Research Veterinary Medical Officer (Pathology)

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit, located at the USDA-ARS, National Bio- and Agro- Defense Facility, Manhattan, KS.

The Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit conducts basic and applied research on the pathogenesis, prevention, and diagnosis of foreign animal diseases in food producing animals.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Positions in the GS-0701 series must meet basic qualifications as found in the Education section below.

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, Specialized Experience must also be met. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled.

Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised.

The specialized experience requirements for this position are: FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Conducting research related to infectious animal diseases; Analyzing experimental data and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; Presenting research findings at professional meetings.

OR Successful completion of 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 other sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.

OR RESIDENCY/POST GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of two years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position.

Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting the completion of this program.

FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Handling, treating, and collecting samples from livestock species in compliance with United States government animal welfare regulations.

Performing infection, vaccination, necropsies, evaluation of clinical signs of infections.

OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of a PhD 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 other sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.

OR RESIDENCY/POST GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of three years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position.

Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting the completion of this program.

OR BOARD CERTIFICATION FOR THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: 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.

Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting their diplomate status.

FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Handling, treating, and collecting samples from livestock species in compliance with United States government animal welfare regulations.

Performing infection, vaccination, necropsies, evaluation of clinical signs of infections.

Experience with accomplishments in veterinary pathology and virus-host interactions as demonstrated in scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, books or similar scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, books or similar scientific literature.

FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-14 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Reputation that serves as a recruiting tool to your organization.

Experience in research that has led to national and international recognition as a technical authority and leader in your field.

Research that has significantly advanced the field and resulting in recognition that led to awards, honors, or invitations from scientific organizations.

Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-14 or GS-15 grade levels.

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.

To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation.

Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral.

Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications.

Major Duties:

• Works as a research scientist for the "Countermeasures to Control and Eradicate Foreign Animal Disease of Swine" Project Plan.
• Provides leadership in selected the research path for studies of swine viral pathogens.
• Responsible for: organizing research, establishing research priorities, furnishing leadership in planning research projects, supervising execution of research priorities, furnishing leadership in planning research projects (continued below)
• Responsible for: supervising execution of research, reviewing research in progress, evaluating completed research, leading discussions on the interpretation of results, and reporting and publishing the progress of research.