Photographer (Scientific-Technical)

National Institutes of Health•Montgomery County, MD

About The Position

The Photographer (Scientific-Technical) uses specialized medical and scientific photography to document patients, specimens, procedures, research activities, and scientific findings in a clinical research environment at the National Institutes of Health. The position works with physicians, scientists, researchers, and other professional staff to plan photographic coverage, understand project objectives, select suitable approaches, and provide technical advice on imaging and visual communication. At the GS-12 full-performance level, the photographer independently selects and adapts cameras, lenses, magnification, lighting, exposure, and image-capture methods to suit subjects, conditions, scientific objectives, and desired results. The work includes clinical and patient photography; close-up and magnified imaging of biological and scientific subjects; solving challenging imaging problems; and processing, enhancing, managing, and delivering digital images through appropriate software, file formats, and workflows. At the GS-11 level, the employee performs essentially the same duties with less complexity, closer supervision, and more detailed guidance. The position is designated emergency essential. The selected employee must be available to report for duty under all circumstances to support coverage 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Work requires extended standing; walking or climbing stairs; recurring bending, crouching, or stretching; and lifting lightweight to moderately heavy equipment and materials. It may involve exposure to irritant chemicals or infectious diseases, require protective clothing or gear, and requires a pre-employment medical examination and evidence of immunization.

Requirements

GS-11: At least one year of qualifying experience equivalent to GS-09 in the Federal service, or equivalent private- or public-sector experience, performing the listed medical or scientific photography and imaging tasks.
GS-12: At least one year of qualifying experience equivalent to GS-11 in the Federal service, or equivalent private- or public-sector experience, performing the listed specialized medical or scientific photography tasks.
Meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade requirements, within 30 calendar days of the announcement closing date.
Meet the U.S. citizenship or U.S. National proof requirement by the closing date.
Successfully complete a background investigation, qualification verification, onboarding, and other job-related requirements.
Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Be able to perform the essential duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.
If selected, pass a pre-employment medical examination, provide evidence of immunization, and be free from communicable diseases.
Be available, ready, willing, and able to report for duty under all circumstances as an emergency-essential employee, supporting 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year coverage.
The work requires prolonged standing; walking or climbing stairs; recurring bending, crouching, or stretching; and recurring lifting of lightweight to moderately heavy equipment and materials.
The work may involve exposure to irritant chemicals or infectious diseases and require special safety precautions and protective clothing or gear.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree in photography or biomedical photography, or specialized training in medical photography, anatomy, and medical terminology is preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform specialized medical and scientific photography to document patients, specimens, procedures, research activities, and scientific findings.
Plan and coordinate photographic coverage of medical and scientific projects in consultation with physicians, scientists, researchers, and other professional staff.
Photograph patients and clinical subjects, including anatomical and pathological conditions, medical and surgical procedures, and other medically relevant subject matter.
Perform close-up and magnified photography of biological and scientific subjects, including specimens, tissue, microorganisms, and experimental procedures.
Select and adapt cameras, lenses, magnification, lighting, exposure, and image-capture methods based on subjects, conditions, objectives, and desired results.
Develop solutions to challenging imaging requirements by adapting equipment and lighting techniques to improve image quality and capture subtle or scientifically significant details.
Process, enhance, manage, and deliver digital images using professional imaging software, appropriate file formats, and workflows.
Provide technical consultation and photographic support on photographic techniques, visual documentation, image design, file formats, and approaches for communicating medical or scientific information.
At the GS-11 level, perform substantially similar duties with less complexity and closer supervision.