Veterinary Medical Officer

You will serve as a Veterinary Medical Officer U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6, National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Major duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: As a Veterinary Medical Officer, you will be responsible for the coordination, review, development and implementation of medical and scientific strategies addressing health and related issues associated with the captive breeding program and associated activities to ensure the propagation of the Black-footed Ferret (BFF). Provides veterinary oversight for all animals at the Center including the breeding population of endangered black-footed ferrets. This includes diagnostics and treatment, vaccinations, surgery, emergency response, and reproductive care. Supports breeding efforts at the Center including reproductive assessments, cytology, gamete collection, and pre- and post-natal care for females and their offspring. Collects and synthesizes data to direct and contribute to research on black-footed ferret health, disease, reproduction, and captive breeding. Assists field personnel at black-footed ferret reintroduction sites with monitoring the health of free-ranging ferrets through collection of biomedical information and vaccination. Serves as primary veterinary advisor to senior Service staff, partner organizations, and Black-footed ferret SAFE facilities.

Qualifications

Requirements Continued... Probationary Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/16/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. If you do not provide evidence that you possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified. License Requirement: Applicants hired under the Veterinary Science Medical Series (0701) must have and maintain a current, valid veterinary license from one of the 50 United States upon application. In order to qualify for this position, you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualifications. Basic Requirement for 0701 series: Education: 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, http://www.avma.org/, 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 (Refer to AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org/ for information about schools in this category) must meet one of the following requirements: Proof of certification of their final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) 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 provide 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: 1. 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; 2. 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; 3. 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. In addition to the requirements listed above, you must also meet the minimum requirements listed below: Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Examples of qualifying specialized experience includes: Performing veterinary procedures and providing medical care to small mammals including activities such as diagnosing, treating, and preventing illness or injury, collecting samples and performing diagnostics, and performing or assisting with surgeries and necropsies; handling and working with wildlife in a veterinary, research, or captive propagation setting. -OR- Education: In addition to completing a DVM or an equivalent degree, completion of a Master's degree, or higher, 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 sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.-OR- Residency/Post-Graduate Training Program Substitution: Successful completion of two years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position.

Education

Volunteer Experience: 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. This position has a mandatory education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Travel with overnight lodging at commercial facilities or camping in field situations, as well as attending meetings in other agency offices or locations is required.
• You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• This position will require on-call and ability to respond to emergencies any day of the week.
• Occupancy of Government furnished housing may be required.
• Condition of employment: Must obtain a Colorado Veterinary license upon employment and maintain this license in good standing.
• Condition of employment: Must obtain and maintain a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration within six months of employment.
• *Additional Requirements located under qualifications*