As an Animal Health Technician, you will be responsible for technical and specialized work involved in a variety of animal health programs within an assigned geographical area. If selected, you would work independently at a variety of field locations geographically removed from the Veterinary Services offices. - See Requirements. May serve as a member of an Incident Management Team. May be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-05 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Assisting a veterinarian working with animals or working with animals in a shelter, farm, ranch, clinic or airport environment providing food, transporting, monitoring for normal appearance and cleaning animal areas. Communicating general information to veterinarians, other government agencies, laboratory employees, pet owners, members of the public travelling overseas with animals, or livestock owners and managers. Identifying applicable laws, regulations, and policies related to animal health. OR A full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours of courses in zoology, biology, chemistry, or agricultural subjects. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-05 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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.
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:
Assists Veterinary Medical Officers with inspection and testing of livestock, poultry, and other avian species on ranches, farms, auctions, markets, etc., to detect animal diseases and parasites.
Makes arrangements with livestock owners and independently draws blood samples from animals.
Supervises the livestock owner's cleaning and disinfection of vehicles and premises which may be contaminated by disease organisms.
Investigates reports of communicable diseases of livestock.
Provides program information regarding preventive measures to nearby livestock owners.
Supervises livestock owner's disposition of diseased animals.
Prepares certificates granting approval of movements of disease-free, infected, or exposed livestock.