Animal Health Technician (Mounted Patrol Inspector)

Summary If selected as a Mounted Patrol Inspector (also known as a Tick Rider), you will make unassisted horseback patrols through rough and remote terrain in an assigned sector along the United States-Mexico border for the purpose of locating and inspecting livestock which might be carrying ticks, scabies mites, screwworm, or foreign animal diseases. This Open Continuous Announcement allows acceptance of applications for 90 days with eligible applicants being referred as vacancies occur. Learn more about this agency 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: Inspects premises in and bordering the quarantine zone, and investigates additions to or losses of livestock from such herds. Makes periodic inspections of vacated premises to detect bad fences, cattle tracks, or other evidence of illegal use of the premises. Rides horseback and checks all fences in and bordering the assigned sector to ascertain that they are adequate to prevent intermingling of livestock and consequent exposure to disease carriers. Collects physical information which may involve sign-cutting and tracking techniques, and uses this information to detect and apprehend strayed or smuggled Mexican livestock. Assists 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 owners and independently draws blood samples from animals and poultry, conducts necessary serologic tests, tags, brands, appraises reactor animals, and reports findings. Oversees the cleaning and disinfection of vehicles and premises that are contaminated by disease organisms or as a precautionary measure. Requirements 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: 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. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/ Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application. All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions. Position may require the acquisition of a pesticide applicators license with the state Department of Agriculture within the first 12 months of employment. May be assigned to participate in assignments in foreign countries which requires obtaining an Official Government Passport. Risk may warrant frequently carrying a firearm for self-protection. Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the cut-off date following your application submission (see Additional Information for dates), including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: To be referred for consideration for the Animal Health Technician (Mounted Patrol Inspector), candidates must meet the selective placement factor as described below. This is a minimum qualification requirement. By confirming you meet the selective placement factor you are also acknowledging that you will provide enough detail in your resume to describe your experience performing the full range of activities described in the selective factor. Applicants must have knowledge, skill and ability to ride horseback sufficient to track, rope, and subdue wild, and/or fractious, unpredictable livestock in rough and remote terrain for the purpose of inspecting, apprehending, and treating, stray, diseased, and/or distressed animals. This work is completed independently. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Independently working with livestock in a feedlot, farm, or ranch setting, which included experience inspecting the premises for irregularities. Interviewing livestock owners and other involved parties to obtain information for investigations and documents findings. Reading and interpreting records and reports to determine applicable information and courses of action. Monitor the activity of livestock to identify risk, inspects and detects problem areas. OR Successful completion of eighteen (18) semester hours of related graduate education obtained from an accredited college or university. Qualifying graduate courses include: agribusiness, agricultural chemistry, agricultural development, agricultural economics, agricultural education, animal breeding, animal genetics, animal health, animal nutrition, animal physiology, animal products, animal reproduction, animal science, animal toxicology, animal welfare, biological and agricultural engineering, beef cattle production, dairy herd management, dairy marketing, equine production, farm management, feeding management, meat science, physiology of lactation, poultry science, ruminant nutrition, swine production, and wildlife and fisheries sciences 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-07 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. Education This position does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. A specific duty station will be identified within the counties listed at time of selection. May be assigned to participate in assignments in foreign countries which requires obtaining an Official Government Passport. The work may involve strenuous physical demands, including, but not limited to, horseback riding in rough terrain, apprehension of wild and/or fractious livestock, roping, restraining large animals, and operating heavy equipment. The work requires standing, walking, running, bending, crouching, climbing, crawling, and lifting heavy items in excess of 100 pounds. The work may require handling livestock during inclement weather and/or working in or around unpleasant conditions (e.g., blood, animal confinement units, high noise levels, dust, and slippery surfaces). There may be exposure to disease conditions and agents that would require protective clothing and safeguards and enrollment in a health monitoring program. To receive consideration for open continuous vacancies, applicants must submit complete applications, including completing the USA Hire assessment, prior to the established cut-off date(s). An initial cut-off will take place on June 15, 2026 for initial applicant consideration. Applications received after the initial cut-off date will be considered, if needed. Additional cut-off dates are projected for: July 13, 2026; August 10, 2026; September 2, 2026 You can update your application at any point during the open period. Please be mindful that updating your application may move it into a different cut-off period. This announcement will remain open until the closing date indicated; however, those who apply after the initial cut-off date will be considered for referral to the hiring manager only if additional vacancies occur and/or the initial referral list is exhausted. Cutoff dates and the closing date of this announcement may be adjusted as needed, and any updates will be reflected on this announcement. 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. 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.