Summary The Government-Wide direct hire authority for GS-0701 Veterinary Medical Officer is being used to fill this position. Salary GS-11: $72,553 (Step 01) to $94,317 (Step 10); GS-12: $86,962 (Step 01) to $113,047(Step 10) NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01. Responsibilities The National Wildlife Health Center in the Midcontinent Region of the USGS provides technical assistance and leadership for addressing health issues involving resources under the Department of the Interior stewardship, fosters partnerships with federal, state, and other agencies to address wildlife health as a component of ecosystem health. The Center investigates highly infectious diseases and other diseases affecting a broad spectrum of wildlife by a multi-disciplinary team of specialists who provide an integrated program of disease diagnosis, field response, technical assistance, research, training, and support services. The Center's research focuses on understanding the ecology of disease to identify the most vulnerable linkages among affected host species, the disease agent, and environmental factors resulting in disease. Our programs aim to use this information to mitigate factors leading to population decline and result the integration of information to develop effective disease prevention and control strategies to assist resource managers improve management of wildlife populations. As a Veterinary Medical Officer (Attending Veterinarian) within the National Wildlife Health Center some of your specific duties will include: Performs and manages the clinical care and treatment of animals housed at the National Wildlife Health Center (Center) to ensure that animal care and use is consistent with accepted humane procedures Serves as the Attending Veterinarian on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee; conducts animal welfare compliance inspections and ensures compliance with regulations related to animal welfare; and consults with Center staff regarding the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act and associated regulations Procures and maintains necessary licenses, registrations, permits, controlled/scheduled drugs certificates, and accreditations for the Center related to the care and treatment of research animals Assists Center staff in the review of experimental animal procedures and protocols including, but not limited to surgeries, administration of anesthetics and analgesics, and other veterinary procedures; and trains and assists Center staff with these veterinary procedures Collaborates and assists scientists in research studies including the conduct of the research, analysis and interpretation of results, and the preparation of research products Physical Demands: The work involves physical activities like bending, crouching, and occasionally walking over challenging terrain. The position requires moderate physical ability and average agility, aligning with physical exertion beyond a primarily sedentary setting. Work Environment: The work environment includes offices, laboratories, animal housing facilities, and potentially field settings that operate under BSL-3 or BSL-2 guidelines. The role necessitates special procedures, preventative measures, and the use of protective equipment due to exposure to known disease agents. Duties may also subject the VMO to variable weather conditions, necessitating safety measures. Requirements Conditions of Employment Key Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record. Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam. Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? This vacancy is limited to the first 50 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes. Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued. Work will be performed within a laboratory setting and requires vaccinations against pathogens Ability to obtain state veterinary medical license within 6 months. A recruitment or relocation incentive MAY be authorized in filling this position A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system. Qualifications Basic Requirement for Veterinary Medical Officer GS-0701-11 & Higher: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor obtained at a school or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. **OR Graduation from a foreign veterinary medical school; AND can provide proof of proficiency in the English language by successfully completing one of the nationally and internationally recognized exams that incorporate assessments of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills; AND meet one of the following requirements: (a) possess proof of certification of final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates; OR (b) possess a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in a State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a territory of the US that includes successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination or its predecessors, the National Board Examination and the Clinical Competency Test; OR (c) possess proof that the education obtained in a foreign veterinary medical program is equal to one accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. For GS-12: In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for the GS-12 level: Possess 1-year of progressively responsible professional veterinary experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level that demonstrates the ability to independently perform the veterinary medical duties required of the position. Examples may include: examining bacterial or viral biologics produced/proposed by firms for animal immunization; developing standards for laboratory biologics; diagnosing viral, bacterial, mycotic, parasitic, toxicogenic and nutritional diseases; examining tissues to isolate/characterize infectious agents; conducting autopsies for pathological changes, abnormalities; developing standard diagnostic reagents. **OR A Master's degree in an area of specialization, including but not limited to, animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position. **OR Successful completion of two years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement. Education 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, knowledge, and skills 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 completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs . Additional Information Other Information: Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties. Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position. USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations. The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361. DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. The Department of the Interior (DOI) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Agency Benefits: USGS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOI Telework policy and with supervisor approval. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: https://www.doi.gov/telework/policies. Working for the U.S. Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.