Summary
As a global leader in public health & health promotion, CDC is the agency Americans trust with their lives. In addition to our everyday work, each CDC employee has a role in supporting public health emergency management, whether through temporary assignments to emergency responses or sustaining other CDC programs and activities while colleagues respond. Join our team to use your talent, training, & passion to help CDC continue as the world's premier public health organization. Visit
Duties
The CDC utilizes Direct/Expedited Hire Authorities to fill vacancies in a variety of occupations. This vacancy is a REPOSITORY of applications. Duties and responsibilities vary and may increase according to the grade level of the position. Applications may be periodically referred to hiring managers both during the open period and after the closing date. Because of the large number of applications anticipated, applicants' status will not be updated.
This public notice will be used to fill the positions listed below at multiple grade levels and locations.
- Microbiologist (Data Scientist) & Microbiologist (Informatics): Grades GS-07 through GS-15.
Duties may include but are not limited to:
- Serving as technical advisor for the administration and management of assigned projects and studies, including the direction and control of project planning, project review and findings.
- Consulting and collaborating with statistical, data science, artificial intelligence (e.g., machine learning), and public health professionals in the collection, linkage, processing, coding, classification, mining and analysis of public health surveillance, research, and administrative health data.
- Preparing comprehensive reports that include discussion of substantive issues related to data science methodology for public health surveillance and related applications.
- Managing projects involved with public health informatics and serving as a subject matter expert in the design and implementation of IT systems integrating microbiologic and other information from a scientific perspective.
- Providing advice on the application of IT to the development and promotion of uniform data elements in national health information systems.
- Serving as consultant and advisor to scientific and technical personnel and their contractors in a large variety of subject matter areas including specialized knowledge in microbiology with an emphasis on molecular diagnostics and antigen-based detection and characterization.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Due to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) process enhancement to use Shared Certificates throughout the Agency, some of the requirements below may differ:
- US Citizenship is required.
- Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service ().
- May be subject to a Background/Security Investigation. Security clearance level may differ from the position announced when certificates are shared.
- CDC participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (). If selected, CDC will determine your employment eligibility using your social security number.
- Direct deposit is required.
- One-year probationary period may be required.
- This position may be subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- This public notice may be used to fill supervisory or managerial positions and selectees may be subject to 1 year supervisory or managerial probationary period.
- Positions may be filled as permanent or term appointments.
- This position may be subject to the OGE Financial Disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). CDC inspires public confidence in its trust responsibilities and mission by maintaining high ethical principles. If selected, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency. If identified, this will be an annual requirement.
- In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 15, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. This position may require a Drug Test and be subject to Random Drug Testing. The position may require the submission of a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative test result.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:- Degree:microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent. OR
- Combination of education & experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
- GS-7:
- At least 1 year of graduate-level education OR
- Superior academic achievement (See Education section) OR
- Data Scientist: At least 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service, to include experience gathering data to support work in various scientific and public health areas associated with numerous microorganisms and biological agents OR
- Informatics: At least 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service, to include experience performing scientific work in microbiology and information system; coordinating efforts to apply laboratory informatics standards, policies, and procedures to improve interoperability between clinical and public health laboratories, public health agencies and other healthcare delivery OR
- A combination of education & experience
- GS-9:
- At least 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree OR
- Data Scientist: At least 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service, to include experience gathering data from multiple sources, data processing, exploratory data analysis in scientific and public health areas associated with numerous microorganisms and biological agents OR
- Informatics: At least 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service, to include experience performing and interpretating a variety of scientific operational methods molecular and biochemical tests to identify or determine the presence of microorganisms OR
- A combination of education & experience
- GS-11:
- At least 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR
- Data Scientist: At least 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, to include experience gathering data from multiple sources, data processing, exploratory data analysis, anomaly detection, measurement, unstructured data analysis, interpretation of findings, in microbiology with emphasis on public health OR
- Informatics: At least 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, to include experience applying established scientific techniques to investigate and analyze various conventional problems and questions or to investigate and analyze discrete aspects of more complex problems and standards related to improving laboratory data interoperability through collaboration with other organizations or agencies OR
- A combination of education & experience
- GS-12:
- Data Scientist: At least 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, to include experience performing data science work that requires extraction of knowledge from public health surveillance systems and programs at the local, state, and national levels OR
- Informatics: At least 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, to include experience identifying and characterizing microbiological information for processing, computer management by analyzing laboratory procedures and processes as it relates to microorganisms and their reactions to the environment
- GS-13:
- Data Scientist: At least 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, to include experience performing data science work that requires extraction of knowledge from public health surveillance systems and programs at the local, state, and national levels OR
- Informatics: At least 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, to include experience providing expertise as a scientist in the broad practice of public health informatics; and reviewing services on specific problems, projects, or programs, and operating conditions directly affecting populations
- GS-14:
- Data Scientist: At least 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service, to include experience performing advanced data science work that requires extraction of knowledge from public health surveillance systems and programs at the local, state, and national levels OR
- Informatics: At least 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service, to include experience applying advanced theories, principles, concepts, practices, standards, methods of microbiology, other biological science, and related fields sufficient to develop and coordinate policies and the overall program
- GS-15:
- Data Scientist: At least 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service, to include experience planning and executing microbiological surveillance of health events, occupational, environmental exposures, injuries and/or disease outbreaks; and recommending preventive measures to reduce such threats in targeted populations OR
- Informatics: At least 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service, to include experience analyzing complex data sets/information using informatics, systems, and a variety of reporting tools to improve public health; providing direction in designing, coordinating, and maintaining information technology (IT) project goals, objectives, and priorities
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.
Promotion potential: Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your meeting qualifications and time-in-grade requirements, demonstrated ability to perform the higher-level duties, the continuing need for the higher-level duties, and administrative approval. Promotion to the next grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.
The utilization of shared certificates for additional selections within the same geographical area can be made from multiple Centers of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
This position is being filled through Direct Hire Authority for this occupation and is open to all US Citizens. Vacancies will be filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority. Veterans' preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to positions filled under this announcement. All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration. Applications received as a result of job fairs, recruitment events, and emergency hiring mechanisms in support of this hiring initiative will also be accepted during the duration of the direct-hire authority.
For more information on OPM's authorization of Direct Hire Authority, please visit:
Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet all of the requirements outlined in the qualification section of this announcement in order to be considered "well qualified."
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you MUST submit a complete Application Package which includes the following. Note: All documents must be in English.
1. Resume - Must reflect name, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (month/year) of employment and duties performed.
Current/former Federal employee:
- Must reflect pay plan, series and grade, i.e., GS-0301-9.
2. Transcripts (if applicable) - You may submit an unofficial transcript. An official transcript from an accredited educational institution is required if you are selected.
3. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/ Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):
- Supporting documentation i.e., Reduction in Force (RIF) notice or Certificate of Expected Separation (CES), AND most recent:
- Current annual performance appraisal
- SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action)
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
For Résumé and Application Tips visit:
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 .
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.