Biosecurity Manager

Defense Health Agency • Fort Detrick, MD

15h

About The Position

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation using the DHA for STEM Positions to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. The Biosecurity Manager manages the Select Agent Management and Personnel Reliability Offices and ensures compliance with DoD, Army, Federal, State, and local regulations. The position serves as the Responsible Official for communication with the CDC and provides oversight of security, biocontainment and biosafety, and incident response involving select agents and toxins under 42 CFR 73. The manager advises the Command on factors affecting biological security and bio-risk management; develops concepts, policies, and procedures for biosecurity, personnel reliability, BSAT accountability, and emergency response; and participates in Army, DoD, and Federal policy reviews and updates. The position also oversees day-to-day office operations and performs first- and second-line supervisory and managerial duties.

The role is within USAMRIID's Personnel Demonstration Project (PDP), with the DB-04 payband equivalent to GS-15, steps 1–10. Candidates must meet the degree or education-and-experience basic requirement and have at least one year of specialized experience; education cannot substitute for this specialized experience. The position requires Top Secret SCI eligibility, participation in the Biological Personnel Reliability Program, Controlled Substances Personnel Reliability Program, and Occupational Health Surveillance Program, and approval for access to laboratories containing biological select agents and toxins. The incumbent works in containment suites with highly hazardous infectious agents and toxins at biosafety levels 3 and 4.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a related discipline appropriate to the position; alternatively, courses equivalent to a major in one of these fields plus appropriate experience or additional education. Transcripts must be provided.
• At least one year of specialized experience conducting internal inspections in areas where select agents or toxins are stored for regulatory compliance, characterizing or validating BSAT status for agents and toxins stored in the activity, and identifying and addressing BSAT program deficiencies for correction. Education cannot substitute for this experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain eligibility for a Top Secret SCI security clearance or access for the duration of employment.
• Satisfactory completion of a background investigation and suitability or fitness determination.
• Participation in the Biological Personnel Reliability Program and Controlled Substances Personnel Reliability Program, with current enrollment certifications maintained as a condition of continued employment.
• Participation in the Occupational Health Surveillance Program, including required pre-employment and annual physical examinations.
• Approval by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice for access to laboratories containing biological select agents and toxins.
• Pre-employment and random drug testing, including testing based on reasonable suspicion or direct involvement in an on-duty accident.
• Pre-employment and annual financial disclosure reporting as required by DoD rules.
• U.S. citizenship is required; proof of citizenship must be provided.
• The position is supervisory and requires a one-year supervisory probationary period unless previously completed.
• Appointment may require a three-year probationary period unless previously completed.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.

Nice To Haves

• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Select Agent Management and Personnel Reliability Offices and ensure compliance with DoD, Army, Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Serve as the Responsible Official for communication with the CDC and oversee security, biocontainment and biosafety, and incident response for select agents and toxins under 42 CFR 73.
• Advise the Command on internal and external factors affecting biological security and bio-risk management.
• Develop concepts, policies, and procedures related to biosecurity and bio-risk management, including physical, personnel, operational, and information security.
• Develop concepts, policies, and procedures related to biological personnel reliability, BSAT accountability, and emergency response to BSAT.
• Create, analyze, and review reports and written and oral correspondence, including Executive Summaries and command-level presentations.
• Communicate with Federal Select Agent Program Principal Investigators and technical staff to resolve issues.
• Participate in Army, DoD, and Federal policy reviews and updates involving biosecurity.
• Perform first- and second-line supervisory and managerial duties and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Responsible Official.
• Conduct internal inspections in areas where select agents or toxins are stored; characterize or validate BSAT status for agents and toxins stored in the activity; and identify and address BSAT program deficiencies for correction.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior