Supervisory Microbiologist

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS); Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA Agricultural Research Service NBAF in Manhattan, Kansas is seeking a biosafety operations specialist to lead biosafety and biosecurity initiatives, provide training, and maintain critical laboratory infrastructure to support scientific research.

The role requires specialized experience with BSL-3/BSL-4 containment, validation of autoclaves and decontamination systems, and performing risk assessments and incident investigations to ensure safe, compliant lab operations at NBAF.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience with BSL-3/BSL-4 containment programs.
• Experience validating autoclaves, tissue autoclaves, and decontamination systems.
• Ability to perform risk assessments and incident investigations.

Responsibilities

• Support leadership and operational biosafety and biosecurity in NBAF.
• Provide training and written instructions for safe lab operation.

Skills

BSL-3 containment operations

BSL-4 containment operations

Autoclave validation

Risk assessments

Incident investigations

Job description

Summary

This position is located at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Services (ARS), The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), located in Manhattan, Kansas. The mission is to provide leadership, subject-matter expertise, quality maintenance, and operational support in implementing biosafety, biosecurity, training and written instructions to safely operate the complex, critical laboratory infrastructure and support the execution of science research.

Duties

This position is located at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Services (ARS), The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), located in Manhattan, Kansas. The mission is to provide leadership, subject-matter expertise, quality maintenance, and operational support in implementing biosafety, biosecurity, training and written instructions to safely operate the complex, critical laboratory infrastructure and support the execution of science research.

Requirements

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. In addition to meeting the basic education requirement in the Education Section below, all applicants must also meet the following minimum qualification requirements:

Specialized Experience

• Qualifying experience for GS-14 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-13 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is the experience implementing a BSL-3 and BSL-4 containment operations program; performing validation activities related to autoclaves, thermal tissue autoclaves, effluent decontamination systems, gamma irradiation, Vaporized hydrogen peroxide or Chlorine dioxide gas decontamination, performing risk assessments and incident investigations.
• 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.

About Agricultural Research Service

Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Our job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. What we do matters in science and the world. For more information about Agricultural Research Service, go to https://www.ars.usda.gov/.