Biologist

About this role

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

FOR THE GS-9 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-7 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Testing, regulating, and/or reviewing methodologies or principles of analysis in botany, chemistry, pesticide residue determinations, microbiology, food nutrition, molecular biology, and/or food authenticity.

Operating within a Quality Management System that adheres to standards such as ISO 9001:2015, ISO 17025:2017, ISO 19011:2018, or other domestic and international standards. Experience with quality assurance functions (e.g., root cause analysis, corrective actions, audits, record keeping, etc.). Experience with or reviewing laboratory quality assurance practices (e.g., use of certified reference material, proficiency testing programs, quality control charting, etc.).

OR: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in courses relating to the basic requirement. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-9 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Administering a Quality Management System accredited to a standard such as ISO 9001:2015, ISO 17025:2017, ISO 19011:2018, or other domestic and international standards under the direction of supervisor or senior employee.

Initiating, investigating, performing root cause analysis, and/or implementing corrective action process with limited supervision. Evaluating quality data, validation/verification data, quality practices, and/or quality functions and reporting nonconformities. Maintaining records to ensure the accuracy and defensibility of the data. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D.