Veterinary Medical Officer

You must apply for this position through USAJobs: 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: Identify problems, make recommendations, and create solutions by developing new tests as required for the successful execution of disease control programs. Pathogen isolation, identification, and characterization by collecting and interpreting relevant observational data. Communicate with external customers regarding sampling and test results. Conduct and participate in training schools and seminars by presenting lectures and demonstrations. Assist in maintaining quality control of tests performed at NVSL and other approved locations in accordance with ISO 17025 standards. Collaborate and consult with various staff and personnel to analyze problems, recommend technology‑based solutions, and develop strategies for diagnostic assays. Conditions of Employment 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. Refer to the next steps section for more information. Direct Deposit is required by federal law. Successfully pass the E‑Verify employment verification check. Archive of a urinalysis is required prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use. A valid state driver's license is required at the time of application. All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting. 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 Applicants must meet the Basic Requirement outlined in the Education section below.

FOR THE GS‑12 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: Leading, designing, and troubleshooting the interpretation, development, and assessment of immunologic or diagnostic assays. Leading design and implementation of in vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate efficacy of biological countermeasures. Analyzing and synthesizing scientific data from in vitro and in vivo studies for the purposes of peer‑reviewed publication and standard operating procedure development. OR 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. OR Residency/Post‑Graduate Training Program for the GS‑12 grade level: 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. TRANSCRIPTS are required. 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. 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. Education BASIC REQUIREMENT: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), obtained at a school or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA). OR Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools that are not accredited by the AVMA Council on Education must meet one of the following requirements: Proof of certification of their final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG). Possession of a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States that includes successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) or its predecessors, the National Board Examination (NBE) and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT). Proof that the education obtained in a foreign veterinary medical program is equivalent to that gained in a veterinary medical program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. In addition, graduates of foreign veterinary medical programs must also provide proof of proficiency in the English language by successfully completing one of the nationally and internationally recognized examinations (TOEFL, IELTS, CAEL). Required minimum scores are provided within the original announcement. Job Environment The work is performed in laboratory environments and animal facilities. The position involves standing, sitting, moving about the laboratory, carrying equipment, and reaching into incubators, freezers, and centrifuges, and lifting objects up to 40 pounds. Laboratory work is performed while seated in front of a Class II biological safety cabinet under fluorescent lighting and in areas of positive air flow. Considerable manual dexterity is required to perform diagnostic procedures, utilize specific equipment, and conduct laboratory animal work. Vaccinations may be required. Physical exertion is required to restrain animals, administer inoculations and therapy, perform clinical tests, euthanasia, necropsies, and collect tissue specimens. There may be exposure to highly infectious and contagious pathogens (Class 3 agents), some of which may be foreign to the United States, as well as dangerous chemical and physical agents. Workers must use personal protective equipment including gloves, protective eyewear, face shields, and lab smocks, and must apply strict agent safety regulations against contact with certain species outside the laboratory. Noise levels may be high due to laboratory equipment such as centrifuges and freezers operating continuously. Immunization against certain bacterial or viral diseases is required where approved by the FDA. The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biological and serological testing procedures and physical examinations. #J-18808-Ljbffr Aavld