INTERDISCIPLINARY STAFF SCIENTIST.

Responsibilities

• Cleans, organizes, and processes data using standard software, spreadsheets, and programming languages.
• Monitors occurrence rates of pathogens and chemical contaminants in meat, poultry, and egg products.
• Drafts technical risk materials, summaries, and informational scientific updates for internal review.
• Sets structural priorities and evaluation parameters for National Residue or Microbiological Sampling Programs.
• Serves as a definitive technical resource for senior leaders on emerging public health hazards.
• Directs multi-disciplinary scientist teams, overseeing both core staff or large advisory groups.
• Evaluates technical foreign safety documents related to World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements and food safety systems.
• Addresses national technical societies, speaks to trade associations, and represents FSIS at federal conferences.

Requirements

Conditions of employment:

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary or trial period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
• If selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

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 the time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

This position is interdisciplinary and may be filled with any of the following three series: 0403 Microbiology, 0415 Toxicology, or 1320 Chemistry series.

Basic Education Requirement:

• Microbiology (0403): Degree in 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 Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• Toxicology (0415): Degree in toxicology; or an appropriate discipline of the biological, medical, or veterinary sciences that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, biochemistry, or physiology, and 12 semester hours in toxicology.
• Chemistry (1320): Degree in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR Combination of education and experience: course work equivalent to a major as shown above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade or its equivalent in federal service. Your resume must clearly describe in detail how your experience meets 4 out of 5 of the following requirements:

• Performing statistical analysis on microbiological or food science data sets to identify trends, anomalies, or systemic food safety risks.
• Managing food safety surveillance systems to evaluate occurrence rates of biological pathogens or chemical contaminants within meat, poultry, or egg products.
• Synthesizing scientific data to produce technical risk materials, summaries, or executive briefings for agency decision-makers.
• Leading multi-disciplinary scientific panels and advising senior leadership on complex public health hazards.
• Evaluating technical or international regulatory documents (such as World Trade Organization agreements) related to food safety standards or public health data.

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

If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of all relevant college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, official transcripts will be required 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.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.