This job is open to:

The public - U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) - Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

Veterans Individuals with disabilities Military spouses

Duties

As an Environmental Health Scientist, you will:

• Serve as a recognized authority on maritime public health and represent the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) at seaports and on cruise ships in the United States.
• Design, oversee, implement, and conduct major scientific surveys/studies or projects to identify and solve environmental public health problems.
• Provide technical assistance and consultation about developing, implementing, and testing environmental health protocols for investigating and mitigating disease outbreaks with environmental etiologies, and for monitoring and controlling environmental health topics including but not limited to water and wastewater, food safety, solid waste management, vector populations, infection control, and air quality.
• Conduct operational sanitation inspections of cruise ships and produce a report of public health violations and recommendations.
• Conduct construction inspections of new or refurbished cruise ships and produce a report of public health observations and recommendations.
• Travel internationally as a senior inspector to conduct construction inspections at shipyards, at dry- and wetdocks.
• Provide guidance, and direction to port authorities on the prevention and control of gastrointestinal illnesses and other public health hazards.
• Prepare scientific and other articles and technical reports for publication.
• Make presentations at international and national meetings.

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 required.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service ( http://www.sss.gov ).
• 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 (E-Verify). 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 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

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: 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 at the time the degree was obtained.

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level, which must include the following: experience investigating gastrointestinal illness and other infectious disease outbreaks and providing public health recommendations and oversight to control ongoing outbreaks and preventing future outbreaks.

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

A copy of your transcripts or equivalent documentation is required for positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

A 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

Telework: This position has been designated as telework eligible and:

• May include remote work or telework options, and/or flexible work scheduling. These options may be requested once you have become an employee and you will be required to sign a Workplace Flexibilities Agreement that details remote or telework working conditions and expectations in accordance with the HHS Workplace Flexibilities Policy
• This position is eligible for inclusion in the Bargaining Unit.
• For more information visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/job-announcement/telework/

The Federal government, as the largest employer in the Nation, can and should show the way towards achieving drug-free workplaces through programs designed to offer drug users a helping hand, and at the same time demonstrating to drug users and potential drug users that drugs will not be tolerated in the Federal workplace if declared a drug-testing position. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Agencies must seek prior approval from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. Current or Former Political Appointees: Submit SF-50.

Incentives:

• Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Annual Leave for non-federal service) may be authorized.
• Student loan repayment incentive may be authorized.
• Travel, transportation, and moving expenses may be paid.
• PCS Expenses may be authorized, subject to the terms of the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR).

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.