Veterinary Medical Officer

If selected, you will be working within an assigned geographic area as an entry level Veterinary Medical Officer within Veterinary Services (VS), Field Operations (FiOps) to promote animal health through disease detection and diagnosis, analysis, control, eradication, and prevention. Your work regarding the health status and disease potential of animals and their products and by-products may affect state-federal disease control programs nationwide.

• 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:
• Supervising subordinates less than 25% of the time including, but not limited to, monitoring work, providing advice, evaluating performance, initiating awards, and authorizing leave approval.
• Develop and revise medical, program, and inspection procedures to safely and securely handle animals exposed to contagious diseases and properly release or quarantine animals with disease risks.
• Inspect animals for evidence of disease conditions, assess health status, diagnose clinical symptoms of suspect animals, advise avenues for seeking treatment, and recommend preventive care.
• Inspect animals, facilities, and records for compliance with federal laws related to animal health and welfare.
• Certify the health of animals and their by-products to be exported to other countries.
• Collaborate with local, state, and federal officials with similar responsibilities involving the oversight of animal health and welfare.
• Evaluate animal health program operations that are experiencing herd or flock disease problems to determine solutions needed to adjust veterinary medical or program procedures.

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
• Subject to unscheduled overnight details of undetermined lengths in the event of animal health emergencies or other conditions requiring immediate response, as required by the agency (extensive periods may be designated for overnight details).
• As an essential function, travel and work both in and outside of the United States in the performance of assigned duties is required.
• Employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments in foreign countries to support port services or emergency programs which requires obtaining an Official Government Passport.