You can make a difference!  The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States.  MRP offers an array of occupations and is committed to diversity in the workplace.  We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people.  Join our team!

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Veterinary Services
National Animal Health Policy and Programs
National Center for Import and Export
Technical Trade Services Team (Animals)
Riverdale, MD

APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all
Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating
temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some
time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response

Key Requirements:

* As a condition of employment a background investigation is required.

Major 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 incumbent evaluates and analyzes information relating to
particular biological agents being imported and/or moved interstate
to determine the risk of introducing animal diseases into the United
States. Furnishes guidance and expertise to National Center for
Import and Export (NCIE) in developing standards, policies and
procedures. Coordinates and is responsible for managing permitting
and/or Select Agent Program. Serves as a consultant to industry and
government officials at various levels on the issuance of permits
for the importation/interstate movement. Writes reports, briefing
papers and other informational materials in subject matter area.

Qualifications:

To qualify, you MUST meet all qualification requirements by the
closing date of the announcement.

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent
in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in
the Federal service.  Specialized experience is demonstrated by
using principles, laws, regulations, guidelines, and policies
related to biosafety and/or movement and possession of biological
agents.

For more information on OPM Qualifications, visit:OPM Qualification Standards

***If you are found qualified for this position, you will ONLY be
considered at the grade level(s) for which you applied***

0701 - Basic requirements to qualify for positions at GS-11 or
equivalent grade level:

1. Degree: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent
degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), obtained at a school
or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American
Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA).   The
AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org, has a listing of all AVMA-
accredited veterinary medical schools.

OR

2. Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools that are not
accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (Refer to AVMA web site,
http://www.avma.org for information about schools in this category)
must meet one of the following requirements.

*Proof of certification of their final transcript by the
Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG).

*Possession of a 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).

*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 American Veterinary Medical
Association Council on Education.   Under this provision,
equivalency is established only if an AVMA-accredited veterinary
medical school or college in the United States 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).

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 are shown below:

(1) 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.

(2) 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

(3) 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.

B. Basic requirements to qualify for positions at the GS-12 or
equivalent grade level and above:

1. EXPERIENCE

Scientific presentations before professional groups; publication of
medical reports in professional journals or publications;
participation in seminars, advisory/working groups, and research
groups; mastery of clinical medicine; or other related activities
that contribute to the advancement of veterinary medical science are
positive indicators of the quality of an applicant’s experience.
However, articles on the care of pets written for the general public
would not be considered professional publications or qualifying
specialized experience.

Applicants who meet the educational requirements described in
paragraph A above as well as the specialized experience requirements
below may qualify as follows:

GS-13 and above: One year of progressively responsible professional
veterinary experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

2. EDUCATION

To qualify at the GS-12 or GS-13 grade levels on the basis of
education, applicants must successfully complete relevant graduate
study or a dual DVM/graduate degree as described below at an
accredited college or school, in addition to completing the Doctor
of Veterinary Medicine or an equivalent degree:
GS-13: Ph.D. degree in any of the above specialties or related
sciences.

3. RESIDENCY/POST-GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAMS

Residency or post-graduate training programs require two to five
years of study in a specific discipline or specialty.   Successful
completion of such training qualifies the job applicant for the
following grade levels:

GS-13: Successful completion of three years of an internship,
residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline
related to the position.

4. BOARD CERTIFICATION

Specialty boards that are recognized by the American Board of
Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) of the American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA) certify eligible candidates as specialists in
specific veterinary medical fields.   Veterinarians who successfully
complete all requirements for Diplomate status in an ABVS-recognized
veterinary specialty organization may qualify for the GS-13 grade
level.

Such specialties may include, but are not limited to: veterinary
toxicology, laboratory animal medicine, poultry veterinary medicine,
theriogenology, veterinary anesthesiology, veterinary behaviorists,
veterinary clinical pharmacology, veterinary dermatology, veterinary
emergency and critical care, veterinary internal medicine,
veterinary microbiology, veterinary nutrition, veterinary
ophthalmology, veterinary pathology, veterinary preventive medicine,
veterinary radiology, veterinary medicine, and veterinary dentistry.

The above list of specialty areas for board certification should not
be used for parenthetical titles or official job titles unless
authorized by the classification standard for the 0701 occupational
series.

C. Additional Requirements for Areas of Specialization:

For some positions, proficiency in one of the following specialties
is required for satisfactory job performance: Clinical Care,
Emergency Response, Epidemiology, Import and Export, Laboratory
Animal Medicine, Pathology, Product Development, Public Health,
Toxicology, Wildlife, Zoological Animal Medicine
In such situations, agencies may consider using selective factors in
the vacancy announcement when possession of specific experience,
knowledge, skills, abilities, or competencies is absolutely required
prior to appointment.   Selective factors should only be used when
an applicant cannot perform the work satisfactorily without such
qualifications.   Evidence of proficiency may be demonstrated by
work experience; advanced course work or degrees; board
certification; or completion of specific, intensive training, as
appropriate.   The level of proficiency must be commensurate with
the grade level of the position.

In addition to technical competence in a general or specialized
veterinary medical field, applicants must possess writing, oral
communication, and interpersonal skills.

D. Medical Requirements:

Individuals must be physically and mentally able to safely and
efficiently perform the full range of duties of the position without
creating hazards to themselves or others.
Veterinary Medical Officers who inspect or supervise inspection
activities in privately owned slaughter houses and processing plants
must meet specific medical standards and physical requirements
established by the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.

0403 - Basic Requirements: Degree: microbiology; or biology,
chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20
semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the
study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and
mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or
biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent.

OR

Combination of education and experience–courses equivalent to a
major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science
that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate
experience or additional education. Examples of qualifying education
can be found at the following web address:
Examples of Qualifying Education
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mrpbs/hr/job_opportunities/usajobs.shtml

0401 - Basic Requirements: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture,
natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines
appropriate to the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience–Courses equivalent to a
major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or
additional education.

Contact Information:

Human Resources
Phone: 301-734-8428
Fax: 301-734-4984
TDD: 301-734-4953
Email: Tracey.H.Brown@aphis.usda.gov
Or write:
Marketing & Regulatory Programs
4700 River Road
Unit 22
Riverdale, MD 20737
Fax: 301-734-4984

Tags: Agriculture, Biologist, Department, MD, Medical Officer, Microbiologist, RIVERDALE, vet job, veterinary