Animal Caretaker

EXPERIENCE INCLUDES: performing health examination on animals; monitoring animals for changes in health and unusual behaviors; collecting biological specimens for laboratory examination (i.e. feces, urine, blood and microbiological specimens); handling and restraining animals; and cleaning, sanitizing and sterilizing animal enclosures and nutrition (food/water) equipment. (*Your experience must be detailed in your resume to receive full credit.) PHYSICAL EFFORT: The work requires physical strength and manual dexterity to safely work with all species of animals, both wild and domestic. Animal enclosures, including cages, vary in size from shoebox dimensions to the size of a moderate dining table and can be heavy and quite bulky. The employee will be required to manipulate these items around a large cagewasher and sterilization equipment, which also requires strength and dexterity to work safely. WORK CONDITIONS: The working conditions of the employees’ position varies from the aseptic ideally controlled environment (such as that of the surgical suite) to that of excesses of temperature, humidity and poor air quality encountered in field conditions. The work in the rack/cagewashing area involved exposure to high temperatures and humidity. The work environment includes exposure to allergens, humidity and odors in animal rooms and necropsy areas, exposure to exotic and zoonotic diseases, animal bites and scratches and biological and carcinogenic hazards. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The employee will be assigned to the Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU), Research Service, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Healthcare System, Omaha, NE and will be responsible for animal husbandry and animal housekeeping for animals (various species) used by the unit staff for research purposes.