Veterinary Medical Officer

Full Job Description

This position works in the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), Zoonotic and Emerging Disease Research Unit (ZEDRU).

This position provides support as a veterinarian for the "Development of Agriculture Model Capabilities for Emerging Disease Threats" Project Plan and other ZEDRU allocated projects as assigned.

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: Experience working in BSL3 or ABSL3 or maximum (BSL4) containment facilities.

Experience working with large animals (i.e. swine and cattle). Conducts animal studies which have been previously conducted while under supervision.

Suggests modifications to methods to characterize disease pathogenesis Provides monitored support in the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and biotherapeutics.

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: In coordination with scientists, conducts animal studies to determine the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis.

Works with supervisor and scientists in devising new or modified methods to characterize disease pathogenesis Provides support in the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and biotherapeutics.

Assisting with designing animal studies to support the early development of veterinary medical countermeasures 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: Independently conducting animal studies to determine the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis.

Devising new or modified methods to characterize disease pathogenesis Provides support in the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and biotherapeutics.

Designing animal studies to support the early development of veterinary medical countermeasures Analyzing massive data from animal records, quantitative methods, statistics, and database management Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-14 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.

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:

• Supervising subordinates less than 25% of the time including, but not limited to, monitoring work, providing advice, evaluating performance, initiating awards, and authorizing leave approval.
• Contributes to the identification, description, and characterization of the effects of pathogens in species such as swine, equids, and cattle.
• Provides scientific evidence to inform the development and application of veterinary medical countermeasures to respond to transboundary animal disease outbreaks.
• Ensures compliance with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), relevant regulations, directives, policies, procedures, and guidelines in area of responsibility.
• Provides expertise and technical direction in collaborating and providing professional support to the Research Leader and ARS scientists.
• Provides technical guidance and works with researchers in the utilization of state-of-the-art techniques and technologies.
• Conducts complicated surgical procedures; performs necropsies to evaluate the animal’s disease and cause of death.
• Serves as the ZEDRU Clinical Veterinary Medical Officer and expert resource, providing clinical veterinary medical support services
• Modifies existing protocols and develops new methods to solve problems; recommends and/or develops alternative methods/techniques to accomplish objectives.