Safeguarding American Agriculture: Lead High-Containment Animal Care at USDA NBAF
American agriculture represents one of the nation's most vital economic and survival pillars. Protecting this vast infrastructure from biological threats, transmissible diseases, and foreign animal pathogens requires world-class science, cutting-edge facilities, and highly dedicated specialists. At the center of this defense network is the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), operating the state-of-the-art National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas.
The USDA ARS is currently hiring a Supervisory Biological Science Technician (Animal/High Containment) at the GS-11 grade level. This specialized role offers veterinary, laboratory, and scientific leaders a unique opportunity to oversee animal care operations, manage research protocols, and lead technical teams within high-containment (BSL-3/BSL-4) environments. If you possess a strong background in veterinary sciences, laboratory coordination, and safety compliance, this position allows you to direct operations at the forefront of global biosafety research.
About the Agency: USDA ARS & NBAF
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the USDA's chief in-house scientific research agency. The agency is tasked with finding innovative solutions to agricultural problems affecting citizens daily—from field to table. The mission of the NBAF Animal Resources Unit (ARU) is to support all aspects of animal health, welfare, and containment at this premier facility. NBAF serves as a national asset, enabling researchers to study high-consequence pathogens that threaten the livestock industry and public health. Joining the ARS means participating in work that directly impacts international trade, food security, and scientific advancement.
Job Responsibilities
As a Supervisory Biological Science Technician, you will transition between team leadership, administrative oversight, and hands-on veterinary technical care. Your actions will maintain research integrity while keeping personnel, animals, and the public safe.
Primary responsibilities include:
- Program Oversight & Collaboration: Initiating, organizing, and supervising animal management programs tailored to the unique needs of research scientists. You will evaluate research protocols and environmental enrichment activities to align with study goals and regulatory standards.
- Technical Veterinary Support: Working directly in containment zones to administer medications, perform animal restraint, monitor health, and collect biological samples (such as blood, urine, feces, and saliva).
- Team Leadership: Directing and coordinating daily work schedules for technical teams. You will provide training, evaluate performance, and promote safety protocols within biocontainment.
- Maintenance & Recordkeeping: Managing specialized laboratory and animal housing equipment within high containment. You must maintain strict clinical logs, bio-defense records, and inventory files in compliance with federal laws.
Job Requirements
Because of the critical nature of bio-defense research, candidates must meet rigorous professional, physical, and medical standards.
Experience & Education
To qualify at the GS-11 level, applicants must meet one of the following paths by the closing date of the announcement:
- Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-10 level in the federal service or private equivalent. This experience must demonstrate technical training delivery in veterinary environments, laboratory/personnel coordination, and regulatory compliance.
- Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field such as Agricultural Science, Veterinary Science, Animal Science, or Biology.
- Combination: A qualifying blend of higher-level graduate education and specialized experience.
Physical & Medical Standards
Work within high biocontainment is physically demanding and requires peak health and coordination. Candidates must demonstrate:
- Physical Demands: Daily heavy physical exertion, including standing, bending, and walking for extended periods. You must be able to lift 75 pounds regularly (occasionally up to 100 pounds) and move animal carcasses up to 300 pounds with mechanical handling devices.
- Decontamination & Medical Compliance: Ability to shower out of biocontainment multiple times per day. Candidates must be free of skin conditions that prevent daily showering, remove body piercings prior to entering containment, and be able to remove external medical devices safely.
- Respiratory Protection: Ability to pass a pulmonary function test and respirator fit testing. Due to safety seals, facial hair restrictions must be observed.
- Immunization & Blood Samples: Agreement to provide baseline blood samples and receive vaccinations for studied pathogens (FDA-approved or approved for investigational use).
Personal Quarantine Requirements
To prevent the accidental spread of contagious animal diseases outside the laboratory, employees working in BSL-3, BSL-3 Ag, or BSL-4 spaces must adhere to a strict 5-day personal quarantine. After exiting biocontainment, you cannot have contact with susceptible animals—including cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and deer—or visit their premises. Restricted animals may not reside on the employee's personal property where quarantine cannot be enforced.
