Director, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases (DFWED)

Summary

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Duties

As The Director, The Incumbent Will

• Provide scientific and executive leadership to domestic and global programs that focus on the prevention and outbreak investigation of foodborne diseases such as salmonellosis, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection, listeriosis and campylobacteriosis; waterborne diseases such as cholera, cryptococcosis, giardiasis and amebiasis, and fungal infections such as aspergillosis, coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis and candidiasis, including a focus on antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.
• Direct and manage the day-to-day operations of the program including policy formulation and interpretation, determination of goals and objectives, evaluation and interpretation of performance indicators, trends, needs, and impact of activities.
• Support innovation and remain up to date on relevant technological advances, including next generation sequencing technologies, ensuring the scientific soundness and technical feasibility of new or improved technologies for the diagnosis, surveillance, prevention, research, and control of diseases caused by foodborne, waterborne and fungal pathogens.
• Provide leadership and expertise in the development and execution of research projects and measures the outcome of research activities through studies that evaluate the effectiveness of program initiatives in meeting the needs of the agency, including improving health equity. Provide advice to the Director, NCEZID; Director, CDC; and other senior CDC management officials on problems that require in-depth knowledge and experience in the scientific, epidemiological, and public health aspects of foodborne, waterborne, and fungal diseases.
• Collaborate with and communicate internally and externally to local, state, federal and international organizations, academic institutions, as well as the private sector. Establish systems and strategies for research translation and dissemination of information to influence public policy and public health practice.
• Represent DFWED, NCEZID and CDC at meetings, presentations, and hearings, including with FDA, HHS, USDA and other government agencies, OMB and Congress.
• Exercise leadership to ensure that all programs under their direction reflect the principles of work force diversity in their management and operation in such areas as recruitment and staffing, employee development, staff assignments, and communications. Adhere to non-discriminatory employee practices regarding race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age and disability.
  
  

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Background and/or Security Investigation required.
• 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

Current federal employees must be at or equivalent to the GS-14 or higher grade level 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.

Candidates Must Show Clear Evidence Of Specialized Experience.

Specialized experience is that which is directly related to the position and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of the position, such as senior public health leadership as it relates to epidemiologic research, public health surveillance, and laboratory science, including program design, execution and evaluation.

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.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that:

• the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs
• such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program, or that full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
  
  

For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications .

Additional Information

Positions may be available in multiple locations across the United States, or eligible for telework and remote work opportunities, based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Workplace Flexibilities Policy.

The executive level compensation package is commensurate with qualifications and experience and may result in a higher salary than reflected above. This position is located in the National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, inAtlanta, GA.

This position is also being announced under vacancy announcement number HHS-CDC-RF-24-12413733. Applicants must apply to both vacancy announcements to receive consideration for both occupational series. Please carefully read the qualifications requirements in both vacancy announcements.

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

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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 .

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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.

Conditions Of Employment

• Security and Background Requirements: If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. If hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection, or appropriate disciplinary action.
• E-Verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires, and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify participant.
• 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.
• A 2- year trial period may be required.
• Travel, transportation, and moving expenses may be paid.
• Bargaining Unit Position: No
• Drug Screening Required: Yes
• Recruitment incentive may be authorized: Yes
  
  

10. Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk Background Investigation is required.