Duties

Summary

This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This position is being filled under DoD Modified Direct Hire Authority, Section 1109; PL, 116-92, dated 12/20/2019 .

As a Biologist at the GS-0401-13/14 some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Serves as the primary science and technical manager for assigned CTR biological threat reduction projects and programs in the assigned geographic area.
• Identifies and assesses the scientific and technical assistance needs of partner nations, developing science and technical requirements and specifications, coordinating the efforts of non-DoD agencies, COCOM assets, international partners and NGOs.
• Accomplishes enhancement of the biological threat reduction capabilities of the partner nations to sustainably execute safe, secure, effective, and modern disease surveillance, detection, diagnosis, and reporting systems through scientific and technical engagements (biorisk).
• Conducts periodic reviews of projects to ensure scientific and technical progress and accomplishments are consistent with requirements.
• Establishes and maintains close interaction with other relevant DTRA, DoD, and U.S. Government programs. Reports progress on portfolio plans, projects, and activities to supervisor on a regular basis.
• Serves as a lead scientific and technical interlocutor during technical discussions with U.S. and foreign officials concerning BTRP projects.
• Develops close ties and a solid working relationship with foreign counterparts and with representatives from COCOMs, other U.S. agencies, international partners, and NGOs.
• Represents BTRP and CTR at all appropriate levels with counterparts in the assigned geographic area, and within the U.S. interagency.
• Maintains liaison with appropriate offices and individuals to keep them informed of significant accomplishments, program changes and other substantive events.
• As a U.S. Government delegation leader on trips to foreign countries, leads the performance of a diverse group of civilian, military, and contractor personnel in the accomplishment of delegation activities.
• As delegation lead, serves a facilitator, negotiator, primary point of contact, and principal decision-maker, within existing authorities.
• Maintains liaison with U.S. Embassy personnel, foreign officials, directors of large civilian enterprises, and high-ranking and/or flag/general officers in various ministries of the governments within the assigned geographic region.
• Prepares project and program plans, acquisition documentation, implementation plans, and funding plans for developing and managing a comprehensive biological threat reduction science engagement portfolio in the assigned geographic area.
• Responsible for managing, planning, programming, budgeting and execution of multiple efforts within assigned geographical area to ensure success of assigned CTR projects. Responsible for managing DTRA contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements.
• Establishes realistic goals and priorities; provides for the timely dissemination of reports, plans and meeting results, and keeps BTRP and CTR leadership, and key DoD and U.S. Government stakeholders, and host nation agencies and ministries (as directed/required) informed of progress and significant accomplishments.
• Executes approved biological science and technical plans and projects through DTRA contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requests (MIPRs), Interagency Cost Reimbursement Orders (IACROs).
• Conducts periodic reviews, and monitors progress and deliverables for all assigned projects to ensure that products and services provided are consistent with requirements.
• Develops and monitors obligation, expenditure, and disbursement plans.
• Coordinates, as required, logistical support requirements with cognizant specialists to ensure provision of necessary transport equipment and systems to the end user.
• Monitors, as required, logistic support services required to support implementation of approved plans, projects, and activities. Prepares procurement specifications and documents.
• Chairs technical source selection evaluation boards.
• Prepares source selection recommendations.
• Conducts detailed technical discussions with contract bidders.
• Debriefs both winning and losing bidders on proposal merits/deficiencies.
• Provides day-to-day technical guidance to performers; monitors contractor/collaborator performance; reviews and approves all contract/collaborator reports and deliverables, and recommends required adjustments to existing performer awards.
• Provides technical oversight and management for grants, MIPRs, IACROs, and complex technical contracts requiring several years duration awarded to both U.S. and foreign enterprises.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - ? Travel in the performance of temporary assignments may be required up to 50% of duty time. Temporary duty travel will be in the United States and foreign countries.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Occasional Travel
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible
• PCS: Authorized
• Must consent to and pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to periodic random drug testing thereafter.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid passport.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS 13 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service as listed below:

• Knowledge of a wide range of concepts, principles, and practices in the areas of program management, administration, acquisition, biological sciences research & development, test and evaluation and/or similar areas.
• Knowledge of project management functions, including planning, programming, budgeting, procurement, logistics, and resource management.
• Skills required to develop and execute comprehensive and complex biological CTR project plans.
• Developing and/or implementing successful international biological science research programs and/or projects in low-middle income countries.
• Knowledge of bio-risk management and disease surveillance (detection, diagnosis, and reporting) principles, methodologies, approaches, and best practices.

You may qualify at the GS 14 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service as listed below:

• Knowledge of a wide range of concepts, principles, and practices in the areas of program management, administration, acquisition, biological sciences research & development, test and evaluation and/or similar areas.
• Knowledge of project management functions, including planning, programming, budgeting, procurement, logistics, and resource management.
• Skills required to develop and execute comprehensive and complex biological CTR project plans.
• Developing and/or implementing successful international biological science research programs and/or projects in low-middle income countries.
• Knowledge of bio-risk management and disease surveillance (detection, diagnosis, and reporting) principles, methodologies, approaches, and best practices.

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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0401, series as listed below:

0401 Series: 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.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/general-natural-resources-management-and-biological-sciences-series-0401/

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application, or (2) If you are serviced by the office filling this position and your transcripts are on file in your official personnel folder, you are not required to submit. However, it is your responsibility to ensure transcripts are on file.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Foreign Education

Additional information

Other Notes:

Medical exam and inoculations recommended for entry into certain geographic areas that have known disease prevalence for which U.S. citizens are not routinely inoculated. The incumbent is encouraged to receive appropriate inoculations; however, the decision to accept them is totally voluntary.

This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at:
http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences.

Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements.

Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

For information on entitlement see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Secret

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc).

Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

The following documents are REQUIRED
1. Your resume:

• Your resume may be submitted in any format. It must include your name and contact information and support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
• For qualifications determinations your resume must contain the number of hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e.," HRS per week and month/year" or "HRS per week and month/year to present").
• For additional information see: What to include in your resume.

2. Transcripts

• This position has a degree or education requirement so you are required to submit a copy of your transcript
• College transcript(s), required if qualifying based on education. We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain your name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was awarded, and the lists of classes and credits earned.

3. Veteran's Documents

• If applying using veteran's preference or under a Veteran's hiring authority you must submit the following documents:
• DD214 showing character of service, SF-15 Form and VA letter showing final percentage, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty.

PLEASE REVIEW THE BELOW LINK FOR OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS needed for proof of eligibility:
https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/FourthEstateRequiredSupportingDocumentation%205-4-2020.pdf?ver=2020-05-07-140551-783

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 schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

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.