Safety Technician

This position is located within Agricultural Research Service, Plains Area, National Biological and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, KS. In this position, you will perform different operational biosafety activities ensuring biocontainment laboratory facilities and equipment are in compliance with applicable biosafety regulations, industry standards, institutional policy and accepted best practices.

Participates in the operational and preventive maintenance programs to coincide with biocontainment requirements, biorisk and occupational health and safety, environmental regulations, and operational procedures.

Conducts gaseous (or alternative) sterilization/decontamination of contaminated equipment or biocontainment facilities.

Monitors environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature and makes adjustments to enhance sterilization/decontamination efficacy.

Conducts biological monitoring and assays results as a quality control measure to determine effectiveness of sterilization or decontamination procedures.

Uses equipment, pre and post calibrates of this equipment, analyzes and interprets results obtained, and records and reports data collected.

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 background investigation and/or fingerprint check. 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 https://www.e-verify.gov/. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable. During this time your employment will be evaluated, and we may consider: your performance and conduct, the needs and interests of the agency, whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government, and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

No education requirements. Personal Recognizance Quarantine (PRQ): Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at NBAF, Select Agent Regulations specify a personal quarantine for the incumbent entering biocontainment. As a condition of employment, all personnel entering biocontainment facilities at NBAF must not be in contact with specific susceptible animals for a period of five (5) days after leaving biocontainment. Currently, restricted species include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, other ruminants, and swine. Contact with horses, birds (agricultural and pet birds) and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working with or near-contagious agents affecting these species. Restricted livestock or other restricted animal may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where quarantine cannot be enforced. Incumbents who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or may be subject to other disciplinary action. Medical confidentiality will be maintained by the examining physician and only fitness (or unfit) for duty determinations will be indicated. As required, periodic fitness for duty physicals will be scheduled. In addition, medical clearance will be required if it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator or other respiratory protection is required.