Summary These positions are located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Animal Disease Center, Animal Resources Unit in Ames, Iowa. In these positions, you will be responsible for serving as a working Lead, performing a full range of technical work in support of the care and maintenance, and health and behavior of animals (including birds and fish) involved in the scientific research projects. Responsibilities Set the pace of work, demonstrates proper work methods, and answer questions concerning procedures, policies, instructions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other directives. Perform a variety of processes, methods, procedures, and tasks related to the care and feeding of the animals. Ensure feed is stored appropriately per facility SOPs including identifying and clearly labeling spoiled or contaminated feed for disposal if expired Maintain required records such as feed consumed and refused, weight, birth date including condition at birth and parentage, mortality date, general conditions, etc. Collect, prepare, and verify samples from animals such as blood and other body fluids, tissues or secretions, and culture samples using techniques as prescribed by animal care and use protocols. Monitor the progress status of work and adjusts assignments in accordance with established priorities, obtaining input from supervisor when issues arise. Provide the team of technicians and animal caretakers information and instruction concerning the schedules and sequence of operations of assigned activities. Provide training and coaching to team and new team members in the activities and the established procedures and practices involved in the health and care of animals. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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. 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 serving as a lead for an animal research team including providing guidance and information; participating in the maintenance of health and research of animals; collecting animal samples; and maintaining detailed records. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related courses may include Animal Science, Animal Husbandry, Animal Biology, or Veterinary Medicine. OR A combination of graduate level education and experience 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. 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. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer. This position is designated as a bargaining unit position and is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).
