Food and Drug Administration Logo
Position Title
Animal Facilities Specialist
Agency
Food and Drug Administration
Announcement Number
FDA-NCTR-20-MP-10685144PW Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 to Monday, January 20, 2020
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Do you wish to be considered under a CTAP (Career Transition Assistance Plan) eligibility?
You may qualify for CTAP eligibility if all of the statements apply to you:
  • You are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy.
  • You have been (or will be) involuntarily separated from the agency advertising this position, due to a reduction-in-force.
  • You are applying to a position that is at (or below) the grade level of the position separated from.
  • You are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position separated from.
  • Your last performance rating of record is at least "fully successful" or equivalent.
For more information about CTAP, please see the Career Transition Assistance site on USAJOBS.

To verify your eligibility for CTAP:
You must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must also submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest SF-50: Notification of Personnel Action showing position, tenure code, grade & step, and full name/DOB/SSN.
(limit characters)
3. Do you wish to be considered under the Schedule A eligibility for people with disabilities?
You may qualify for this eligibility if you have a severe physical, psychiatric, or intellectual disability, that limits one (or more) of your life functions, and qualifies based on Schedule A provisions. You can read more about Schedule A on the USAJOBS website. Learn more about this eligibility on the Individuals with Disabilities page on USAJOBS...

To verify your eligibility:
You must provide appropriate medical documentation, such as a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition, fitness to work, and any related work restrictions. This documentation must be provided with your application. You will not be able to provide this documentation once the vacancy announcement closes. 
(limit characters)
4. Do you wish to be considered under the ICTAP (Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan) eligibility?
You may qualify for ICTAP if all of the following statements apply to you:
  • You are located in the same local commuting area of the position being advertised.
  • You were (or will be) separated from a position at an agency outside of the FDA due to a reduction-in-force.
  • You are applying to a position that is at (or below) the grade level of the position from which you have been (or will be) separated.
  • You are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you have been (or will be) separated.
  • Your last performance rating of record is at least "fully successful" or equivalent.
For more information about ICTAP, please review the Career Transition Assistance site on USAJOBS.

To verify your eligibility for ICTAP:
You must submit a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must also submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest SF-50: Notification of Personnel Action, showing the agency, position held, tenure and appointment codes, and full biographical information (name, DOB, and SSN).
(limit characters)
5. Do you wish to be considered under an Interchange Agreement eligibility?
If you are a current Excepted Service employee of an agency with a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management you may quality for this eligibility type.
  • Postal Career Service Employees
  • Postal Rate Commission Employees
  • Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employees
  • Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employees
To learn more, see the Interchange Agreements page on USAJOBS...

To verify your eligibility:
You must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50: Notification of Personnel Action reflecting your employment status, appointment type, tenure, position information, and full biographic data.
(limit characters)
6. Are you an employee of a Land Management Agency or a Defense Base Facilities Management Agency?
The Land Management Flexibilities Act allows certain land and base management employees to compete with other status candidates for positions advertised via Merit Promotion.
You may qualify under the Land Management eligibility type if you are a current (or former) employee of a land management or base management agency, and all of the statements below apply to you:
  • You were originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment.
  • You served one (or more) time-limited appointments at a land management agency, for a period totaling more than 24 months, without a break in service of two or more years.
  • You performed at an "acceptable" level of service during each period of service.
  • You are no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for not more than two years, and departed the position in good standing.
To claim this eligibility you must have been employed by one of the following agencies:
Department of Agriculture: Forest Service
Department of Interior: Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Bureau of Reclamation.
Department of Defense, Defense Industrial Base Facility or Defense Major Range & Test Facilities Base


To verify your eligibility:
You must provide a copy of your latest SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action and performance appraisal that demonstrate you meet the requirements outlined in the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
(limit characters)
7. Are you applying based on a National Service Organization eligibility?
You may be eligible if you have at least two years of service with the Peace Corps or one year of service with AmeriCorps VISTA.
Your non-competitive eligibility lasts for one year after completing your Peace Corps or AmeriCorps service. Federal agencies may extend the period for up to three years if, after your completed service, you are:
  • In the military service.
  • Studying at a recognized institution of higher learning.
  • Involved in another activity, which in the agency's view, warrants an extension.
Your non-competitive eligibility does not entitle you to a job within the federal government. You must still apply and meet qualification standards and additional requirements, such as a background investigation.
Learn more about hiring options for Peace Corps and AmeriCorps Vista alumni.

