Animal Health Technician

Summary About the Position: Serves as an Animal Health Technician for the Fort Carson Veterinary Center (VETCEN). Duties include performing technical procedures involving diagnostic imaging, surgery, medicine, critical or general care in support of the VETCEN. Responsible for medical care of Military Working Dogs (MWDs), Government Owned Animals (GOAs), and Privately Owned Animals (POAs) assigned to Carson Branch. Licensed/Certified/Registered Veterinary Technician or Equivalent Licensure preferred. Learn more about this agency Duties Determines vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, hydration status, attitude, etc.) of animals presented for routine sick call or medical evaluation clinics Administers medications topically, orally, or by parenteral injections (subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous). Cleans, sterilizes, and maintains surgical instruments, equipment, supplies, and premises Operates and performs operator level maintenance on equipment and instruments. Calculates drug dosage based on accurate body weight (converts English to metric units as needed) and administers medication as prescribed by the attending veterinarian Prepares records and health certificates for domestic and international travel. Requirements Conditions of employment Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. A pre-employment physical may be required, and periodic physicals may be required. Incumbent will have to pass a pre-employment physical to meet the physical efforts requirement. This position may require travel away from duty station, TDY 5%. Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft. This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant testing and random drug testing. Applicants tentatively selected for appointment to this position will participate in drug urinalysis testing, unless currently occupying a TDP within the Department of Defense. Applicants will be required to sign DA (Department of the Army) Form 5019 requiring participation in random drug testing as a condition of employment. This position has a mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination requirement and is therefore subject to annual seasonal influenza vaccinations. Applicants tentatively selected for appointment to this position will be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations. Qualifications Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) performing technical procedures to facilitate small animal medical and surgical care; AND 2) maintaining supply inventory by monitoring stock, and ordering new supplies; AND 3) determining vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, hydration status, attitude, etc.) of animals presented for routine sick call or medical evaluation clinics. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06). OR Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as Animal Health and Behavior, Zoology, Biology, Chemistry, or agricultural subjects. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ Additional information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. One year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a Medical Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest. Incentives MAY be authorized for this position. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.