Salary Overview & Grade Comparison
The position is offered at the GS-11 grade level, with a salary range of $74,678 to $97,087 per year, paid on an interval scale. Starting salary depends on qualifications, federal service history, and qualifications review.
To help understand how this specialized high-containment role compares to conventional animal care paths, review the comparison below:
| Operational Factor | Standard Veterinary/Lab Animal Tech | High-Containment Supervisory Technician (GS-11) |
|---|---|---|
| Biosafety Level (BSL) | BSL-1 or BSL-2 (Standard research) | BSL-3, BSL-3 Ag, and BSL-4 (High-consequence pathogens) |
| Primary Duties | Routine animal care, husbandry | Supervisory oversight, clinical sample collection, protocol adaptation |
| Quarantine Rules | None | Mandatory 5-day personal quarantine from susceptible livestock |
| Physical Demands | Light to moderate lifting (20-50 lbs) | Heavy lifting (75-100 lbs), carcass transfer up to 300 lbs |
| Security Clearance | Not typically required | Secret Security Clearance & Select Agent (SRA) approval |
Benefits
In addition to a competitive salary, the federal government offers a robust benefits package designed to support career development, health, and retirement planning:
- Flexible Work Schedules: Eligibility for alternative work schedules and telework options (up to 4 days per week depending on operational needs).
- Incentives: Potential recruitment or relocation incentives for eligible candidates.
- Health & Wellness: Multiple health, dental, and vision insurance options, plus access to flexible spending accounts and federal long-term care plans.
- Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching contributions.
- Work-Life Balance: Generous annual leave and sick leave accrual, alongside 12 paid federal holidays annually.
Application Tips
Applying for a federal position requires careful planning and compliance with specific guidelines. Use these targeted tips to improve your application:
- Observe the Two-Page Resume Limit: This is a hard agency constraint. If your resume exceeds two pages, you will be disqualified from consideration. Condense your history to focus on leadership, laboratory coordination, and compliance.
- Align with the Assessment Questionnaire: Read the online questionnaire preview before writing your resume. Ensure your professional experiences explicitly support your answers to the questionnaire.
- Detail Your Hours: When listing past employment, include your exact title, series/grade (if applicable), dates of employment, and weekly hours worked. This detail is required to calculate qualifying experience.
- Verify Your Uploads: Ensure all files are under 5MB and saved in common formats like PDF or Word. Avoid uploading Adobe Portfolio documents, as they are unreadable by federal review software.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the exact location of the NBAF facility?
A: The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility is located in Manhattan, Kansas, a vibrant university community known for agricultural research and development.
Q: What happens if I decline a mandatory vaccination?
A: Vaccines that are FDA-approved for safety and effectiveness may be required for employment. For investigational vaccines, immunization is voluntary, but declining employees must sign a declination form and assume the associated operational risks.
Q: Can I apply if I am not a current federal employee?
A: Yes. This position is open to various hiring paths, including career transition (CTAP/ICTAP), competitive service, individuals with disabilities, military spouses, peace corps volunteers, and veterans.
Q: Will I need to undergo drug screening?
A: Yes. Because this is a Testing Designated Position (TDP), selected candidates must complete a pre-employment drug screening and are subject to random testing throughout their employment.
The Supervisory Biological Science Technician role at the USDA NBAF is more than a standard career option; it is an active contribution to national security and global health. Leading a specialized containment team allows you to apply your technical veterinary and leadership skills toward protecting food supplies and preventing pandemics. If you meet the qualifications, can manage physical demands, and are ready to uphold strict biosafety standards, apply before the September 8, 2026 deadline.
Why This Supervisory Biological Science Technician (Animal/High Containment) Job Matters
Lead critical animal care operations at the nation's premier bio-defense facility. Steer cutting-edge research support and make a global impact on agricultural safety.
Supervisory Biological Science Technician (Animal/High Containment) Job Overview
The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is seeking a Supervisory Biological Science Technician (Animal/High Containment) to join the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. In this pivotal GS-11 role, you will lead a dedicated team in managing animal care programs, implementing complex scientific protocols, and ensuring strict biosafety and decontamination compliance within high-containment (BSL-3/BSL-4) environments. This position is ideal for experienced veterinary leaders with a deep commitment to national biosafety and agricultural security.
