Biologist (Biosafety Staff Scientist)

This position is being filled using the Government Wide direct hire authority for GS-0401 Biological Sciences. Open to all qualified U.S. citizens. Relocation expenses are authorized.

About the role

The USGS Office of Science Quality and Integrity is seeking a Biosafety Staff Scientist located in Madison, WI to support the USGS-wide Biosafety Program with specific duties on-site following biosafety best-practices along with USGS directives and Federal Select Agent requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develops and oversees biosafety policies, procedures, training, guidance, and tools for biological research with high-risk pathogens, including select agents.
• Implements and evaluates scientific and safety-related laboratory practices, including test procedures, specimen management, and high-risk work with select agents, ensuring compliance with applicable policies and regulations.
• Develops and maintains SOPs, training, and other documentation to support safe, efficient, and effective laboratory operations.
• Serves as the primary liaison between on-site laboratories, USGS leadership, and Select Agent Program personnel to coordinate health and safety activities.
• Plans and implements a comprehensive health and safety program for applicable facilities, maintaining required records of inspections, incidents, resolutions, and employee training in accordance with USGS policies and regulations.
• Participates in laboratory facility reviews and risk assessments, laboratory equipment and facility certification, specialized decontaminations, and responses to emergencies involving biological and chemical agents.
• Conducts site-specific safety training and drills for laboratory and supervisory personnel to improve microbiologic practices, biosafety, and regulatory compliance, including requirements of the Federal Select Agent Program.
• Maintains ongoing communication with external emergency responders (fire, police, and medical teams) to support coordinated response in the event of an emergency.

Professional accreditation as a Certified Biosafety Professional (CBSP) or Registered Biosafety through ABSA International is desirable but can be achieved after onboarding and training is complete.

Requirements

• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
• Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license and safe driving record.
• Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.
• This vacancy is limited to the first 100 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached.
• The selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment.
• A background investigation will be required for this position.

Qualifications

Basic Education Requirement: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Biologist, all grade levels.

• Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
• Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major (24 semester hours or the equivalent in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines), plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study.

For GS-12: In addition to the basic education requirements, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equal to the next lower grade level. Examples of experience at the GS-11 level may include:

• Experience performing research with biological agents in a laboratory and/or field setting.
• Experience leading and supporting biosafety practices in a scientific research environment at multiple biosafety levels (e.g., BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL).
• Experience providing training and guiding scientists through risk assessments and policy interpretation.
• Experience evaluating hierarchy of controls to ensure safety when working with biological agents.
• Experience complying with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.
• Professional accreditation as a Certified Biosafety Professional (CBSP) or Registered Biosafety through ABSA International is preferred.

For GS-13: In addition to the basic education requirements, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equal to the next lower grade level. Examples of this experience may include:

• Experience performing research with biological agents in a laboratory and/or field setting.
• Experience developing and leading a biosafety program in a scientific research environment at multiple biosafety levels (e.g., BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL).
• Experience developing policy, training, and risk assessments.
• Experience applying hierarchy of controls in novel situations involving biological agents.
• Experience implementing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.
• Professional accreditation as a Certified Biosafety Professional (CBSP) or Registered Biosafety through ABSA International is preferred.

Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

Pay

Salary: $89,117.00 per year (Step 01) to $138,370.00 (Step 10). First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.