Biologist

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 69,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA APHIS NWRC is seeking a position in Fort Collins, CO to conduct laboratory and field studies on wildlife diseases. The incumbent will perform and assist in studies on wildlife diseases, handling samples and working with BSL-2/3 facilities under applicable biosafety regulations.

The role involves field and laboratory work, data analysis, and collaboration with teams to advance understanding of wildlife disease risks to humans and animals.

Qualifications

• Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related field.
• For GS-09, one year of specialized experience or 2 years of graduate education.
• Transcripts required if education is the basis for qualification.

Responsibilities

• Perform field, captive animal, and laboratory procedures including use of BSL-2 and BSL-3 facilities.
• Work independently in field and lab with minimal supervision.
• Prepare and conduct studies to assess pathogen transmission risk among wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.
• Handle specimens that may contain infectious agents (viruses, bacteria).
• Identify, analyze, and troubleshoot problems in field, animal studies, or the lab.

Skills

R statistical software

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or related field

Job description

Find Your Future With Us at USDA - Animal Plant Health Inspection Service

Job Summary

The position is located in Fort Collins, CO at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services (WS), National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) which is responsible for research on wildlife damage and wildlife disease issues that relate to human health and safety. The incumbent will perform and assist in laboratory and field studies on wildlife diseases.

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. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major (24 semester hours/36 quarter hours), as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Coded with R statistical software. Designed experiments and research studies on live wildlife. Collected tissue samples from wildlife for pathogen detection and isolation. OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. 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-09 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.

Major Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: This position will consist of approximately 50% field and captive animal studies, 30% laboratory work, and 20% data analysis, management, and archiving. Perform a variety of field, captive animal, and laboratory procedures, including the use of BSL-2 and BSL-3 animal and laboratory facilities. Work independently in the field and laboratory with minimal supervision. Prepare and conduct field and captive animal studies designed to assess the risk of pathogen transmission among wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Use of Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) tags and animal trapping devices such as mist nets, target nets, crow traps, Sherman traps, Tomahawk traps. Immobilization and euthanasia under field conditions; collecting and processing biological specimens (e.g., blood and tissue). Handle specimens that potentially contain infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria. Comply with Biosafety and Biosecurity Procedures, Good Laboratory Practices, Animal Welfare Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and applicable state and federal laws. Identify, analyze, and troubleshoot problems encountered in the field, in animal studies, or in the laboratory.

Position Start Date:

09/23/2026

Position Close Date:

09/29/2026

Salary Offered:

68819 - 89470 USD Per Year

You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS.