Department: Department of Agriculture
Agency: Food Safety and Inspection Service
Announcement: FSIS-26-MCE-13061757-MJM
Pay grade: GS 5-11
Closes: Sep 18, 2026
Open to: Open to the public, Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

• Performs microbial analyses on a variety of samples of meat, poultry and egg products.
• Performs microbial examinations of meat or poultry products and their ingredients to determine presence, numbers, and species of bacteria, Salmonella, Listeria, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Campylobacter.
• Prepares and maintains reagents.
• Performs lot acceptance on commercially acquired test kits and reagents.
• Operates and maintains a variety of analytical instruments.
• Maintains quality control on instrumentation necessary to perform assigned analyses.
• Maintains quality assurance records to serve as documentation for ISO 17025 accreditation, the Microbiological Laboratory Guidebook, and the Quality Assurance Plan of the laboratory.
• Interprets and evaluates the results of the analyses according to FSIS and OPHS laboratory policy.
• Develops and writes laboratory and section work instructions, spreadsheets, and forms for adoption into the laboratory quality system.
• Accurately reflects work performed daily by recording on prescribed documents and within the electronic Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Maintains quality assurance records in such a manner that they serve as documentation for ISO criteria for the USDA Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook and the Quality Assurance Plan of the Laboratory Guidebook.
• Presents findings in a transparent and accurate manner.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
• If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below:

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Microbiologist (0403):This position has an individual occupational requirement that must be met in order to qualify for the position.

Individual Occupational Requirements, IOR

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 and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Additional information regarding Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) can be found here under 4f. Educational and Training Provisions or
Requirements.

Qualifications: Applicants can qualify for the different grades based on specialized experience, education or a combination of specialized experience and education as outlined below.

To qualify at the GS-5: Fully meet the basic education requirements described in the individual occupational requirements (IOR).

To qualify at the GS-7: An applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade or its equivalent OR one year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement. To qualify based on specialized experience at the GS-7 grade, an applicant's experience must have met the following:

• Performing microbiological analyses with guidance in a laboratory setting.
• Reviewing microbiological data and preparing reports or documentation with guidance.
• Assisting in quality assurance or quality control activities under supervision.

To qualify at the GS-9 grade: An applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7 grade or its equivalent OR two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. To qualify based on specialized experience at the GS-9 grade, an applicant's experience must have met the following:

• Independently working with microbiological samples, media, or assays in a laboratory setting.
• Independently performing electronic record keeping, preparing detailed reports on microbiological analyses and making preliminary evaluations.
• Implementing quality assurance or quality control procedures, performing equipment maintenance, and troubleshooting basic issues.

To qualify at the GS-11 grade: An applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade or its equivalent OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. To qualify based on specialized experience at the GS-11 grade, an applicant's experience must have met the following:

• Independently performing high-throughput microbiological analyses on a variety of matrices and interpreting results in a regulatory or research laboratory setting.
• Independently performing electronic record keeping, preparing advanced reports and presenting findings to internal or external stakeholders.
• Implementing quality assurance or quality control procedures, performing equipment maintenance, and providing training to junior staff.

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.