Veterinarians in the federal Veterinary Medical Science Series, series code 0701, work on animal health and on the safety of food and products that come from animals. They investigate animal diseases, carry out inspections, and deal with problems such as pollution involving animals or contamination in food made from animal sources.
The work also covers animals and animal products brought in from other countries, where the job is to check that they are healthy and safe. Some positions look at whether drugs and biological products are safe and work as they should, including those given to animals and those given to people. Others take part in enforcement efforts that involve both government and private businesses.
Across these roles, veterinary science is applied to government programs that protect the health of the nation's livestock, poultry and other animal species, the products they provide, and the conditions they live in. The purpose is the well-being of both animals and people.