Summary This position is located in the ARS, Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Team, National Animal Disease Center, located in Ames, IA. In this position, you will participate in research aimed to produce knowledge and technology to reduce economic losses from infectious and metabolic diseases to the livestock and poultry industries and the associated rural agricultural community. Research will aim to improve food safety by reducing foodborne pathogens in animals. Responsibilities Maintains an inventory of chemicals, stock solutions, etc., and prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory. Collects, measures, evaluates and verifies animal or enteric pathogen/bacterial samples and supporting records. Keeps detailed records of experimental data. Contributes ideas towards the planning and sequencing of the technical aspects of animal research. Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. Assists in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of technical duties, in a laboratory or field. Adapts, modifies, or develops new techniques and/or procedures to satisfy the needs of research. Tabulates and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. GS-6 Specialized experience: must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-06 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in experiments related to microbiology, molecular biology, or animals in a laboratory or field setting; collecting and evaluating samples; and maintaining records of experimental data. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include microbiology, molecular biology, agriculture, or animal science. OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. GS-7 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in a research project involving microbiology, molecular biology or animals; analyzing enteric pathogen/bacterial samples with laboratory equipment; and keeping records of experimental data. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include microbiology, molecular biology, agriculture, or animal science. OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. 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 Please see above for education qualification requirement information. 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. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of job offer. 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 be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. This position is designated as a bargaining unit position and is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).