To verify your eligibility:
You must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility.
If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
(limit characters)
8. HHS Public Health Service Officers
Are you a current Commissioned Officer within the Public Health Service and stationed at a position at a Federal agency or department?
If so, you may qualify for non-competitive re-assignment to this position. Current PHS Commissioned Officers can be non-competitively appointed to an open position within HHS, if you are found qualified and if the Hiring Manager agrees to the appointment. You will be required to provide a copy of your most recent orders at the time of application.
(limit characters)
9. Do you claim eligibility based on any other special authorities?
You may be eligible under a special authority if you are a:
  • Former employee of the Canal Zone Merit System or Panama Canal Employment System.
  • Former employee who served in the Office of the President or Vice-President or on the White House Staff.
  • Former incumbent of a position brought into the competitive service.
  • Disabled veteran who has completed a training course under Chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code.
  • Former ACTION volunteer.
  • Current or former Foreign Service officer or employee.
  • Former employee of the Panama Canal Commission located in the United States.

There are specific eligibility requirements for each of these special hiring authorities.  
See USAJOBS - Special Authorities for more information...

(limit characters)
10. Do you wish to be considered for competitive reassignment or transfer as a current Federal employee?
You may qualify for this eligibility if you are currently employed by the government and all of the following statements apply to you:
  • You are currently employed by a Federal agency other than the Food & Drug Administration.
  • You are a civilian in the civil service (non-military).
  • You are on a career or career-conditional appointment.
  • Your appointment is in the Competitive Service.
  • You have never held the grade or full performance level of the position being advertised.
To verify your eligibility for transfer or reassignment:
You will need to submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action, reflecting your permanent appointment in the competitive service. 
Your documentation should reflect:
  • Career or Career-Conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
  • Status in the Competitive Service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
11. Do you wish to be considered under an eligibility for transfer or reassignment on a non-competitive basis?
You may qualify for this eligibility if you are currently employed by the government and all of the following statements apply to you:
  • You are currently employed by a Federal agency other than the Food & Drug Administration.
  • You are a civilian in the civil service (non-military).
  • Your have obtained career or career-conditional status.
  • You are on a permanent appointment is in the Competitive Service.
  • You have held the full performance level of the position being advertised (on a permanent basis).
To verify your eligibility as a non-competitive government transfer or reassignment:
You will need to submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action, reflecting your permanent appointment in the competitive service. 
Your documentation should reflect:
  • Career or Career-Conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
  • Status in the Competitive Service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
12. VETERANS PREFERENCE INFORMATION
The vacancy you are applying to is being advertised under Delegated Examining (Category Rating) procedures, in accordance with Title 5 of the US Code.  Veterans and certain military spouses are able to receive a preference eligibility based on prior military service, disability, or survivorship. You can read more about each eligibility option by clicking the links below.  If you answer "yes" to this question, you are indicating that you have read and understand the supporting documentation requirements, and that you will provide these supporting documents in your application.  Missing or inaccurate supporting documents may result in your preference claim being adjudicated as ineligible. It's very important that you make the correct selection and provide the required information and documentation for us to verify any claim you submit. 

There are three types of Veterans Preference:
  1. 10-point preference for Vets with a service-connected disability rating of 30% (or more)
  2. 5-point preference for Vets with qualifying service (determined by length of service, campaigns, or awards)
  3. 0-point sole survivor preference for certain spouses of a disabled or deceased veteran
For positions advertised under a category rating system, preference eligible applicants who have a compensable service-connected disability (group 1) are placed at the top of the highest category on the referral list (except for scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). Non-disabled preference eligibles (group 2) are placed above non-preference eligibles within their assigned category. Spouses claiming a sole survivorship are eligible to apply to merit promotion vacancies along with other "status candidates", but otherwise do not receive additional preference.

For positions advertised under the government-wide merit promotion procedure, preference eligible veterans and qualifying spouses are entitled to apply to the position, but will otherwise receive no additional preference or special placement. Veterans preference allows candidates to be considered for these government-wide advertisements that would otherwise have been restricted to current federal employees.

See the FedsHireVets Job Seekers page for more information on how preference is applied, how to claim a preference, and what documentation you may need to supply.
You can also check out the USAJOBS Veterans site as well.


Having reviewed this information, do you intend to claim any kind of spousal or veterans preference in your application to this announcement?
(limit characters)
13. Are you a Veteran eligible under the Veteran's Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA)?
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998, as amended (VEOA) is a competitive service appointing authority that can only be used when filling permanent, competitive service positions. It cannot be used to fill excepted service positions. It allows veterans to apply to announcements that are only open to so called "status" candidates, which means "current competitive service employees." Current or former Federal employees meeting VEOA eligibility can apply. However, current employees applying under VEOA are subject to time-in- grade restrictions like any other General Schedule (GS) employee. You can read more about VEOA by clicking this link (opens the FedsHireVets website in a new window).

