MICROBIOLOGIST

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service; Albany (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service seeks a microbiologist in the Microbiology Branch of the Laboratory Regulatory Operations to analyze regulatory samples related to meat, poultry, and egg products. The position supports method adaptation, validation, and testing in field laboratories across the United States.

Candidates must meet the IOR requirements for GS-5 through GS-11, with experience in analyses, data review, and QA activities, and be able to work under guidance or independently

Qualifications

• Basic education requirements described in the IOR for Microbiologist (0403).
• GS-7 requires 1 year specialized experience or graduate education; at GS-7 level, experience must meet criteria.
• GS-9 requires 1 year of specialized experience at GS-7 or 2 years of graduate education.
• GS-11 requires 1 year of specialized experience at GS-9 or 3 years of graduate education (PhD).

Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological analyses with guidance in a laboratory setting.
• Review microbiological data and prepare reports with guidance.
• Assist in quality assurance or quality control activities under supervision.
• Independently perform high-throughput microbiological analyses at higher grades.

Education

BS in Microbiology

Biology/Chemistry with Microbiology coursework

Job description

Serves as a microbiologist in the Microbiology Branch of the Laboratory Regulatory Operations (LRO), Office of Public Health Science. Performs microbiological analyses on regulatory samples, as well as various tasks associated with the adaptation and validation of methods and test systems used in field laboratories in the analysis of meat, poultry, and egg products. The samples are submitted by various Food Safety and Inspection Service field personnel located throughout the United States. 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: Microbiologist (0403):This position has an individual occupational requirement that must be met in order to qualify for the position.

Individual Occupational Requirements, IOR

Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent.

OR

Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Additional information regarding Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) can be found here under 4f. Educational and Training Provisions or
Requirements.

Qualifications: Applicants can qualify for the different grades based on specialized experience, education or a combination of specialized experience and education as outlined below.

To qualify at the GS-5: Fully meet the basic education requirements described in the individual occupational requirements (IOR).

To qualify at the GS-7: An applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade or its equivalent OR one year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement. To qualify based on specialized experience at the GS-7 grade, an applicant's experience must have met the following:

• Performing microbiological analyses with guidance in a laboratory setting.
• Reviewing microbiological data and preparing reports or documentation with guidance.
• Assisting in quality assurance or quality control activities under supervision.

To qualify at the GS-9 grade: An applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7 grade or its equivalent OR two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. To qualify based on specialized experience at the GS-9 grade, an applicant's experience must have met the following:

• Independently working with microbiological samples, media, or assays in a laboratory setting.
• Independently performing electronic record keeping, preparing detailed reports on microbiological analyses and making preliminary evaluations.
• Implementing quality assurance or quality control procedures, performing equipment maintenance, and troubleshooting basic issues.

To qualify at the GS-11 grade: An applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade or its equivalent OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. To qualify based on specialized experience at the GS-11 grade, an applicant's experience must have met the following:

• Independently performing high-throughput microbiological analyses on a variety of matrices and interpreting results in a regulatory or research laboratory setting.
• Independently performing electronic record keeping, preparing advanced reports and presenting findings to internal or external stakeholders.
• Implementing quality assurance or quality control procedures, performing equipment maintenance, and providing training to junior staff.

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.