The duties described are for the full-performance level.  At

developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited

scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.



The duties may include, but are not limited to:

• 
  
• Performs pre-screening and initial assessment designed to
  mitigate interruptions in operations as a result of contaminates,
  explosive, or incendiary devices received in order to maintain
  safety of personnel and facility.  Uses established standard
  operating procedures to identify suspicious materials received and
  initiate incident response procedures.
• 
  
• Inspects all submissions and the accompanying paperwork for
  agreement and accuracy in identification and labeling.  Identifies
  and corrects inaccuracies.
• 
  
• Schedule samples for testing according to established
  procedures.
•  
  
• Identifies type of sample received, determines testing required
  and sample priority then assigns to proper laboratory section for
  testing.  If multiple tests are needed, incumbent prioritizes
  testing sequence and divides samples appropriately.
• 
  
• Determines billing status of submission and assigns the
  appropriate billing code.
• 
  
• Delivers samples to the appropriate testing, storage, or
  shipment location as necessary.
• 
  
• Enters and maintains submission information into various
  databases.
• 
  
• Reports testing results to the appropriate personnel as
  needed.
• 
  
• Creates and maintains appropriate logs of sample status and
  sample tracking in accordance with Quality Management
  standards.
• 
  
• Assists in proper destruction of hazardous biologic vaccine
  wastes.
• 
  
• Properly dispose of packaging and associated containers in
  accordance with Department of Health and Human Services or APHIS
  permits.
• 
  
• Receives and processes submissions for USDA Programs,
  including:  Tuberculosis Eradication Program, Fraudulent Blood
  Program, Tick Identification Program, Check Tests, NAHMS Projects,
  TSE Surveillance Programs, AI Program, and outbreaks.
• 
  
• Assists with import/export testing coordination.  The incumbent
  notifies laboratory personnel (employees not under his/her immediate
  supervision) for overtime work on a weekly basis.
• 
  
• Responds to a broad range of internal and external inquiries.
  
• Follows established policies, procedures and guidelines for
  issues related to environmental protection, safety, biosafety, and
  occupational health.  Maintains a current awareness of safety,
  health and environmental initiatives.  Promptly reports to his/her
  supervisor any safety related incident, including injuries, releases
  or violations of safety, health, or environmental standards,
  requirements, or guidelines.

To qualify, you MUST meet all qualification requirements by the

closing date of the announcement.



SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5/6 GRADE LEVELS:

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent

in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in

the Federal service.  This experience is typically in, or related

to, the work of the position being filled.



OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5 GRADE

 LEVEL:

Completion of four years of education above the high school level in

any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the

normal prerequisite.  This education must have been obtained in an

accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior

college, college or university.  Transcripts required if qualifying

based on this provision.



OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5 GRADE

 LEVEL:

A combination of specialized experience and post-high school

education that totals one year may be used to meet the qualification

requirements.  Only education in excess of the first 60 semester

hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable.  One full

academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is

equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.  Transcripts

required if qualifying based on this provision.



THERE IS NO EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION FOR THE GS-6 GRADE LEVEL.



***If you are found qualified for this position, you will ONLY be

considered at the grade level(s) for which you apply***

Special Conditions:

• 
  
• As a condition of employment, a background investigation may be
  required for this position.
• 
  
• Subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary
  period.
•  
  
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• 
  
• Must have the ability to lift objects up to 50 pounds.
• 
  
• Must be able to receive and maintain a favorable adjudicated
  Personnel Suitability Level (PSL) 2 background investigation and a
  Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) approval for
  handling and storing select agents and toxins.
•  
  
• The work environment is in a limited access veterinary
  biomedical laboratory and involves high risks with regular recurring
  exposure to potentially dangerous substances.
•  
  
• There may be exposure to the risks and hazards of harmful
  biological, chemical, and physical agents.
•  
  
• The incumbent may be required to wear PPE such as laboratory
  coat, masks, respirators, eye protection and gloves.
•  
  
• We understand that accepting a position with Veterinary Services
  may require the need for spousal career placement assistance.  To
  help you and your family make a successful career transition,
  Veterinary Services is dedicated to providing information on career
  placement assistance.  Please visit the following web links for more
  information:
  http://www.job-hunt.org/jobs/states.shtml
  http://www.job-hunt.org/state_unemployment_offices.shtml
• 
  
• This position is subject to unscheduled overnight details of
  undetermined lengths in the event of animal health emergencies or
  other conditions requiring immediate response, as required by the
  Agency.  (Extensive periods of time may be designated for overnight
  details.)

An automated scoring system will be used to initially rank

applicants based on their answers to the vacancy specific

questions.  Your self-determined rating, narrative responses, and

resume will then be reviewed.  The final rating will be determined

based on all the information provided in the application package.

Please ensure your resume and narrative responses provide enough

detail to support your answers to the vacancy specific questions.

HOW TO APPLY:
A complete on-line application will require the submission of the following: Resume and Core Federal Questions (See How You Will Be Evaluated found under the Qualifications and Evaluations tab for more information) Responses to the vacancy specific questions and/or Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) questions Supporting Documentation which may be required (See links under Required Documents for more information) College Transcripts or List of Coursework - MUST be in English (Key Requirement and/or Education Substitution) DD-214 and other Veterans' documents (Veterans Preference) ICTAP/CTAP eligibility documentation (Displace Employees) For instructions on using the on-line system click: APPLYING ON-LINE For information on how to submit your supporting documentation through our automated hiring system and/or print additional fax cover sheets click: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:	Top
Click on the following links to see if the supporting documentation is applicable to you: Do I need to submit college transcripts? I attended school at a foreign university. Do I need to submit any additional documents? I am applying for Veterans' Preference. What documents do I need to submit? I am a displaced or surplus Federal employee. What documents do I need to submit? Critical Submission Requirements and Reminders Help in applying online is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time at the number listed in the Contact information section. All application materials and supplemental documentation will be accepted until midnight Eastern Time on the closing date. Application and supporting documentation will not be accepted via e-mail. Fax only documents which are clear and legible.  Illegible faxed documents cannot be used for qualification or verification purposes. Due to the high volume of applicants, we are unable to confirm receipt of faxed supporting documentation. You should retain confirmation of a successful fax transmission including the number of pages successfully transmitted as proof of submission. If a document is resubmitted, it replaces the previous submission, which means the previous document is no longer available to the human resources office.  If you are adding to, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must fax both the old document and the new document. If you are using the system generated fax cover sheet, please fax to the number listed on the fax cover sheet. Please be sure to click both [Finished] buttons when completing an on-line application. Our online application system is 100% compatible with Internet Explorer (IE) versions 5.0 and above. Applicants who cannot apply on-line must request a hard copy application packet from the Agency Contact listed in the vacancy announcement. Resumes and/or supporting documentation alone will not be considered without the inclusion of a hard copy application packet.
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