Research Veterinary Medical Officer; Pathologist

This position is located in the Foreign Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, at the USDA-ARS, National Bio and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF), Manhattan, KS.

Conducting basic and applied research on the pathogenesis, prevention, and diagnosis of arthropod-borne foreign animal diseases in food-producing animals.

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and other basic requirements will be referred and are eligible for selection.

• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Provides leadership in selecting the research path for studies on swine, sheep, and cattle viral pathogens.
• Serves as Authorized Departmental Officer's Designated Representative for Specific Cooperative Agreements with collaborating research institutes and as team leader of assigned projects within the research project.
• Identifies and proposes productive research areas, performs independent research, and collaborates with scientists from within the ARS and from academia and private industry to best achieve the research objectives.
• Provides unique leadership and research skills to contribute to the identification, description, and characterization of the effects of foreign animal diseases in livestock.
• Develops molecular, clinical and postmortem techniques to understand virus-host interactions, and to develop methods or therapies to minimize or avoid infection and disease.
• Organizes and oversees research activities, sets priorities, directs project planning, reviews research in progress, evaluates completed research, leads discussions on the interpretation of results, and reports and publishes the progress of research.
• Assures that studies of this Research Unit meet the highest standards of animal welfare and address the highest priorities of the animal industry, action agencies, and other user groups.

• 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
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• 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. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./
• Testing Designated Position:
  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.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
• 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 FDA.
• Risks involve working with or being exposed to radioactive material, possible contagious diseases, chemicals, and possible burns from autoclaves and sterilizers, and possible injury working with and around laboratory equipment.
• 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 Select Agent clearance.
• The incumbent must be registered and accepted into the Select Agent and Toxin program mandated by the Center for Disease Control/United States Department of Agriculture as appropriate to the position’s assignments.