Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer / Public Health Veterinarian (SPHV/PHV)

at  USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

QUALIFICATIONS

Please reference the specific Office of Personnel Management (OPM) qualifications standards for the 0701 Job Series.

BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL:

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), obtained at a school or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education. The AVMA web site has a listing of all AVMA-accredited veterinary medical schools.
OR
Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools that are not accredited by the AVMA Council on Education must meet one of the following requirements and submit supporting documentation:
Proof of certification of their final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) (Completion of ECFVG program)
Possession of a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States that includes successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) or its predecessors, the National Board Examination (NBE) and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT).
Proof that the education obtained in a foreign veterinary medical program is equivalent to that gained in a veterinary medical program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. Under this provision, equivalency is established only if an AVMA-accredited veterinary medical school or college accepts the graduate’s final transcript from the foreign veterinary medical school at full value for placement into an advanced degree, postgraduate educational program, or training program (e.g. Residency or graduate program).
Graduates of foreign veterinary medical programs must also submit proof of proficiency in the English language by successfully completing one of the nationally and internationally recognized examinations that incorporate assessments of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Examples of examinations that assess mastery of the English language are shown below:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Minimum scores for the TOEFL are 560 for the paper-based version; 220 for the computer-based version; or overall score of 83 for the internet-based version (including 26 or higher in speaking, 26 or higher in listening, and 17 or higher in writing). For the computer-based and paper-based test versions, applicants must also complete the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and the Test of Written English (TWE). Minimum required scores are 55 for the TSE and 5.5 for the TWE;
Academic tests (listening, writing, and speaking) offered by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 7.0, with at least 7.0 in speaking, 6.5 in listening, and 6.0 in writing; OR
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 70, with at least 60 in speaking, 60 in listening, and 50 in writing.
English language proficiency assessments may also be waived for qualified job applicants whose native language is English (i.e. the official or common language of an individual’s country of birth is English) AND they submit a diploma or other official documentation from the school as proof of graduation from a high (secondary) school where the entire curriculum and educational programs of the school are taught in the English language for the entire three or four years of full-time attendance.

BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL - YOU MUST MEET THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL TO QUALIFY FOR POSITIONS AT THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL AND ABOVE ARE:

1. EXPERIENCE: Mastery of clinical medicine (veterinary practice experience); scientific presentations before professional groups; publication of medical reports in professional journals or publications; participation in seminars, advisory/working groups, and research groups; or other related activities that contribute to the advancement of veterinary medical science are positive indicators of the quality of an applicant’s experience. However, articles on the care of pets would not be considered professional publications or qualifying specialized experience.
   OR
2. EDUCATION: Master’s degree conferred from an accredited college, in an area of specialization; or successfully completed two years of an internship, Residency program or fellowship training program in a discipline related to this position. 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 sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.

Applicants must:

