Animal Health Technician

Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service · Multiple Locations

Company

Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Location

Multiple Locations

Type

Full Time

Job Description

If selected, you will be responsible for day-to-day operation of a broad range of unique, technically oriented, duties in support of programs to facilitate trade and prevent the spread of animal diseases through exportation or importation of live animals, animal byproducts, biological materials, and organisms. Your work with Veterinary Services(VS), Field Operations, will apply technical solutions to control, prevent, and eradicate animal diseases while facilitating international trade.

Learn more about this agency

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.
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/
Must possess and maintain a United States Passport and valid state Driver’s License in the exercise of these duties.
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.
Work hours are nonstandard and may require the technician to work long hours and occasional Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
The work may involve strenuous physical demands, including, but not limited to, restraining large animals and operating heavy equipment.
The work may involve long periods of standing, walking, running, climbing, pushing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
May be required to obtain an Official Government Passport in order to perform work.
Work is performed at off-site quarantine stations, air and sea ports, export livestock facilities, USDA import and export facilities, in an office, or in a government vehicle.
Inspections are made in noisy warehouses, in airport surroundings, at livestock markets, in Federal import/export facilities or on ranches.
Work activities may occur during cold and inclement weather with snow or icy conditions.
There is a moderate risk of exposure to disease agents and hazardous materials necessitating the use of PPE while performing job duties. The employee may be required to shower upon entering and exiting facilities.

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.

FOR THE GS-06 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

Inspects incoming and outgoing shipments of animals and animal products for potential diseases.
Documenting data and conclusions for formal reports.
Assessing health and welfare problems of cattle and horses.

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-06 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.
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.
Worksite Information: This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Additional information regarding ad hoc, occasional, or reoccurring telework may be obtained at a later time from the hiring manager or program during the hiring process.

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.