Veterinary Medical Officer (District Veterinary Medical Officer)

Full Job Description

Positions are located in the Office of Field Operations, Chicago District and reports to the District Office with assigned area of in-plant coverage as determined by Agency.

This position serves as primary contact for all veterinary duties associated with food safety, animal welfare, foreign animal disease surveillance, ante-mortem and postmortem procedures and dispositions, and export certification.

Please reference the specific Office of Personnel Management (OPM) qualifications standards for the 0701 Job Series.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and education, as defined below.

Time in grade: Applicants must have one year of time in grade at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g.

one year at the GS-12 grade level for consideration for the GS-13 grade level).

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g.

one year at the GS-12 grade level for consideration for the GS-13 grade level).

Your 52 weeks of specialized experience must demonstrate the ability to perform, plan or manage veterinary medical activities.

Qualifying experience includes: Experience applying and enforcing policies, practices, and regulations.

Knowledge of veterinary medical concepts, scientific literature, and emerging issues related to food safety.

Experience in coordination of new or revised veterinary medical policies, methods, or procedures.

Experience interpreting and applying the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the inspection program such as humane handling, antemortem, postmortem, inspection procedures conducted in slaughter establishments, Hazardous Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), or Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP).

Experience establishing and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

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. Major Duties:

• Interpret and analyze guidelines and regulations.
• Implement guidelines, policies, and regulations to provide personnel support.
• Conduct research and investigations to make judgments and recommendations.
• Foster working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate guidelines and process to plant personnel.
• Draft recommendations, reports, and guidance documents.
• Apply veterinary medical concepts, principles, and practices.
• Perform routine onsite humane handling and good commercial practices.