This position serves as the Veterinary Medical Officer in the Office of Research and Development of the VA Iowa City Health Care System (VAICHCS). The incumbent will provide medical and administrative support to the Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) and have a good working relationship with Investigators and the Veterinary staff at the University of Iowa.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/03/2025. You may qualify based on your Education/Experience/Combination as described below. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing our qualifications on education. Basic Requirements: Applicants must meet the following requirements: EDUCATION: Possess a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), obtained at a college or school of veterinary medicine accredited by the AVMA Council on Education; OR Graduate from a foreign veterinary medical school not accredited by the AVMA Council on Education possessing one of the following: Proof of certification of final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG); OR Current, 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); OR 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 AVMA Council on Education. Under this provision, equivalency is established only if an AVMA-accredited veterinary medical school or college accepts the graduate's final transcript from the foreign veterinary medical school at full value for placement into an advanced degree, postgraduate educational program or training program (e.g., residency or graduate program); AND 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 that incorporate assessments of reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Examples of examinations that assess mastery of the English language include: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Minimum scores for the TOEFL are 560 for the paper-based version; 220 for the computer-based version; or overall score of 83 for the internet-based version (including 26 or higher in speaking, 26 or higher in listening, and 17 or higher in writing). For the computer-based and paper-based test versions, applicants must also complete the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and the Test of Written English (TWE). Minimum required scores are 55 for the TSE and 5.5 for the TWE; or Academic tests (listening, writing and speaking) offered by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 7.0, with at least 7.0 in speaking, 6.5 in listening, and 6.0 in writing; or Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 70, with at least 60 in speaking, 60 in listening, and 50 in writing. LICENSURE: Applicants must possess a current, 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 NAVLE or its predecessors, the NBE and the CCT. An employee who enters this occupation with the basic requirement for licensure, but fails to maintain licensure must be immediately removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee who fails to maintain licensure may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. GS-14 GRADE LEVEL REQUIREMENTS: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must meet the grade level requirements for the position for which they wish to be considered. Applicants may qualify for each grade level through the attainment of specialized experience, residency or post-graduate training, or board certification as indicated below: Specialized Experience: Specialized experience must demonstrate the ability of the applicant to independently perform the veterinary medical duties required for the position. Only experience gained after completing the basic education requirements described above and in a biomedical research setting in which Public Health Service Policy and United States Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Act Regulations were applied under the jurisdiction of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee is creditable. Experience gained at a pet veterinary clinic with species commonly used in research does not count towards meeting the specialized experience requirements. To be creditable, applicants must have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: Oversight of an animal research facility; providing medical treatment to animals; providing guidance on animal model development; Leadership and guidance regarding animal research; compiling data and preparation of reports; development of policies, procedures and administration of biomedical and pre-clinical science research programs. Residency and Post-Graduate Training. Residency or post-graduate training in an ACLAM- approved program is creditable towards meeting the grade level requirements. The discipline or specialty of the residency or post-graduate training program must be laboratory animal medicine, laboratory animal science or in an area directly related to the practice of laboratory animal medicine. Applicants must demonstrate successful completion of a residency or post-graduate training program or a level of satisfactory progression in the residency or post-graduate training program. The number of years of residency or postgraduate training required is as follows: GS-14: 4 years of progressively responsible training in an ACLAM-approved internship, residency program or fellowship training program. Board Certification. Board certification for the laboratory animal medicine specialty is demonstrated by ACLAM Diplomate status. ACLAM Diplomate status is creditable with specialized experience or residency and post-graduate training towards meeting the grade level requirements. ACLAM Diplomate status is awarded to individuals who have completed a rigorous post-graduate training or residency program or who have gained specialized laboratory animal experience. ACLAM Diplomates must also meet publication requirements and pass certifying exams. The certifying exams cover laboratory animal biology, laboratory animal resources management, clinical laboratory animal medicine and surgery, laboratory animal pathology and animal experimentation. NOTE: Specialized experience and residency and post-graduate training requirements listed below must meet the criteria described in the applicable qualifying category above. An applicant with ACLAM Diplomate status may immediately qualify for a position up to the GS-13 grade level. ACLAM Diplomate status is creditable for each grade level as follows: GS-14: ACLAM Diplomate status and 1 year of specialized veterinary experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level or ACLAM Diplomate status and 4 years of progressively responsible training in an ACLAM-approved internship, residency program or fellowship training program.
This is a non-bargaining unit position. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Telework: Not Available Duty Location Status: Will work from a VA Owned or Leased space. Position Description Title/PD#: Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer (Animal Laboratory Science)/ PD145570 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Physical Demands: The work requires moderate physical exertion, routine restraint, and handling of non tranquilized, sedated, and anesthetized research animals, and prolonged periods of standing during surgical procedures. Role is principally sedentary, involving reading, writing, in-person and telephone communication, computer and standard office equipment use; and some walking and carrying light supplies/work. Supervisory Probationary Period: Applicants selected for this position may be required to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period. Failure to successfully complete the supervisory probationary period will result in the employee being reassigned to a position in the agency of no lower grade and pay than the one the employee left to accept the supervisory or managerial position. Major Duties: This position supports animal related research, including interventional and effective studies; and preclinical, and technical studies of disorders and diseases of importance to the health of Veterans. Responsible for the oversight of all ORD-funded animal research. Provides medical treatment to animals, as necessary, as well as providing guidance related to overall animal welfare and facility operations. Develops mission statements and policy documents for the Animal Research Program Continually monitors and evaluates the review process and implementation of programs. Compiles data into concise reports for internal and external audiences. Oversees research staff and investigators to ensure that the standards of the animal research protocol are maintained and that all animals are treated in a humane and caring fashion. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, set and adjust short-term priorities, and prepare schedules for completion of work. Evaluates work performance of subordinates; gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters Makes recommendations for new directions, initiatives, policies, and procedures based on best care policies. Develops policies, procedures, and criteria for administration of the organization's biomedical and pre-clinical science research program