Requirements for Supervisory Biological Science Technician (Animal/High Containment)
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Must meet the time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level (GS-10) for federal applicants.
- One year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-10 grade level in a veterinary or laboratory setting, including coordinating staff, providing technical training, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Alternatively, candidates may qualify with a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Agricultural Science, Veterinary Science, Animal Science, Biology, or a related field, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
- Ability to perform heavy physical labor, including lifting up to 75 pounds regularly (occasionally up to 100 pounds) and moving animal carcasses weighing up to 300 pounds with mechanical assistance.
- Must pass a pre-employment medical examination and periodic fitness-for-duty physicals.
- Adherence to strict biocontainment rules, including showering out of facilities daily, removing all piercings/external medical devices, and passing respirator fit tests (which restricts facial hair).
- Compliance with a mandatory 5-day personal quarantine from specific susceptible livestock species (such as cattle, sheep, swine, goats, and deer) and their premises after leaving biocontainment.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance and pass an SRA (Select Agent) background investigation.
- Must pass a pre-employment drug screening and participate in random drug testing as part of a Testing Designated Position (TDP).
Preferred Qualifications for Supervisory Biological Science Technician (Animal/High Containment)
- Active certification as a Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) or higher by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS).
- Proven experience supervising technical personnel and organizing operational workflows in a research or veterinary facility.
- Demonstrated expertise in maintaining detailed clinical records, managing laboratory equipment, and administering specialized animal treatments.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- âś“Competitive federal salary within the GS-11 pay scale.
- âś“Potential for recruitment or relocation incentives for highly qualified candidates.
- âś“Flexible work schedules and telework eligibility (up to 4 days per week depending on agency policy and duties).
- âś“Comprehensive federal health benefits, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term care programs.
- âś“Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with agency matching.
- âś“Generous paid annual leave, sick leave, and 12 paid federal holidays.
đź’ˇ How to Apply Supervisory Biological Science Technician (Animal/High Containment) Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Supervisory Biological Science Technician (Animal/High Containment) Job
- 1. Review the full job announcement on the USAJobs portal to verify eligibility and required pathways.
- 2. Prepare a detailed federal resume, making sure it does not exceed the strict two-page limit.
- 3. Ensure your resume explicitly outlines your specialized veterinary, administrative, and supervisory experience, including weekly hours worked.
- 4. Preview the USA Staffing online assessment questionnaire using the provided preview link.
- 5. Click 'Apply' on the USAJobs listing, upload your resume, and complete the assessment questionnaire.
- 6. Submit all required supporting documents, including SF-50s (for federal employees), DD-214s (for veterans), or transcripts (if qualifying via education).
- 7. Confirm that your complete application is submitted before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date of September 8, 2026.
đź’ˇ General Tips
- Strictly adhere to the two-page resume limit. Any candidate who submits a resume longer than two pages will be automatically disqualified from consideration.
- Be precise when matching your resume's experience to the specialized qualifications. Clearly describe your past leadership roles, technical training delivery, and safety compliance coordination.
- Ensure all uploaded documents are under 5MB in size and saved in non-portfolio formats like PDF, DOCX, or TXT.
- Do not submit encrypted or password-protected files, as the agency's hiring systems cannot process them, which may result in disqualification.
- If claiming veterans' preference, double-check that your DD-214 or SF-15 contains all necessary discharge dates and entitlement verifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is this job located?
This position is permanently based at the state-of-the-art National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas.
Are there mandatory personal quarantine requirements for this role?
Yes. To prevent the transmission of high-consequence diseases, all personnel entering high-biocontainment spaces must refrain from contact with specific susceptible animals (such as cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and deer) and their premises for five (5) days after leaving the facility.
Is AALAS certification mandatory for this position?
No, but certification as a Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science is highly desirable and strongly preferred.
What are the primary physical requirements?
The role requires daily heavy physical exertion, including standing for extended periods, bending, walking, lifting 75 to 100 pounds, and moving animal carcasses up to 300 pounds using specialized mechanical equipment.
Can I telework in this position?
Yes, this position is eligible for flexible work arrangements, including telework up to four days per week, depending on operational demands and agency policy.