Animal Health Technician bei Department of Agriculture

Not Required

Duties

Evaluates normal temperatures, respiratory rates, heart rates, and basic blood values of common domestic and laboratory birds.,Assists Veterinarians, scientists and/or technical staff in handling animals and participating during experimental studies.,Follows all applicable safety and biosafety requirements, rules, and policies to prevent job related injuries and the transmission of animal diseases.,Collects biological specimens such as blood, feces, feathers, tissues, oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs, and culture samples from animals or animal facilities.,Maintains equipment and supplies to be used for veterinary care.

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. GS-05: Applicants must meet one of the following to be qualified at the GS-05 grade level: Specialized Experience - One year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-05 level are: Observing an experiment or research project related to the poultry species; and Assisting with collecting various non-biological samples from poultry and poultry facilities for testing (e.g. poultry feed, swabs from equipment); and Operating equipment and supplies used in veterinary care or animal research. OR Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours of courses such as zoology, biology, chemistry, or agricultural subjects. OR A combination of education and specialized experience as described above. GS-06: Applicants must meet one of the following to be qualified at the GS-06 grade level: Specialized Experience - One year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-06 level are: Assisting in an experiment or research project related to the poultry species; and Assisting with collecting biological specimen from poultry (i.e. feathers, blood, feces); and Operating equipment and supplies used in veterinary care of research animals such as poultry. OR Education: Successful completion of one full year of graduate level education directly related to the duties of the position. Related education may include animal science, poultry science, or a similar biological degree with a focus on poultry. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-07: Applicants must meet one of the following to be qualified at the GS-07 grade level: Specialized Experience - One year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-07 level are: Participating in an experiment or research project related to the poultry species; and Maintaining and interpreting data collected from poultry species research; and Independently collecting biological specimen from poultry (i.e. feathers, blood, feces, tissue); and Reviewing and advising on animal orders, taking into consideration space availability, equipment, animal care, species suitability, staff and experience. OR Education: Successful completion of one full year of graduate level education directly related to the duties of the position. Related education may include animal science, poultry science, or a similar biological degree with a focus on poultry. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. 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.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Other Information

Additional Conditions of Employment: PPE provides necessary protection against biological and chemical hazards but may increase the risk of accidents due to decreased vision, hampered communication, limited mobility and dexterity. Physical well-being may be compromised by the prolonged usage of the PPE, which may lead to labored respiration, heat stress and dehydration. Strict agent safety regulations are applied to prevent the escape of animal pathogens from the work environment. The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations. Physical Demands: The incumbent spends 20-30% of the time at a desk. The remaining time is spent performing activities involving the collection of biological specimens and the observation and treatment of newly received animals. Moderate to heavy physical exertion may be required to move equipment, feed bags (50 lb.), and carcasses. Stooping, bending, reaching, and active walking are required. Working Environment: The work is performed in an office, indoor and outdoor animal holding facilities, necropsy rooms, and laboratories. Temperature extremes are common. Exposure to disagreeable odors, working around frightened and unpredictable animals, and exposure to the risks and hazards of harmful biological, chemical, and physical agents are possible. This includes working in biosecurity animal housing facilities which require special precautions and close coordination of personnel, animals, equipment, and facility safety controls. The incumbent may be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks or respirators, boots, gloves, and coveralls when providing care to animals that represent a potential source of zoonotic disease or other biohazards. Various forms of respiratory protection equipment must be worn when working with certain infectious agents, chemicals, and animal allergens. Certain environments may also necessitate the use of hearing protection. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. 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 (or above) 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 a possible 100. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of job offer. 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. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.