What are the responsibilities and job description for the Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer (Animal Care Specialist) position at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?
Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Job Summary
You will serve as a Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer carrying out a variety of technical and administrative tasks necessary for developing, coordinating, and directing the activities associated with ensuring the humane care, handling, and transportation of animals covered under the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection Acts.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement outlined in the Education section below. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: - Applying expertise in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act and Horse Protection Act as they pertain to handling, husbandry, care, maintenance, transportation, and other means of interacting with animals. - Analyzes complex compliances issues, identifies root causes of recurring problems, and develops corrective actions to strengthen program enforcement. - Leads or guide teams by coordinating assignments, providing technical direction, and reviewing work for accuracy and compliance with program standards. - Represents the program in meetings and discussions to communicate goals, clarity expectations, and foster cooperative relationships between management, employees, and stakeholders. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of a PhD degree in an 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 other sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position. OR RESIDENCY/POST GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL. Successful completion of three years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting the completion of this program. OR BOARD CERTIFICATION FOR THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL-Specialty boards that are recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) certify eligible candidates as specialists in specific veterinary medical fields. Veterinarians who successfully complete all requirements for Diplomate status in an ABVS-recognized veterinary specialty organization may qualify for the GS-13 grade level. Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting their diplomate status. TRANSCRIPTS are required. This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. this education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college or university. An unofficial copy of transcripts is sufficient with the application; however official transcripts will be required if selected for the position. 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.
Major Duties
The duties may include, but are not limited to:Participates with the Animal Care Assistant Director in the determination of the needs and ways to accomplish the short and long-range goals of the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection programs.Supervises and reviews the activities of Veterinary Medical Officers and Animal Care Inspectors who conduct inspections of research facilities, zoological parks, and aquariums.Recommends, coordinates and facilitates the professional and technical training of assigned field personnel.Assists the Assistant Director in responding to public complaints, media requests, etc., involving very complex, multifaceted, emotional and highly visible public generated programs.Responsible for the review and evaluation of generalized and specific compliance problems.Reviews Animal Welfare and Horse Protection prepared case violations with the Assistant Director prior to cases being submitted to staff.Speaks on Animal Welfare and Horse Protection program activities at veterinary colleges, national and state meetings of veterinarians, and local/state/national organizations.Assists the Assistant Director in reviewing information to assure that complex animal research protocols provide for the appropriate use, care, and treatment of the involved animals.Participates in the development of innovative ways to conduct publicity programs and educate the public on the various aspects of the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection programs.
Position Start Date:
04/21/2026
Position Close Date:
04/27/2026
Salary Offered: 106437 - 161313 USD Per Year
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!
Job Summary
You will serve as a Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer carrying out a variety of technical and administrative tasks necessary for developing, coordinating, and directing the activities associated with ensuring the humane care, handling, and transportation of animals covered under the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection Acts.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement outlined in the Education section below. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: - Applying expertise in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act and Horse Protection Act as they pertain to handling, husbandry, care, maintenance, transportation, and other means of interacting with animals. - Analyzes complex compliances issues, identifies root causes of recurring problems, and develops corrective actions to strengthen program enforcement. - Leads or guide teams by coordinating assignments, providing technical direction, and reviewing work for accuracy and compliance with program standards. - Represents the program in meetings and discussions to communicate goals, clarity expectations, and foster cooperative relationships between management, employees, and stakeholders. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of a PhD degree in an 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 other sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position. OR RESIDENCY/POST GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL. Successful completion of three years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting the completion of this program. OR BOARD CERTIFICATION FOR THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL-Specialty boards that are recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) certify eligible candidates as specialists in specific veterinary medical fields. Veterinarians who successfully complete all requirements for Diplomate status in an ABVS-recognized veterinary specialty organization may qualify for the GS-13 grade level. Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting their diplomate status. TRANSCRIPTS are required. This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. this education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college or university. An unofficial copy of transcripts is sufficient with the application; however official transcripts will be required if selected for the position. 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.
Major Duties
The duties may include, but are not limited to:Participates with the Animal Care Assistant Director in the determination of the needs and ways to accomplish the short and long-range goals of the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection programs.Supervises and reviews the activities of Veterinary Medical Officers and Animal Care Inspectors who conduct inspections of research facilities, zoological parks, and aquariums.Recommends, coordinates and facilitates the professional and technical training of assigned field personnel.Assists the Assistant Director in responding to public complaints, media requests, etc., involving very complex, multifaceted, emotional and highly visible public generated programs.Responsible for the review and evaluation of generalized and specific compliance problems.Reviews Animal Welfare and Horse Protection prepared case violations with the Assistant Director prior to cases being submitted to staff.Speaks on Animal Welfare and Horse Protection program activities at veterinary colleges, national and state meetings of veterinarians, and local/state/national organizations.Assists the Assistant Director in reviewing information to assure that complex animal research protocols provide for the appropriate use, care, and treatment of the involved animals.Participates in the development of innovative ways to conduct publicity programs and educate the public on the various aspects of the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection programs.
Position Start Date:
04/21/2026
Position Close Date:
04/27/2026
Salary Offered: 106437 - 161313 USD Per Year
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!