Remote Animal Science Graduate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
These positions are located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, US National Poultry Research Center in Athens, GA.
The animal research program is conducted in containment, high containment, and commercial facilities, as well as a pilot poultry processing facility. You will actively provide technical support to the animal research programs, including poultry related animal health, animal production, food safety, and product quality and utilization.
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Duties
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• Provides daily care for animals assigned to research studies, ensuring defined protocol parameters are followed and maintained, including additional protocols required of each type of animal containment.
• Participates in the collection and maintenance of daily and periodic measures such as feed consumption, body weight, and body temperature and reviews data to ensure accurate collection and repeats measures with unexpected outcomes.
• In accordance with established processes, methods, and procedures, performs a full range of duties related to poultry husbandry (hatching chicks, breeders, layers, waterfowl, and turkeys) and the processing of poultry.
• Maintains, cleans, and disinfects animal containment units and equipment in animal research and poultry processing facilities.
• Applies procedures to disassemble, assemble, test and operate isolation units to ensure biocontainment and monitors and maintains appropriate internal unit environment.
• Operates one or all of animal housing and poultry processing equipment to ensure the welfare and well-being of the animals and personnel.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• Must be able to lift items up to 75 pounds with appropriate support.
• You must be a US Citizen or US National
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of Special Agency Check and (Tier 3) background investigation and/or fingerprint check
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Drug Testing Required.
• Must participate in Occupational Medical Surveillance Program.
• Successfully clear a pre-employment physical examination and respirator fit test.
• Obtain and Maintain Security Risk Assessment from the Federal Select Agent Program.
• Showering out of containment and biocontainment one or more times a day; must not have any skin condition which would prevent the
  showering. Instructions regarding decontamination from biocontainment must be followed.
• Exigency position, the incumbent is expected to report for duty when the laboratory is closed due to hazardous weather, heightened threat
  levels, or natural disasters. Work on the weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings are required.
• Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's License required.

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-7
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for the GS-07 grade level includes one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-06 grade level 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 one or more phases of the animal research process, AND
• Working with animals in an agricultural, commercial, or research setting, AND
• Operating laboratory or field equipment in support of a research project.

Education: Successful completion of one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Animal Science, Poultry Science, or Microbiology, and related fields.
OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated above.
GS-8
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for the GS-08 grade level includes one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-07 grade level 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 planning and conducting an agricultural animal research project to include collecting or maintaining biological samples related to agricultural animals, AND
• Working with animals in an agricultural, commercial, or research setting, AND
• Operating equipment in support of an animal research project, AND
• Recording and compiling research results and data using automated software or equipment.

OR
Education: Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Animal Science, Poultry Science, or Microbiology, and related fields.
OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated 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.
This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
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 for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.