Animal Health Technician (Animal Identification Coordinator)

Summary

This position provides assistance to their assigned District and geographic territory with the animal identification program. It performs animal identification duties and provides program planning and problem-solving advice in this area.

Duties

• •The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• •Gather information from the various individuals and organizations that owned or handled the animals prior to their being identified as a reactors.
• •Traces the movement of the animals back to the herd of origin.
• •Reviews data to determine program effectiveness, to identify problem areas, and to detect trends or developments.
• •Standardizes the program, initiates measures to reach established program goals, and monitors all activities in support of the animal identification program.
• •Explains to affected parties the requirements of the animal identification program and enlist their voluntary compliance through a better understanding of the program requirements.
• •Observes/monitors contract or fee basis personnel to assure that they are performing work as agreed to in the contract or fee basis agreements.
• •Periodically reviews inventory of supplies and equipment used in the animal identification programs to ensure sufficient inventory for effective program operation.

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. FOR THE GS-08 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Using animal traceability procedures to identify herd of origin for infected animals. Coordinating with other federal and state officials and veterinarians, slaughter plant and market employees, livestock industry representatives, and others in order to perform work. Examining documents and forms to ensure that information is complete and accurate and following up if there are discrepancies or missing information. OR Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two years of progressively higher level graduate level education leading to such a degree obtained from an accredited college or university. Qualifying graduate courses include: agribusiness, agricultural chemistry, agricultural development, agricultural economics, agricultural education, animal breeding, animal genetics, animal health, animal nutrition, animal physiology, animal products, animal reproduction, animal science, animal toxicology, animal welfare, biological and agricultural engineering, beef cattle production, dairy herd management, dairy marketing, equine production, farm management, feeding management, meat science, physiology of lactation, poultry science, ruminant nutrition, swine production, and wildlife and fisheries sciences.. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-08 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.