This position is located in the National BIO and AGRO-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. The incumbent provides expertise in the NBAF Integrated emergency program to assure preparedness and response capabilities for the full range of emergencies that may impact the NBAF mission or operations. Incumbent works closely with the NBAF Deputy Director providing advice not only to the Deputy Director but the Senior Leadership and units on emergency management and response.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience as defined below. Specialized Experience: Specialized Experience is experience directly related to the position being filled and which provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Minimum Qualifications for the GS-13 level: One-year specialized experience comparable to the GS-12 grade level of the position or its non-federal equivalent performing: Planned and/or directed the administrative and functional aspects of an Emergency Management and Continuity of Operations Program (COOP) Implemented emergency action plans through the full operational phase during incidents and emergency situations. Interpreted emergency response guidelines, broad policies, regulations, and directives. Held emergency preparedness drills in accordance with regulations. Participated in the preparation, planning, programing, and budget documentation to ensure emergency management compliance. Minimum Qualifications for the GS-14 level: One-year specialized experience comparable to the GS-13 grade level of the position or its non-federal equivalent performing: Planned and/or directed the administrative and functional aspects of an Emergency Management and Continuity of Operations Program (COOP) Developed and implemented emergency action plans through the full operational phase during incidents and emergency situations. Developed and/or interpreted emergency response guidelines, broad policies, regulations, and directives. Planned and held emergency preparedness drills in accordance with regulations. Prepared After-Action Reports for emergency drills and actual emergency events and followed up on AAR action items to ensure they were addressed. Prepared, planning, programing, and budget documentation to ensure emergency management compliance. Work Environment: The work involves exposure to the risks and hazards of harmful biological, chemical, and physical agents. Restrictions against contact with birds and livestock outside NBAF apply for a period of 5 days after entry. In addition, in some building locations there is a high noise level due to ventilation, mechanical systems and laboratory equipment. Protective devices such as gloves, goggles, face mask or respirators may be used to perform laboratory and animal tasks. Strict agent safety regulations are applied to prevent the escape of animal pathogens from the work environment. The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations. Work may require working beyond normal work hours during an emergency and entering biocontainment areas may be required. Other Considerations: The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations. To comply with USDA personnel security requirements and requirements of the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP) for access to information and areas with Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT), including Tier One Select Agents at NBAF, the incumbent must meet the following: Pre-employment and random testing of substances of abuse. Participation in and adherence to the facility's Occupational Health Program. Participation in and adherence to the facility's Personal Reliability Program. The ability to obtain/maintain favorably adjudicated Background Investigations or Security clearances (required by USDA). The ability to obtain/maintain a favorable Security Risk Assessment (required by FSAP). As a condition of employment, the requirements listed above must be met. The mission of NBAF includes research, diagnosis and training for animal diseases foreign to the United States (U.S.) for the purpose of protecting American agriculture and domestic food sources from their potentially devastating effects. NBAF is vital to successfully protecting U.S. agriculture from the intentional or non-intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth disease. The position supports the biocontainment facilities and may require entry into biosafety level (BSL) 3, 3 enhanced, 3 Ag and BSL- 4 labs. The incumbent must demonstrate the physical and psychological capability to conduct normal duties that are appropriate to their position. To prevent the transmission of disease out of biocontainment and retention of the position, the incumbent must meet the following medical standards in a pre-employment medical examination conducted after the receipt of a preliminary job offer and on a periodic basis: Ability to shower out of biocontainment one or more times per day. Not have any skin condition which would prevent this. Body piercings must be able to be removed prior to entry. External medical assist devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering or not impede the ability to enter biocontainment, and the individual must still be able to shower out safely without assistance. Ability to follow instructions regarding decontamination from biocontainment. Any medical condition which could create an unsafe environment for the individual or his/her co-workers, such as: insufficient control of a medical disorder which could result in sudden loss of consciousness; and inadequate vision and hearing required for safety in a laboratory environment. Medical confidentiality will be maintained by the examining physician and only fitness (or unfit) for duty determination will be indicated. The incumbent will also be required to pass periodic fitness for duty physicals. In addition, a medical clearance will be required in the event that it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator or other respiratory protection is required. A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities. For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF which are transmissible to humans may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness under the provision of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended 21 USC 321-392. Where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for investigational purposes, the incumbent will be advised that such immunization is voluntary. Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at NBAF, biosafety protocols specify a personal quarantine for employees working on specific infectious agents in designated areas of NBAF. As a condition for employment, all personnel entering these areas at NBAF shall not be in contact with specific susceptible animals and their premises away from NBAF for a period of five (5) days after leaving the area. Currently, restricted species are cattle, sheep, goats, deer, other ruminants, and swine. Contact with horses, birds (agricultural and pet birds) and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working with or near infectious agents affecting these species. Restricted livestock or other restricted animals may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where the quarantine cannot be enforced. Employees who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or subject to other disciplinary actions.
Duties listed represent the full performance level of the position.
Coordinate the relationship between Federal, State and local stakeholders in areas of emergency response. Not only during incidents but through task/project work.
Communicate with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government and other external sources.
Serves as a member of the county Local Emergency Planning Commission to represent NBAF preparedness activities.
In collaboration with the Biorisk Management Unit (BRM), plans and holds annual drills in accordance with Federal Select Agent Program regulations.
Prepares and ensures After-Action Reports (AAR) for every drill and actual emergency event at NBAF.
Works in close coordination with Human Resources in emergency management preparedness and communications in order to evaluate risks, determine legal and regulatory participants, and determine the role of unions, vendors, contracts and employees.
Assist field units in the development and practice of natural disaster preparedness planning, training and response.
Establish mechanisms to evaluate effectiveness of emergency response plans and ensures consistency with agency policy.
Serves as lead in coordinating, developing, exercising and revising the NBAF Emergency Plans, Policies and Procedures (PPP).
Develops PPP's for NBAFs response to natural and man-made incidents and emergencies, to include biological and animal welfare at NBAF.
Responsible for professional development of emergency management and response team members and for the maintenance and accountability of all assigned equipment.
Coordinates with senior managers in the planning, testing, and training of emergency response exercises to evaluate readiness of the facility and to ensure adequacy and viability of continuity plans and supporting communication systems.