• Be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the job functions, without hazard to themselves and others.
• Have full range of motion to perform rapid repetitive twisting and working with arms above shoulder level.
• Be able to stand and walk on slippery and uneven floors and catwalks, and climbing stairs and ladders.
• Be able to lift, carry, push and pull up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Have manual dexterity of the upper body, including arms, hands, and fingers with a normal sense of touch in both hands.
• Must have good near and distance vision, be free of chronic eye disease and have correctable vision of at least 20/40 in one eye.
• Have the ability to distinguish shades of color. Any significant degree of color blindness (more than 25% error rate on approved color plate test) may be disqualifying.
• Individuals with some hearing loss and/or requiring hearing amplification will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine professional degree is required. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine transcript must show your name, college name, and date degree was awarded.
Applicants close to graduating may be considered based on transcripts showing likely completion of qualifying education within 9 months from the date of the application.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The listed Salary is based on RUS (Rest of the United States) and not a specific location. For more information on locality pay and the GS classification and pay, select the below links:
Pay tables: 2024 General Schedule (GS) Locality
GS Pay: Classification and Pay
THIS POSITION REQUIRES A PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL: Position Requirements.
Assignment Restrictions: FSIS Directive 4735.9, Office of Field Operations Assignment Restrictions and Rules on Gifts from Regulated Industry FSIS Directive 4735.9 Revision 2 (usda.gov), sets out the Agency’s specific procedures regarding ethical employee conduct, specifically related to employee assignment restrictions and gifts from regulated establishments. Please click on this link and read directive prior to applying.
If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report.
Recruitment incentives are offered based on agency staffing needs and budgetary availability; service agreements apply. For detailed incentive information see: Career Profiles | FSIS.
FSIS is pleased to offer a $20,000 sign on bonus paid out in four $5,000 lump sum payments. The bonus requires a four-year service agreement and is paid out at the annually at the completion of each year of service.
Selectees may be eligible for Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual (CSALA)
Student Loan Repayment Program (Eligible after 1 year).
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information please visit: PSLF Program
The positions advertised offer a referral bonus award of $1,000. More than one award may be given subject to criteria being met. Current FSIS employees may be eligible for this award if they refer an applicant who later enters on duty and works at least 90 days with successful performance and conduct. The referred employee will have an opportunity to list the referring employee during the application process. There are some required restrictions on this award. Ineligible employees include: 1. Employees whose regular, recurring jobs include the recruitment of new employees. 2. Employees who are otherwise excluded from receiving Achievement Awards; 3. Selecting officials or other persons associated with the selection process of the referred employee; and 4. Any of the following relatives of the referred employee: Spouse, or parents thereof; Children, including stepchildren and adopted children, and spouses thereof; Parents, including stepparents; Siblings, including stepsiblings, and spouses thereof; Any individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship.

This position may be eligible for the SPHV Accelerated Promotion Program. This program makes exceptions to the time-in-grade and qualification requirements to allow a single accelerated career ladder promotion to a GS-12 in less than one year. A mandatory training plan must be successfully completed before an individual is eligible to be promoted under this program.

• Benefits

Review our benefits

PRIOR TO ISSUING A LIST OF BEST QUALIFIED APPLICANTS, WE WILL REVIEW YOUR RESUME AND TRANSCRIPT(S) TO ENSURE THAT YOU MEET THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GRADE(S) SELECTED.

Applicants who meet the qualifications and requirements, and have selected the geographic location of the vacant position, will be referred to the selecting official in last name order. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Veterans’ Preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position. Applicants are still strongly encouraged to provide documentation related to Veterans’ Preference. Applicants must demonstrate possession of the following skills and competencies within the body of their resume:
Communication Skills - The ability to listen effectively, demonstrate understanding, clarify meaning for others, and speak with clarity and precision; to communicate with a diverse audience; and to write clearly and concisely.
Leadership - The ability to organize tasks and to lead people effectively; to guide and coach others to improve their skills and achieve challenging goals; to inspire and motivate others; and to solicit and consider others’ opinions. The ability and willingness to make recommendations to improve inspection systems or procedures; demonstrate a strong work ethic, meet commitments, and seek out and accomplish professional development activities.
Facilitation Skills/Negotiation - The ability to facilitate productive meetings or groups, generating discussion and involvement from others, achieving mutually beneficial resolutions to issues, bringing conflicts toward resolution by bringing issues into the open and attempting to resolve them in a collaborative manner, and giving fair consideration to everyone’s views.
Problem Solving/Judgment - The ability to gather, examine, and interpret information from different sources to generate or evaluate effective solutions to problems and make sound decisions to generate alternate approaches to solving problems.

Planning/Time Management - The ability to plan and organize time in order to work both productively and efficiently as well as to maximize the quantity and quality of work; and to set priorities, determine long-term vs. short-term priorities, and complete assigned tasks within schedule constraints. Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the “Apply Online” button to the right. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12468661

• Benefits

Review our benefits

• Required Documents

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties, including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; and title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor’s phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications. If you need assistance in creating a federal resume please click here.

• Your application may be disqualified if you include any of the information listed here: What should I leave out of my resume?

