Duties

The incumbent will:

• Provide scientific and executive leadership for planning, directing, overseeing, and evaluating all division activities with a focus on achieving national and/or international public health impact and providing public health vision for laboratory practices, systems, training and workforce development, preparedness, informatics, safety, and quality management.
• Provide scientific leadership, guidance, and expertise in the practice of laboratory services in clinical settings, including overseeing the development of laboratory safety and quality management plans; directing, applying, and translating research and evaluation initiatives for laboratory practices, standards, and services; advancing laboratory diagnostics and preparedness for public health exposures and outbreaks; strengthening laboratory informatics between clinical and diagnostic laboratories; directing and managing programs that develop the clinical and public health laboratory workforce; establishing partnerships to leverage investments in laboratory training and practices; and providing the leadership, guidance, and public health vision to ensure safe and accurate laboratory performance, practices, services and enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, capacity, and capability of the public health laboratory system.
• Serve as a nationally and internationally recognized expert in laboratory systems and represents the Agency at external meetings and conferences.
• Exercise leadership to ensure that all programs under their direction reflect the principles of workforce diversity and health equity in their management and operation in such areas as recruitment and staffing, employee development, staff assignments, communications, and prioritizes health equity in its programmatic work.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Security and Background: If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required. Appointment will be subject to successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
• E-Verify: Documentation presented for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
• Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• 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.
• Recruitment incentive may be authorized.
• A two-year trial period is required.

Qualifications

Current federal employees must be at or equivalent to the GS-14 grade level or above to be considered for this position.

Current active-duty PHS officers must have served or be serving in an O-6 billet/position to be considered for this position.

Basic Qualifications for RF-0601:
Applicants must possess a degree with a major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (external link) at the time the degree was obtained. In addition to the basic qualifications requirement, a Ph.D. in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position is required.

Additional Requirements:

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, applicants must also possess one year of specialized experience which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of the position, such as experience leading a multi-disciplinary laboratory systems-focused program with knowledge of how laboratory systems, including workforce, quality management, safety, and informatic data capabilities affect public health programs.. Typically, experience of this nature is gained at or above the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations.

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.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit transcripts or a list of applicable courses with their application package. This also applies to status applicants who are applying to a position in a different occupational series than they are currently or were previously appointed. Applicants who do not submit their transcripts (or list of applicable course work) will be evaluated based on the information provided in their application package (and/or resume) along with their responses to a self-certification question asking if they meet the basic qualifications listed in the vacancy announcement. Those deemed tentatively qualified will be referred for consideration. If selected, applicants will be required to provide an official transcript prior to the final job offer. If the official transcript does not support the educational requirements of the position, the applicant will be considered ineligible for the position.

College or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page .

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For more information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ .

Additional information

This position is eligible for telework. If selected, you will be required to sign a Workplace Flexibilities Agreement.

This position is located in the Office of Laboratory Systems and Response, within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta, Georgia. The executive level compensation package is commensurate with qualifications and experience and may result in a higher salary than reflected above.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

CDC Financial Disclosure: HHS fosters a work environment committed to government ethics. Through its ethics program, HHS seeks to prevent conflicts of interest on the part of executive branch employees. A conflict-free HHS allows its public servants to make impartial decisions based on the interests of the public when carrying out governmental responsibilities, to serve as good stewards of public resources, and to loyally adhere to the Constitution and laws of the United States. As an executive branch employee, you will be subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct and the criminal conflict of interest statutes. An introduction to federal ethics will be available during orientation. You must complete the remainder of your initial ethics training during your first three months at HHS. Further details on this will be provided during orientation.

You might be required to a file a public or confidential financial disclosure report within 30 days of your appointment. You will receive formal notification if a disclosure report is required. This can require information such as recent sources of income, financial interests you hold, and outside activities you participate in, as well as similar information from a spouse or any dependent children. If you have questions, please contact the Deputy Ethics Counselor or Ethics Coordinator for your office, which you can find here: https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/ogc/contact-ogc/agency-deputy-ethics-counselors-and-ethics-coordinators/index.html

Holding ourselves to a higher standard; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention inspires public confidence in its trust responsibilities and mission by maintaining high ethical principles. This position is subject to the confidential/public financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). Therefore, if selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-Form 450) or Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-Form 278) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency. This information will be required annually.

Benefits

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 window Learn more about federal benefits .

Review our 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Applicants must meet the qualification requirements as outlined above to be eligible for further consideration. You must provide detailed evidence of the experience, knowledge, skill, ability, and other personal characteristic requirements, and show how and when they were used. This evidence must include clear and concise examples that show level of accomplishment and degree of responsibility. Qualification determinations will be based on the information provided in your application and the requirements of the position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Required Documents

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Resume - You are encouraged to use the USAJOBS online resume builder to ensure that all required information is in your resume. If you use your own résumé, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose then you must describe your job-related qualifications that include beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed.

Do not include the following types of information in your profile or resume:

• Classified or government sensitive information
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Photos of yourself
• Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
• Encrypted and digitally signed documents

2. Current Federal Employees Documentation (If Applicable) - You MUST submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent Notice of Personnel Action Form which shows your most recent grade and service status. If you are applying for a higher grade, you MUST provide an SF-50(s) (or equivalent) which clearly demonstrates you meet the 52-week time-in-grade requirement (e.g., Promotion with an effective date more than one (1) year, Within-Grade-Increase at the highest grade held).

3. Former Federal Employees Documentation (If Applicable) - You may submit a copy of your last SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent personnel action form.

4. A complete Assessment Questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12619400

5. College Transcripts - You may submit an unofficial transcript with your application package. An official transcript from an accredited educational institution is required if you are selected for the position.

6. Foreign education evaluation (if applicable)

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 resume and application tips visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Tips

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.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/06/2024 of this announcement to receive consideration.

• To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Please ensure that a personal email address is linked to your USAJOBS/login.gov account.
• Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
• After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
• You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account ( https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login ), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/ .

If you are unable to apply online:

• Applicants external to CDC - Contact the CDC Helpdesk by email at HRCS@CDC.GOV .
• Applicants internal to CDC - Contact the Human Resources - Employee Center (cdc.gov).

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online. Applying online, through your USAJOBS account, will expedite the application process and allow you to check your application. If you utilize the Alternate Application method, your USAJOBS account will not display this application or status updates related to this application.

To view the questionnaire, click on the following link:
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12619400

Agency contact information

CDC HELPDESK

Phone (770) 488-1725 Email HRCS@CDC.GOV

Address OFFICE OF LABORATORY SYSTEMS AND RESPONSE
1600 CLIFTON RD NE
ATLANTA, GA 30333
US

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. When the vacancy announcement closes, an evaluation of your qualifications will be determined by a panel of experts. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.

You will receive notice via email once this process is completed (generally 4-8 weeks).

If selected, you will be contacted with a job offer. Please ensure that your USAJOBS profile is setup with a personal email address prior to acceptance.

HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, researches emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.

Fair and Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request

CDC is the nation’s leading science-based, data-driven, service organization that protects the public’s health. For more than 70 years, we’ve put science into action to help children stay healthy so they can grow and learn; to help families, businesses, and communities fight disease and stay strong; and to protect the public’s health.

Mission: CDC works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same.

CDC increases the health security of our nation. As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. To accomplish our mission, CDC conducts critical science and provides health information that protects our nation against expensive and dangerous health threats and responds when these arise.