Program Specialist

Summary

This position is located with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Facilities Engineering, Plains Area, in the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), in Manhattan, Kansas.

In this position, you will be an integral member of the Quality and Select Agent Program Management Unit, serving as the primary advisor to management and employees on technical and administrative issues related to all aspects of the NBAF Select Agent Program.

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Duties

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• Serve as an expert on select agent issues, providing counsel and advice concerning the execution of policies and functions, and ensuring compliance with relevant statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements to ensure compliance involving BSAT.
• Develop, evaluate, and implement a comprehensive Select Agent Program governing possession, use, and transfer of BSAT at NBAF incorporating Federal, State, and local regulations, agency programs and policies, and best management practices.
• Apply management and technical expertise in coordinating activities on matters pertaining to facility ventilation, structural integrity, and/or biological containment to maintain and document verification of facilities for select agent purposes.
• Plan, maintain, and conduct training and drills related to the NBAF select agent program and implement new techniques and methods to resolve critical problems.
• Direct and/or conduct investigations for reports of theft, loss, release, or inventory discrepancies concerning BSAT, analyzing precipitating factors and root cause data to recommend specific methods for prevention.
• Schedule and coordinate safety inspections and/or surveys of various laboratory animal and support service areas, including but not limited to building and laboratory facilities, animal holding facilities, and registered insectary.
• Develop measures to ensure program compliance with regulatory components to include, but not limited to entity site-specific security plans, site-specific biosafety plans, site-specific incident response plans, and record keeping.
• Apply technical expertise in initiating interaction, communication, and activity coordination on matters pertaining to facility personnel and agent security to maintain select agent registration and control of BSAT.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Drug test required.
• Working outside of normal business hours (nights, weekends, holidays) may be required.
• Special Physical Requirements/Demands (may wear full encapsulated suit).
• Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment approval is required.
• Vaccine(s) required. Immunizations may be required.
• Motor vehicle or commercial driver's license is required.
• SAC and full background investigation required for positions working with BSL-3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities.
• National Agency Check with Inquiries clearance is required.
• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Respirator fitting and certification are required (N-95 or P APR).
• This position supports and/or assists the research that is being conducted by USDA-ARS scientists and is considered to be sensitive as the duties require protection of private, controlled unclassified, or proprietary information.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable.
• Medical examinations may be required. Periodic fitness for duty physicals may be required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit
• A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities.
• As a condition of employment, all personnel entering biocontainment facilities at NBAF must not be in contact with specific susceptible animals for a
  period of five (5) days after leaving biocontainment.
• You 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.
• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Minimum Qualifications

GS-13 Grade Level

Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience comparable to at least the GS-12 level, which is directly related to the work of this position, and have equipped them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is: serving as a point of contact for biological agents and toxins that may pose threats to the public, animals or plants; and interpreting or implementing regulations, procedures, and guidelines to prevent safety and security incidents during storage, use, or transfer of biological agents and toxins.

GS-14 Grade Level

Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience comparable to at least the GS-13 level, which is directly related to the work of this position, and have equipped them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is: serving as a focal point of contact for biological agents and toxins that may pose threats to the public, animals or plants; and developing, implementing, interpreting, or enforcing regulations, procedures, and guidelines to prevent safety and security incidents during storage, use, or transfer of biological agents and toxins.

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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report.

This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.

If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official.

Student Loan Repayment may be authorized. The final determination to authorize an incentive will be made by the hiring official.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.