College transcripts: If education is required or you are using education to meet a qualification requirement, you must submit a legible copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, it must include student name, school name, and enough information to validate qualifications such as course names, prefixes, grades, semester or quarter credit hours, date degree was awarded, etc. Further, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college, or university, visit Dept. of Education Accredited Schools. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards.
Veteran Hiring Authorities: VEOA, VRA and 30% Disabled Veterans: DD-214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty showing dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. Disabled veterans must include VA letter & SF-15 if claiming 10 pt. preference. Current active duty members must submit a statement of discharge/certification of release or an official written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions no later than 120 days from the date the certification is signed. For more information regarding Veterans: Click here
Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment: Letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). Schedule A
Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
Other Special Hiring Authority: If claiming eligibility under a special hiring authority not listed above, see the requirements for that authority and submit the required supporting documentation. Hiring Authorities

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and the instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically. We are available to assist you during normal business hours. Applying online is highly encouraged. If applying online poses a hardship, please contact our office for an alternate method. All electronic and hardship application packages with supporting documents must be complete to be considered. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process. To begin, click “Apply” and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application.
Step 2: In your USAJOBS account, you will have the opportunity to select your stored USAJOBS resume, create a new resume or upload a resume, and upload other relevant documents. All uploaded documents must be less than 3MB and in one of the following formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). See “Required Documents” for details.
Step 3: Click “Apply Online,” answer all required questions, verify the documents you selected from USAJobs transferred into the Agency’s staffing system, and attach any additional documents that may not have transferred or be required. You must submit a legible copy of your college transcripts, with your application package, showing your conferred DVM degree, as proof that you meet the educational requirement. If you have not yet graduated, submit your current transcript.
NOTE: It is an applicant’s responsibility to submit updated information. You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Simply log into your USAJOBS account and click on “Application Status.” Click on the position title, and then select “Update Application” to continue.
NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency’s staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency’s staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Help

DUTIES

• Plan, organize, coordinate and adapt the full range of meat and poultry inspection operations in slaughter and/or processing establishments;
• Ensure establishments meet requirements of the Pathogen Reduction and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations;
• Oversee consumer protection, non-food safety concerns such as proper labeling and packaging;
• Serve as team leader who works with and supervises other public health professionals to ensure establishments under our jurisdiction comply with sanitation standards and properly implement systems that control hazards from entering the food supply;
• Enforcing Federal meat and poultry inspection procedures prior to slaughter and throughout the entire process, including humane handling;
• Conduct ante-mortem inspection, post-mortem inspection, processing, dispositions, transportation and distribution of meat, poultry, and egg products to markets and retail stores;
• Consult with union officials, plant management and discuss with subordinates new or revised regulations, policies and procedures;
• Maintain meaningful labor-management relationships with subordinates by representing and expressing management’s viewpoints to daily communications;
• Promote EEO and Safety principles/programs, train subordinates, assign and review work, evaluate and rate performance, counsel employees on performance, resolve complaints and grievances, recommend disciplinary action as necessary.

YOU MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE INCLUDING YOUR DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE DEGREE FINAL TRANSCRIPT AND YOUR RESUME. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS ARE RECEIVED. OUR OFFICE CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INCOMPATIBLE SOFTWARE, ILLEGIBLE FAX TRANSMISSIONS OR DOCUMENTS, DELAYS IN THE MAIL SERVICE, SYSTEM FAILURE OR DOWNTIME, ETC. FAILURE TO SUBMIT REQUIRED, LEGIBLE DOCUMENTS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONSIDERATION.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible see http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of 100.
If you do not have access to the Internet, you are strongly encouraged to visit your library, state employment office, or another establishment that provides internet service to complete the online application and the assessment questionnaire. If this is not an option, refer to the Alternative Methods for Applying section below for specific instructions.
Alternative Methods for Applying: If you are unable to apply using the internet, please fax your request for an application package along with your name and mailing address to: 1-833-840-9219

Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties, including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; and title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor’s phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications. If you need assistance in creating a federal resume please click here.

• Your application may be disqualified if you include any of the information listed here: What should I leave out of my resume

Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties, including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; and title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor’s phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications. If you need assistance in creating a federal resume please click here.

• Your application may be disqualified if you include any of the information listed here: What should I leave out of my resume