Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Safety and Occupational Health Specialist (Biosafety Specialist)

Company: 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Location: 

Ames, 
IA 
50012 
US

Job Description:

Summary The Biosafety Specialist manages the Biological Safety Cabinet Certification, Room & Equipment Decontamination, and the HVAC Exhaust Filter Certification programs at the National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH). You will report to the Biosafety Manager within the Safety and Security unit of the Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB). Your work will contribute to the effectiveness of the overall biosafety program as well as the safety and health of employees. Responsibilities The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Assists with the scheduling and performance of daily biosafety specialist work activities to ensure timely performance and value of services rendered. Identifies training needs and the receipt of training by biosafety specialists. Identifies equipment, supply, and other budget elements to ensure the operational status of the biosafety group. Develops unique strategies to ensure programs adhere to safe biosafety and biosecurity procedures. Develops measures to assess compliance with established biosafety policies and procedures. Advises management and engineering staff on suitable compliance actions to ensure mechanical systems comply with regulatory requirements. Independently schedules and conducts surveys of buildings and facilities to include laboratory facilities (BSL2 and BSL3) and animal holding facilities (ABSL2 andABLS3). Directs investigation of accidents, theft, loss, releases, or inventory discrepancies of biological agents and toxins, analyzing precipitating factors and accident cause data. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Implementing recommendations regarding biosafety, including risk assessment, incident reporting, and emergency preparedness. Inspecting buildings, work areas, practices, and operations to ensure compliance with biosafety standards. Investigating incidents and accidents to determine root cause and identify corrective actions. Reviewing safety regulations, policies, and standards to proactively identify safety program needs. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in safety or occupational health fields (safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene) or degree in other related fields that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours of study from among the following (or closely related) disciplines: safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, toxicology, public health, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, engineering, and industrial psychology. OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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 Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit (union), specifically the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2315. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Worksite Information: This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Additional information regarding ad hoc, occasional, or reoccurring telework may be obtained at a later time from the hiring manager or program during the hiring process.

Apply Now!

Use the button below to visit the company website to apply:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email