Duties

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC), within the Midcontinent Region of the USGS, provides technical assistance and leadership for addressing health issues involving resources under Department of the Interior stewardship, and fosters partnerships with federal, state, and other agencies to address wildlife health as a component of ecosystem health. The Center investigates infectious diseases and other diseases affecting a broad spectrum of wildlife by a multi-disciplinary team of specialists who provide an integrated program of disease diagnosis, field response, technical assistance, research, training, and support services. The Center's research focuses on understanding the ecology of wildlife disease to identify connections between affected host species, the disease agent, and environmental factors. Our programs aim to use this information to develop effective disease prevention and control strategies to assist resource managers to improve the health of wildlife populations.

The NWHC provides diagnostic investigation services to determine causes of wildlife morbidity and mortality events. These services include expertise in pathology, microbiology, virology, parasitology, and toxicology; and use microbiological, molecular-biological, and descriptive techniques to identify and characterize agents of infectious disease in wildlife. The effects of emerging wildlife diseases are global and profound, and can cause economic and agricultural impacts, loss of human lives, declines in wildlife populations, and ecological disturbances. The NWHC works to safeguard our Nation's wildlife- by studying the causes and drivers of wildlife disease threats, and by developing strategies to prevent and manage them.

As a Veterinary Medical Officer (Pathologist) within the National Wildlife Health Center, some of your specific duties will include:

• Serves as a member of a multidisciplinary team to investigate, diagnose, and resolve wildlife morbidity/mortality events.
Conducts postmortem examinations of wildlife submitted for cause-of
• -death investigation.
• Conducts microscopic examination of animal tissues, records and interprets histologic findings, and reviews and interprets lab test results.
• Determines significance of findings and prepares diagnostic reports appropriate for submitter and other relevant Center partners.
• Independently performs or provides support to studies including a focus on the pathology of wildlife diseases. Projects address critical science problems related to wildlife population health, disease control, and prevention.

Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion such as bending, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities. The work requires above average ability, dexterity, and attention to detail. Laboratory activities involve the need to conduct postmortem examinations for several hours at a time and to process large numbers of specimens during wildlife disease events that trigger surge capacity.

Work Environment: Work is performed in both an office and laboratory. Work requires compliance with safety guidelines and operational procedures established within the Center. The potential exists for exposure to disease agents transmissible to humans. Postmortem examinations expose the incumbent to unpleasant odors, blood, feathers, hair, and other animal parts. A variety of biological reagents and chemicals are used in conducting the work, as are syringes/needles, scalpels, knives, and other medical instruments required for postmortem examination and collection of samples. Compliance with biological containment guidelines is required. Work involves mandatory clothing changes and showers when using specific portions of NWHC facilities. The incumbent is required to participate in the Center's Health Monitoring Program and to receive appropriate immunizations.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Key Requirements:
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

• This vacancy is limited to the first 100 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes.
• Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.
• Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job.
• Work will be performed within a laboratory setting and requires vaccinations against pathogens.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive MAY be authorized in filling this position.
• A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits
  
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  Review our 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.
  
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  

  Required documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments.
  
  Resume
  

  • -Resumes are required. You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or other written form, then you must describe your job-related qualifications, including: beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience; hours worked per week; month and year of employment for each job title listed; annual salary; and description of job duties. Include name and address of employer; supervisor name and telephone number. Additional information on what to include can be found here.

  
  Supporting documents
  

  • -Upload any supporting documents identified in the Key Requirements section or included below as it applies to your eligibility. Supporting documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments

  
  Transcripts
  

  • -If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.), which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Please ensure that all documentation is legible.

  
  Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) & Inter-agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Eligibles
  

  • -If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, the Servicing Human Resources Office must receive proof by the closing date of this announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330 Subpart F for CTAP and 5 CFR 330 Subpart G for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. This includes:

  • copy of the agency notice;
  • your most recent Performance Rating; and
  • your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

  If you are a CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you will be considered well qualified if you earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to the assignment of veteran's preference points). For more information on CTAP/ICTAP please click here.
  

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
  
• How to Apply
  
  
  • -Applications (resume and application questions) for this vacancy must be received on-line via USAJOBS BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online resume, you will not be considered for this position. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Most libraries, employment offices, and all USGS personnel offices can provide access to the Internet. If applying online poses a hardship for you, you must speak to someone in the Servicing Human Resources Office listed on this announcement PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE for assistance.

  
  

  • -Instructions for Applying Online for this Vacancy Announcement: 1) Click the blue "Apply Online" button. 2) If you are not a registered USAJOBS user, please create a new account and follow the instructions to complete your application process. If you are a registered user, login to access your existing USAJOBS profile. 3) As a registered user, select a stored resume and select one or more of your stored documents to attach to your application. 4)Check the "Certification" box and click the "Apply for this position now!" button located at the bottom of the screen. 5)Address the eligibility questions as well as the questionnaire containing questions and/or task statements that address the knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies for this vacancy. 6)Submit required documents. 7) If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, please contact the USAJOBS helpdesk.

  
  

  Agency contact information

  Selena Waterman

  Phone

  703 648-7449

  Email

  swaterman@usgs.gov

  Address

  NATL WILDLIFE HEALTH CTR
  12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
  Mail Stop 600
  Reston, VA 20192
  US

  Next steps

  • -If you are rated as one of the most highly qualified candidates, you will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30-45 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified via email of the outcome. You can also go to "My Account" within USAJOBS to review your Application Status.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  

  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents