Animal Health Technician

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-06 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Working with animals in a feedlot, farm, or ranch setting or veterinary setting Documenting data and conclusions for formal reports. Assessing health and welfare problems of animals. OR Successful completion of eighteen (18) semester hours of related graduate education obtained from an accredited college or university. Qualifying grad ate courses include: agribusiness, agricultural chemistry, agricultural development, agricultural economics, agricultural education, animal breeding, animal genetics, animal health, animal nutrition, animal physiology, animal products, animal reproduction, animal science, animal toxicology, animal welfare, biological and agricultural engineering, beef cattle production, dairy herd management, dairy marketing, equine production, farm management, feeding management, meat science, physiology of lactation, poultry science, ruminant nutrition, swine production, and wildlife and fisheries sciences. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 grade level) that demonstrates: Using personal protective equipment (e.g. respirators, sanitized garments/masks, etc.). Communicating technical information to livestock owners. Assisting a veterinarian who works with livestock. OR Successful completion of eighteen (18) semester hours of related graduate education obtained from an accredited college or university. Qualifying graduate courses include: agribusiness, agricultural chemistry, agricultural development, agricultural economics, agricultural education, animal breeding, animal genetics, animal health, animal nutrition, animal physiology, animal products, animal reproduction, animal science, animal toxicology, animal welfare, biological and agricultural engineering, beef cattle production, dairy herd management, dairy marketing, equine production, farm management, feeding management, meat science, physiology of lactation, poultry science, ruminant nutrition, swine production, and wildlife and fisheries sciences. FOR THE GS-08 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 grade level) that demonstrates: Using biosecurity techniques, including cleaning and disinfection, to avoid potential disease spread. Proposing new or revised guidelines and procedures for standard use. Collecting biological samples from livestock and poultry and conducting testing as needed. OR Successful completion of a master’s or equivalent graduate degree or two years of progressively higher level graduate level education leading to such a degree obtained from an accredited college or university. Qualifying graduate courses include: agribusiness, agricultural chemistry, agricultural development, agricultural economics, agricultural education, animal breeding, animal genetics, animal health, animal nutrition, animal physiology, animal products, animal reproduction, animal science, animal toxicology, animal welfare, biological and agricultural engineering, beef cattle production, dairy herd management, dairy marketing, equine production, farm management, feeding management, meat science, physiology of lactation, poultry science, ruminant nutrition, swine production, and wildlife and fisheries sciences. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that 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.
As an Animal Health Technician, you will be responsible for technical and specialized work involved in a variety of animal health programs within an assigned geographical area. If selected, you would work independently, at a variety of field locations geographically removed from the Veterinary Services offices.