To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, your latest discharge must be issued under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge), AND you must be either:
  • a preference eligible (defined in title 5 U.S.C. 2108(3)), OR
  • a veteran who substantially completed 3 or more years of active service.
TO VERIFY YOUR ELIGIBILITY:
You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The Member #4 Copy of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is preferred. If you are additionally claiming a 10-pt preference, you should also submit your VA Letter and SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference). 
(limit characters)
14. Are you claiming eligibility as a Compensable Disabled Veteran?
You may qualify for this eligibility if you are a veteran, who served at any time, and either of the following statements apply to you: NOTE: Your release, discharge, or retirement from the Armed Forces must be under honorable or general conditions.

To verify your eligibility:
You must submit a copy of your latest DD-214: Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, (Member #4 copy, indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.
You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the SF:15: Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference.

For more information, please see the FedsHireVets 30% Disabled page...
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. In the last five years, based on the closing date of this announcement, have you served or are you currently serving as an Executive Branch political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointee?
You can find out if you have held one of these appointment types by looking at your Standard Form 50s in your Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF), in Section 5 where the legal authorities are listed.
  • A political appointee is an appointment made by the President without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an assistant position to a top-level federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)).
  • A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director of OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties (5 CFR 213.3301 and 5 CFR 213.3302).
  • A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations (5 CFR 317 Subpart F).
(limit characters)
2.

===== Acknowledgement of Restrictions on the Employment of Relatives by Public Officials =====
5 U.S. Code, § 3110 lays out specific and important restrictions on the employment of relatives within an agency.
A public official of a government agency may not appoint, promote, or otherwise advocate for the employment, advancement, or promotion of relatives within the agency for which the public official is employed or has control over.
Employees hired in violation of 5 U.S. Code, § 3110 will not be entitled to any pay for their period of employment, and any pay already received before the violation becomes known, will be considered as a debt to the government on the part of the employed individual.

For the purpose of this question, a "relative" is defined as: father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half sister.

QUESTION:
After having read the definition of "relative" as stated above, does the Food and Drug Administration employ any of your relatives?

IF YES: You must provide the following information, for each relative employed by the FDA:

  1. The full legal name of the relative.
  2. The relative's relationship to you (from the list above).
  3. If known, the relative's employing organization and position.
IF NO: Please type "No" in the box below.
(limit 750 characters)
3. Your responses to the all questions, and any information or documentation which you provide as part of your application, will be thoroughly reviewed for accuracy and truthfulness. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. If you fail to answer this question, your application will not be considered. Knowingly providing false information in your application (or submitted documentation) is a crime!
  1. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in my application is true, correct, and provided in good faith.
  2. I understand that if I intentionally make a false statement, or commit deception or fraud in my application, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 USC, Sec 1001); my eligibility may be canceled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 CFR, Part 731).
  3. I understand that any information I provide may be investigated.
  4. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
Do you accept the conditions above?
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. Select the response below that best describes your experience in relation to the qualifications for the ANIMAL FACILITIES SPECIALIST GS-1601-12 level. (limit characters)
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below. (limit characters)
2. Plan and coordinate facilities operations and services relating to the animal care program. (limit characters)
3. Follow guidelines, polices, procedures and facilitates compliance to ensure a compliant animal use program. (limit characters)
4. Analyze and evaluate organizational polices and procedures relating to animal husbandry and protocol requirements. (limit characters)
5. Determine facility, grounds and/or equipment overhaul, maintenance, restoration or repair needs. (limit characters)
6. Review protocols to determine animal program resources needed. (limit characters)
7. Plan and allocate animal room use. (limit characters)
8. Schedule animal movements in and out of facilities. (limit characters)
9. Determine specific steps to be taken in housing, breeding and maintaining of animals in a biomedical research environment. (limit characters)
10. Develops internal review studies. (limit characters)
11. Performs and documents inspections of animal facilities to ensure compliance. (limit characters)
12. Develop reports of findings of inspections. (limit characters)
13. Prepares documents to include requisitions for services, equipment and materials and/or supplies. (limit characters)
14. Participates in various work groups or discussions developing enhancements to the animal care programs, animal use tracking,animal movement, animal number
and inventory.
(limit characters)
15. Provide guidance to research staff regarding issues that can or might impact animal health or the quality of the research data
obtained from animals.
(limit characters)
16. Advise management of any problems within inspections and provides recommendations. (limit characters)
17. Serve as the liaison establishing and maintaining working relationships. (limit characters)