You will serve as staff biologist interacting in a technical and representational capacity with USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services, USDA/FSIS, International Services, tribal councils, state wildlife and agricultural departments, and numerous universities and other organizations on issues involving feral swine damage management, research, and disease monitoring.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. BASIC REQUIREMENT: A bachelor's degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: A four year degree with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: - Professional knowledge of public health in order to guide disease activities towards zoonosis and others pathogens of public health concern. - Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate technical information both orally and in writing at all levels. Must understand technical research results (publications) and communicate their meaning to the NFSP leadership - Ability to review and synthesize current literature to identify gaps in feral swine disease research and develop activities to address these concerns. - Awareness of disease transmission ecology, principles and practices related to the control and management of wildlife diseases is required - Knowledge and ability to work effectively with complex scientific and technical data and information; federal and state administrative processes; personnel with varying specialties; and cooperative and coordination issues critical to programmatic success. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. 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.
The duties may include, but are not limited to:
Provides technical expertise, advice, and support for the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program (NFSP), regarding disease activities related to feral swine, and disease surveillance.
Gives oversight to all disease reports and publications, analysis and reports disease data, and provides biological collections oversight.
Serves on scientific advisory panels and boards, and at the request of the Program Manager, represents the National Feral Swine Program on various assignments
Provides oversight in developing, evaluating, and preparing presentations on the Disease and Populations Monitoring Component of the Program, including providing advice and recommendations.
Independently manages multiple projects related to feral swine disease activities.
Provides leadership in assuring standard operating procedures (SOPs) are developed and coordinates implementation.
Develops training programs for WS personnel and cooperating state and federal agency personnel working on feral swine disease activities.
Primary point of contact among the program and NWRC and with universities on collaborative disease activities, including participating on graduate student committees as appropriate.
As lead for feral swine disease activities, develops cooperative relationships, and assists WS and other agencies personnel in accomplishing programmatic objectives.