Biologist

US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Agriculture APHIS NWRC in Fort Collins, CO seeks a wildlife disease researcher to perform and assist in laboratory and field studies related to wildlife diseases.

The position requires a basic degree in biological sciences or related disciplines, with combinations of education and experience acceptable, and emphasizes data analysis in R and field sample collection.

Applicants must meet federal qualifications by the closing date.

Qualifications

• Basic degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines.
• Combination of education and experience may qualify for this position.

Responsibilities

• Perform and assist in laboratory and field studies on wildlife diseases.

Skills

R statistical software

Laboratory study design

Wildlife tissue sampling

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or related

Job description

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. 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

• 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 ... 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.