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USAJOBS · 1 month ago

MICROBIOLOGIST

Athens, Georgia, USA

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid, Senior Level, Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

$43K/yr - $122K/yr

1+ years exp

The Food Safety and Inspection Service is seeking a Microbiologist to serve in the Microbiology Branch of the Laboratory Regulatory Operations. The role involves performing microbiological analyses on regulatory samples and adapting and validating methods used in field laboratories for analyzing meat, poultry, and egg products.

ConsultingGovernmentHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologyInternetStaffing Agency

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Performs microbial analyses on a variety of samples of meat, poultry and egg products

Performs microbial examinations of meat or poultry products and their ingredients to determine presence, numbers, and species of bacteria, Salmonella, Listeria, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Campylobacter

Prepares and maintains reagents

Performs lot acceptance on commercially acquired test kits and reagents

Operates and maintains a variety of analytical instruments

Maintains quality control on instrumentation necessary to perform assigned analyses

Maintains quality assurance records to serve as documentation for ISO 17025 accreditation, the Microbiological Laboratory Guidebook, and the Quality Assurance Plan of the laboratory

Interprets and evaluates the results of the analyses according to FSIS and OPHS laboratory policy

Develops and writes laboratory and section work instructions, spreadsheets, and forms for adoption into the laboratory quality system

Accurately reflects work performed daily by recording on prescribed documents and within the electronic Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

Maintains quality assurance records in such a manner that they serve as documentation for ISO criteria for the USDA Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook and the Quality Assurance Plan of the Laboratory Guidebook

Presents findings in a transparent and accurate manner

Qualification

Microbiological analysesQuality assuranceLaboratory techniquesElectronic record keepingReport preparationTechnical competenceComputer skillsAttention to detailWritten communication

Required

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

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

Must be a US Citizen or US National

Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt

Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check

Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served

Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check

False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service

If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation

If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS 'E-VERIFY' system

Must be at least 18 years of age

Should be able to read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in the English language

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

To qualify at the GS-12 grade: An applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade or its equivalent

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; Leading the development and validation of new methods or technologies; Independently implementing quality assurance or quality control procedures, performing equipment maintenance, and providing training to junior staff

Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college, or university

If using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application as long as it includes: student name, school name, and enough information to validate qualifications (course names, prefixes, grades, semester or quarter credit hours, date degree was awarded, etc.)

If any education was completed at a foreign institution, you must submit evidence that the institution was accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is equivalent to U.S. education standards

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.