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For specific position information (duties/shift/overtime/travel) please see: January Vacancy List
This Announcement is an open continuous announcement that is used to collect applications from applicants and fill vacant positions as they become available. When a request is received to fill a vacant Veterinary Medical Officer (VMO) in a specific geographic location, a list of the best qualified applicants interested in that location, will be sent to the hiring manager for further consideration.
01/05/2021 to 01/28/2021
$64,649 - $100,739 per year
GS 11 - 12
Many vacancies in the following locations:
No
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Permanent
Full-Time
Competitive
12
Yes
No
FSIS-21-MCE-11002402-PS
588602200
LOCATION INFORMATION: For specific position information (duties/shift/overtime/travel) please see the January Vacancy List link in the duty description section. Please be ready to discuss preferred locations if you are referred to the hiring manager. Additional career opportunities and information can be found at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/careers
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine professional degree is required. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine transcript must show your name, college name, and date degree was awarded.
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 Council on Education (AVMA). The AVMA web site has a listing of all AVMA-accredited veterinary medical schools.
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.
Salary is based on RUS (Rest of the United States) not specific location.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System before they can be employed by an Executive Agency of the Federal Government. For More Information
If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
If selected for a position with further promotion potential, you are 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.
Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
Per Public Law 104-134, all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
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 (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.
This position has the potential for mandatory overtime, weekend and holiday work, variable tours of duty, travel and other work life challenges.
Veterans Information: Click here
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.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The Office of Personnel Management has granted Direct Hire Authority government-wide for Veterinary Medical Officer Positions. There is a critical hiring need in severe shortage locations and these positions play an important role in protecting the nation's food supply. This authority permits hiring without regard to certain competitive requirements. For more information: Incentives
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 are not rated or ranked numerically. Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide complete information about their job-related experience and education. Your resume must document that you meet the Qualification Requirements detailed above.
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.
Veteran's 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 veteran's preference.
Since applicants are not rated or ranked, we recommend that applicants demonstrate possession of the following skills and competencies within the body of their resume for review by Selecting Official; no separate statements addressing them are required.
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 when needed to be aware of the likely consequences and implications of decisions, generate and implement new and useful ideas, "think outside the box," explore alternatives, take risks and try new approaches.
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.
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; 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, click here.
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 award, 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. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit NACES. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
Current and former Federal employees:
Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing that you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade
AND
Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Do not submit a performance plan.
Current permanent FSA County employees must submit your most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action, (SF-50 or equivalent) showing your highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) per above.
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 certification they are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after date the certification is submitted. Veterans Preference Information
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act:
Copies of Notification of Personnel Action(s) (SF-50) showing the employee served in eligible appointment(s) for a period(s) of more than 24 mo. w/o a break between appointments of two+ years. Include initial hire actions, extensions, conversions and separation SF-50s for each period.
Submit performance rating(s) showing acceptable performance for each period counted towards eligibility signed by supervisor(s). If documentation does not exist for one or more periods, submit a statement from supervisor(s) indicating acceptable performance. Applicants who do not have performance documentation for any period shall provide a reason why the documentation is not available and statement that performance for all periods was at an acceptable level.
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
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.
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 document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). See "Required Documents" for details. Select the document you want to submit.
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.
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.
Officers on active duty in the Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps and applicants to the PHS Commissioned Corps do not apply on-line. All Commissioned Corps active duty officers and applicants, please send all materials requested in this vacancy announcement (or their equivalent), cover letter, curriculum vitae, and last 3 COERS (active duty officers) or a copy of your Commissioned Corps application (Corps applicants) to CDR Malaysia Gresham Harrell, USDA-FSIS Commissioned Corps Liaison:
Malaysia.Harrell@fsis.usda.gov; (301) 504-4249. You may also contact CDR Harrell for general information on employment as a PHS Commissioned Corps Officer at FSIS.
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 HR 1 (East) 1-833-840-9219.
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log into your USAJOBS account to check your application status.
We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/588602200. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for protecting the public's health by ensuring the safety of the Nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and processed egg products. USDA is a great place to start or continue your career. For more information on USDA and the Food Safety and Inspection Service, visit FSIS.
A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.
We are a qualifying employer of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information please visit: PSLF Program
FSIS offers various recruitment incentives to newly hired Veterinarians regardless of location. Incentives include a multi-year recruitment bonus and Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual. Recruitment flexibilities and incentives are offered based on agency staffing needs and budgetary availability; service agreements apply. Please Click Here for more information on incentives.
