Veterinary Medical Officer (Import/Export)

Full Job Description

In this position, you would contribute to our mission by serving as a Veterinary Medical Officer on the Animal Products Import and Export (APIE) staffs.

Your duties would include working with APHIS policies, programs, and regulations concerning importation and exportation of animals, poultry, germplasm, animal products, and select agents, as well as organisms and vectors.

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

TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement outlined in the Education section below.

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: Interpreting and implementing country regulations, developing standard operating procedures, and preparing written communications such as briefing materials, talking points, and memos and/or technical meetings Overseeing complex inspections or compliance and providing guidance to staff or stakeholders on country requirements or standards Coordinating technical meetings and other activities not limited to audits, verifications, site visits, study design, and reviews.

Prepares and/or coordinates evidence based responses to correspondence, questionnaires, and other written materials.

Coordinating and collaborating with industry representatives and negotiating policy interpretation with responsibilities that may include the development of policies and nationwide standards, procedures, and instructions for guiding industry, State, and Federal personnel.

Applying analytical, organizational, problem solving, and project management skills to developing disease/risk mitigation strategies, plans, or policies.

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. TRANSCRIPTS are required.

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:

• 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 duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Serves as a technical authority in the development of national import and/or export regulations, standards, and operating procedures.
• Lead the evaluation of disease risk factors relating to diseases or potential diseases that are endemic or pose widespread threats to the livestock or aquaculture industry or human health.
• Serve as a USDA APHIS contact for addressing sanitary concerns related to the import and export of animal products, and animal by-products.
• Oversee complex inspections and field reviews related to import and/or export program operations within the assigned area of specialization.
• Serve as a technical authority for the evaluation and approval or denial of import permit applications and/or export medical certifications.
• Represents the program at meetings and conferences with other U.S. agencies, State governments, industry and producer organizations.
• Serves as a point of contact for the International Visitors Center when foreign delegations visit the United States.