Biological Science Specialist

This position is located at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, KS.

About the Role

You will participate with the Select Agent Program Specialist in the planning, implementation, coordination, and integration of all NBAF Select Agent Program (SAP) activities pertaining to compliance with the regulations governing the possession, use, and transfer of Select Agents and Toxins.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate annual safety and compliance inspections for laboratories, animal facilities, or equipment, or select agents.
• Maintain accurate documentation of inventory, reports, maintenance activities, inspections, or other compliance records.
• Provide informal instruction to employees regarding safety and compliance procedures involving biological agents and toxins.
• Maintain safety, compliance, or select agent programs in a laboratory environment.
• Participate in the planning, implementation, or coordination of activities pertaining to compliance and safety.
• Conduct routine safety and compliance training involving biological agents and toxins.

Requirements

Basic Requirements

• 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 in the fields listed above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Minimum Qualifications

GS-11

• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09, including:
  • Coordinating annual safety and compliance inspections for laboratories, animal facilities, or equipment, or select agents.
  • Maintaining accurate documentation of inventory, reports, maintenance activities, inspections, or other compliance records.
  • Providing informal instruction to employees regarding safety and compliance procedures involving biological agents and toxins.
• OR Education: Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Safety Engineering, Biological Sciences, Occupational Safety, Biological Safety, or Biosecurity Management.
• OR Combination: A combination of education and specialized experience as described above.

GS-12

• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11, including:
  • Maintaining safety, compliance, or select agent programs in a laboratory environment.
  • Participating in the planning, implementation, or coordination of activities pertaining to compliance and safety.
  • Conducting routine safety and compliance training involving biological agents and toxins.

Containment Work Requirements

• Immunization: Immunization against diseases studied at NBAF that are transmissible to humans is required where the vaccine has been FDA-approved. Use of investigational vaccines is strongly encouraged but voluntary; individuals who decline will sign a declination form.
• Health Monitoring:
  • A baseline blood sample is required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facility.
  • Ongoing physical and psychological health monitoring, including periodic biologic and serological tests, is required.
  • Medical conditions that could create an unsafe environment (e.g., uncontrolled disorders causing sudden loss of consciousness, inadequate vision/hearing for laboratory safety) may be disqualifying.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
  • Use of PPE, such as respirators, disposable protective clothing, and eye protection, is mandatory.
  • Tight-fitting respirators are required in biological control areas; facial hair must comply with PPE fit requirements.
  • Respirator use requires medical evaluation and fit testing.
• Decontamination and Body Requirements:
  • Ability to take a full-body shower with soap and shampoo one or more times per day without assistance is required.
  • No skin conditions that prevent daily showering are permitted.
  • No jewelry is allowed inside containment; body jewelry must be removable or completely sealed off.
  • No unhealed piercings are permitted inside biocontainment.
  • External medical devices must be removable or sealed off from the working environment.
  • Facial hair restrictions apply to ensure proper respirator fit.

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).