Veterinary Medical Officer

As a Veterinary Medical Officer, you will work for Animal Care's Animal Welfare Operations with geographic responsibility for the compliance and enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act and the Horse Protection Act.

Applications will be accepted from individuals who expect to complete all requirements for their DVM degree or dual DVM/master's degree program by December 31, 2024.

Duties

• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Schedules and completes all pre-licensing inspections, routine periodic inspections, deficiency follow-up inspections, and special investigations needed in response to leads received on violations.
• Provides a broad professional assessment of the overall treatment of animals at inspected facilities, consistent with the spirit of the Animal Welfare Act.
• Evaluates the qualifications of research facility professionals to assure that they have the experience to deal with the management and care of animals located in their facility.
• Assures that unnecessary pain and distress in research animals is prevented by the proper use of anesthetics, analgesics, tranquilizers, and euthanasia.
• Reviews structural and living conditions of research facilities, and reminds facility officials of their authority and responsibilities.
• Enforces the Horse Protection Act, following uniform procedures when inspecting horse shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions.
• Evaluates the Animal Care and Horse Protection programs to determine their effectiveness, and advise management, in the form of veterinary medical or program procedural modifications.
• Represents the Agency at meetings of industry and other concerned public and private groups and individuals to promote the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection programs.
• Provides technical guidance on inspection related matters such as veterinary care, husbandry, and handling to Animal Care Inspectors.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male 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.
• Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• 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.
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting.
• Selectee is required to successfully participate in and clear the medical surveillance program annually.
• Selectee will be required to establish and maintain a home office with reliable internet connectivity, and regularly travel to mission sites using a Government-Owned Vehicle.
• Selectee must be able to provide for and establish a suitable, virtual home office.

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.

All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement outlined in the Education section below.

Applications will be accepted from individuals who expect to complete all requirements for their DVM degree or dual DVM/master's degree program by December 31, 2024.

Applicants who meet the basic requirements as outlined in the "Education" section qualify for this grade level.

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Experience applying professional knowledge of veterinary arts and sciences as they pertain to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), humane handling, husbandry, care, maintenance, transportation, housing, and showing of animals used for purposes of research, exhibition, or as pets.
• Experience serving as liaison between regulatory organization/agency/program and the general public at meetings of industry or other concerned public private groups and individuals to promote Animal Welfare.
• Experience planning, organizing, directing team activity, and negotiating effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations.
• Experience developing detailed written reports in accordance with Animal Care Inspection or other prescribed guidelines.

Successful completion of a Master's degree in an area of specialization including, but not limited to: animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or other sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.

Successful completion of two years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting the completion of this program.

This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college or university.

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.