retention in the position is contingent on a favorable SRA and full background investigation (MBI). The incumbent will be subject to periodic reinvestigations.