Summary
If you are an exceptionally talented, knowledgeable, and motivated individual with experience in providing laboratory assistance to one or more senior investigators, performing various laboratory experiments in support of research programs, AND you want to play a significant role in a dynamic organization, then consider joining the Department of Laboratory Medicine!
Duties
As a GS-0401-12, Biologist (Molecular), your duties will include, but are not limited to the following:
- Performs complex molecular biology tests related to the diagnosis of cancer and immune diseases employing molecular biology related techniques.
- Performs specialized and technically demanding analytical procedures for diagnostic and research purposes.
- Reviews and analyzes daily quality control data and takes the appropriate steps to ensure quality results.
- Interacts directly with patient care physicians in discussing the interpretation of test results and suggests follow up procedures which may help answer clinical questions.
- Troubleshoots instruments and test methods when necessary and documents corrective actions. Performs troubleshooting with minimal. support, seeking guidance from the supervisor or senior scientist as necessary, and assists with training in troubleshooting techniques.
- Investigates new solutions to methodological problems, analyzes testing systems, and devises alternative approaches when needed to guarantee quality results.
- Works with department leadership, senior investigators and technical staff to implement new or changing programs and policies (e.g., CLIA) including, but not limited to, changes in staffing, training, reporting, documentation and inspection requirements.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
- Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
- Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
- Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
- A one-year probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
- This position is a Tier 1 emergency employee.
- Position requires Education, please provide transcripts.
- If selected, you must pass a pre-employment medical examination, provide evidence of immunization, and be free from communicable diseases.
- This position requires weekend hours, night shifts, regular and/or, holiday hours.
- This position has on-call or call-back requirements.
Qualifications
In order to qualify for a Biologist position, you must meet the following Education Requirement:Completed a bachelor's (or graduate) degree in a biological science, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to this position, from an accredited college or university;
OR
Have a combination of experience and education which includes courses comparable to a major in a biological science, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to this position,
AND
Have appropriate experience or additional education which demonstrates similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the duties of this position.
In addition to meeting the Education Requirement:
In order to qualify at the GS-12 level, you must:
Demonstrate at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: performing specialized analytical procedures for diagnostic and research purposes; assisting in developing procedures or establishing parameters for correlation of test results; interacting with patient care physicians to interpret test results and to suggest follow up procedures to help answer clinical questions; and performing troubleshooting of instruments and test methods and documenting corrective actions.
You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.
Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Ensure you support your self-ratings with the information you provide in your application. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.
Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply:
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.
The position(s) advertised in this announcement are covered by a direct hire authority. Traditional rating and ranking of applicants, including category rating, does not apply to this vacancy. You will be initially evaluated against the basic qualifications only. Qualified applicants will be referred for consideration in accordance with the . Veterans' Preference does not apply to positions covered by a direct hire authority.
To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the and the , you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.
Required Documents
REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS
RESUME:
Your resume must thoroughly describe how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. We cannot assume you have performed the necessary experience required for this position regardless of your employment history or academic career.
To ensure all of the essential information is in your resume, we encourage you to use the r. If you choose to use your own resume, you must ensure it contains all of the required information and you organize it so we can associate the following information for each experience/position:
- Job title
- Name of employer
- Beginning and ending dates of employment (month/day/year format)
- Hours worked per week. We will assume full-time unless otherwise stated. We will prorate part-time employment in crediting experience.
- Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable)
- Series and grade or equivalent (if a federal position)
Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.
For resume writing guidance, please visit the following resources: , , and the .
ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE:
You must submit a completed assessment questionnaire.
Unless otherwise stated, we will only use the information above to determine your qualifications. Not providing the required information may result in a determination that you do not meet minimum requirements for the position (e.g., an ineligible rating) or a lower rating.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR CAREER TRANSITION CLAIMS
Visit our websites to claim selection priority through the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP):
- CTAP:
- ICTAP:
Please do not submit any other supplementary documentation that is not requested of you. To protect your personal information, we will only send your resume and cover letter to the selecting official or hiring manager.
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 .
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.
