Biologist

Summary

This position reports to the Director of the Field Program at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston - Texas. The incumbent is responsible for the Biosafety - Safety - and Security Program - ensuring that research programs utilizing laboratory and/or office space adhere to standards and guidelines in biosafety - fire and natural disaster safety - radiation safety - environmental safety - equipment management - and security of the research buildings.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 06/05/2026. The Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): For the 0401 Occupational Series all applicants must have: A degree in biological sciences - agriculture - natural resource management - chemistry - or related disciplines appropriate to the position. -OR- A Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major - as shown above - plus appropriate experience or additional education. Applicant that meet the IOR above may qualify for this position based on experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. In order to meet the minimum specialized experience qualifications for this position - you must meet 3/5 of the following examples of specialized experience: Conduct laboratory and office space inspections to ensure a safe research environment - including safety and security assessments. Draft - adapt - and improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) and program protocols; monitor and review compliance to regulations. Provide recommendations - education - and training to research staff on biosafety - laboratory safety - radiation safety - and disaster response. Inspect - audit - and evaluate compliance with safety - environmental - and equipment management protocols; initiate problem-solving and remediation actions as needed. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams within and outside the facility - including serving on safety committees - and interact with inspectors - site visitors - and administrative staff. Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. if related - in a field that is directly related to the work of this position that demonstrate the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work. Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first 2 years in a field that is directly related to the work of this position that demonstrate the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work equivalent to the total requirement of this position (e.g. - 6 months of specialized experience and 1 year of post masters degree graduate education).. Qualified applicants on a certificate provided to the hiring manager will be rated on the following competencies for this position: Administration and Management Project Management Quality Management Compliance Compliance Inspection Personnel Security and Safety Biomedical Equipment Technology 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Duties

• Major Duties: Conducts formal rigorous laboratory and office space inspections on a quarterly basis to ensure that the research environment is safe for employees
• Maintains compliance with all laboratory staff ensuring appropriate attire and have identification badges while in the research buildings
• serves as a source to obtain proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for laboratory employees in conjunction with the hospital service lines
• Conducts follow ups with investigators and Research Service to ensure that deficiencies in research laboratories and offices identified by the VISN and/or Medical Center Occupational Safety inspections are corrected - or plans put in place within 30 days of receipt of notification of the safety inspections
• Coordinates and arranges for minor/major building alterations including compliance review coordination - operational flow and need review - and phase coordination with investigators and leadership
• Ensures that chemical fume hood and BSC space does not have excessive accumulation of wastes (chemical - biological - or any other type) - or used for excessive amounts of flammable chemicals - acids - or bases - or be used as a general storage area for supplies
• Monitors access to the Research Service Line buildings - disables PIV access for staff who have left the service - or modifies staff access to areas as necessary
• Responsible for annual or other specific reports dealing with any aspects of biosafety - safety - and/or research security to VA Office of Research & Development (ORD) - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - VA Office of Research Oversight (ORO) - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or other regulatory or oversight organizations
• Maintains the Research Central Controlled Substance Area for all Controlled Substance users and must be available for monthly hospital inspection and communicate with users regarding inspection results
• Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory - qualification - and performance requirements are met
• Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level
• Work Schedule: 8am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: This position may be authorized for telework
• Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Biologist/PD531410 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion - such as regular and recurring running - walking - or bending - walking or climbing ladders or scaffolds to observe - collect - or record research data
• In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job
• In other situations - such as in a laboratory - there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination.