Supervisory Microbiologist

Agricultural Research Service • Manhattan, KS

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), in Manhattan, Kansas. The role provides leadership, subject-matter expertise, quality maintenance, and operational support for biosafety, biosecurity, training, and written instructions needed to safely operate critical laboratory infrastructure and support scientific research. The position manages high- and maximum-containment operations and serves as a recognized expert, advising international, federal, state, and local agencies.

Requirements

• U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Meet the microbiology education requirement through a qualifying degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, including specified coursework in microbiology and physical and mathematical sciences.
• At least one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-13, directly related to the position.
• Specialized experience implementing a BSL-3 and BSL-4 containment operations program.
• Experience validating autoclaves, thermal tissue autoclaves, effluent decontamination systems, gamma irradiation, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, or chlorine dioxide gas decontamination.
• Experience performing risk assessments and incident investigations.
• Successfully pass required background investigation and/or fingerprint checks, E-Verify, and applicable security risk assessments and clearances.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Serve a one-year probationary period, including a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable.
• Successfully complete required USDA supervisor training during the supervisory probationary period.
• Submit to pre-employment and random drug testing; continued employment is conditional on negative results.
• Participate in the Occupational Medical Surveillance Program.
• Motor vehicle or commercial driver’s license required.
• For positions working with BSL-3 or higher agents or in BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities, Tier 3 clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and implement the Biorisk Management Unit’s high- and maximum-containment operations program.
• Coordinate operations related to critical containment and decontamination systems, including routine validation of sterilization programs and incident response for autoclaves, thermal tissue autoclaves, and effluent decontamination systems.
• Perform risk assessments, incident investigations, and root cause analyses.
• Develop and update high- and maximum-containment Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other facility documents.
• Provide consultation and advice to international, federal, state, and local agencies as a recognized expert in high- and maximum-containment operations.
• Provide leadership, subject-matter expertise, quality maintenance, and operational support for biosafety, biosecurity, training, and written instructions.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized, subject to the hiring official’s determination.
• May be eligible for telework up to four days per week, based on position duties.
• May be eligible for flexible work arrangements, subject to agency policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

What This Job Offers

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