Microbiologist

Overview:
Avosys is a growing integrator of professional, technological and management solutions services. Founded in 1998, Avosys provides services nationwide to Federal, Commercial, Local and State clients. We recognize the foundation of our firm is our people and we continue to rise above our competition by hiring the best.Maximize family time with no weekend, Holiday, or on-call requirementsMaintain work-life balance with guaranteed 8-hour shiftsTake advantage of our competitive, comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, short-term disability, long-term disability & 401(k)

Responsibilities:
The laboratory may receive 1-20 food samples from installations worldwide annually. Within one business day of receipt and login of one of these samples the employee shall perform microbiological tests utilizing laboratory equipment.Tests will be conducted to ISO17025 and Laboratory standards and procedures to identify any and all microbiological contaminants within food sample.Shall perform required Laboratory Manager tasks as required by ISO17025 accreditation Quality Management System (QMS).Contractor shall identify any food safety threats in food samples.Test results will be documented and communicated to the samples originating organization within three business days of sample receipt. Results will be shared within the Epidemiology Consult Service Division to ensure originating installation is aware of other steps necessary for foodborne illness (FBI) outbreak investigation.Employee will train personnel on food safety topics.Shall complete and document the following microbiological laboratory tests and tasks as specified below; accurately and safely follow Biosurety operating procedures:Daily tasks:Coordinate shipping/receiving with Logistics; document in receiving logbook.Arrange for equipment calibration, facilities maintenance, and Bioenvironmental engineering and IT service requests as needed; document as needed.Perform daily environmental monitoring and equipment checks per ISO17025 accrediation.Document laboratory activities in Laboratory notebook.Weekly tasks:Document preventive maintenance in PM logbook when necessary.Dispose of Waste/Biohazards: no documentation required.Monthly tasks:Maintain Chemical, Hazardous Material, Supply inventories in accordance with all applicable biosafety requirements; maintain electronic documents.Perform equipment calibration and document as necessary.Annual tasks:Document Annual Summary of projects, consultations, research in electronic format.Develop poster/journal article from years activity.Complete assays of Commercially Available, Off The Shelf (COTS) Real-Time as required and document in appropriate laboratory notebook:In-house procedures (as needed; document in appropriate laboratory notebook):qRT-PCR Pathogen panelNucleic Acid (NA) isolation, amplification, electrophoresisFoodborne illness / outbreak responsePathogen growth and isolationConsultation Tasks (as needed, document in appropriate laboratory notebook):Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) document reviewOutbreak response guidance and trainingDocument ISO17025 audits, management reviews, customer complaints, non-conforming work as necessaryShall complete and sustain all training required by laboratory safety procedures.Shall review established FORT Laboratory testing processes and procedures to identify possible refinements to improve these processes and procedures. Upon identification of possible refinement/improvement to an established laboratory testing process or procedure, the contractor shall document and submit these findings to the FORT Laboratory Director.Shall conduct research in the area of commercial off-the-shelf food microbiology technologies to determine suitability for use in the USAFSAM FORT laboratory. Upon identification of a suitable commercial off-the-shelf food microbiology technology for possible use, the contractor shall forward these findings to the FORT Laboratory Director.Shall provide an annual summary report of all findings to the FORT Laboratory Director. (CDRL- A007, Technical Reports)The Laboratory receives an average of 10 requests annually for collaboration on food protection, food safety, and foodborne illness from many domestic, international civilian, and other government entities. In response to these request, the contractor shall:Support collaboration in the arena of food protection with the requesting entity and document any and all determinations in writing to the FORT Laboratory Director as these collaborations requests occur.Provide a summary report of all food protection collaborations to the FORT Laboratory Director annually. (CDRL- A007, Technical Reports)Shall meet the requirements of the Institutional Review Boards (IRB) and fulfill the requirements of the Privacy Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).Shall complete all training and responsibilities as required by customer when required

Qualifications:
Mandatory Qualifications:Candidate(s) shall have a Bachelors Degree in Microbiology, Biology, Biochemistry or a closely related field as approved by USAFSAM/PHR.Candidate shall have a minimum of 4 years recent experience working in a microbiology laboratory.The qualifications, both education and experience of the candidate(s) microbiologist(s) must be evident in their resumes. Must have a Non-Disclosure Agreement in place with their company, and the company must provide a copy to the Program Manager of this task order. This is necessary in order to mitigate transfer of any confidential, proprietary and/or sensitive information while in this position.Highly Desired Qualifications:Although prior food microbiology and ISO17025 accreditation experience is not mandatory, both will be viewed as a strength during proposal evaluation.