Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Animal Caretaker

Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions are located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Poultry Research Unit,with 2 vacancies in Mississippi State, MS

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/17/2020 to 09/04/2020
Salary
$16.14 - $18.83 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 5
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Mississippi State, MS
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
5
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
ARS-S20Y-10888081-SL
Control number
576085400

Duties

Help
  • Performs animal caretaker duties including, observing animals, preparing feeds and liquids, and handling animals.
  • Oversees breeding or reproduction of animals according to their physical traits or to produce given numbers of animals.
  • Utilizes measuring instruments to perform the duties of an animal caretaker including, weighing scales, thermometers, pressure gauges, rulers/measuring tape, and water sight tubes..
  • Provides feed and liquids to animals according to specific instructions for special diets as directed by the supervisor or scientists.
  • Utilizes and maintains equipment to perform the duties of an animal caretaker including, tractor with loader, forklift, pallet jack, roto-tiller, hand tools, power tools, automatic feeding systems, grain augers, dump trailers, and incinerators.
  • Considers such factors as age, sex, and their general physical condition when determining such things as the amount and type of nesting materials that are required or when to dehorn, shear, or groom them.
  • Applies knowledge of the temperament of individual animals and skill to handle them or to perform such work as shearing or force feeding.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement:09/04/2020

Qualifications will be determined under the Job Element Rating System X-118C, Qualifications Standard Handbook. While a specific length of time and experience is not required for most Wage Grade positions, you must show through experience and training that you possess the best qualified level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of this position. Qualification requirements emphasize the quality of experience, not necessarily the length. The responses to the questionnaire and your resume should be in significant detail to provide the person rating your application with a good understanding of your ability to do the job, technical knowledge, work, and training experience, etc. (For example You must have the ability to perform the duties of a, Animal Caretaker without more than normal supervision (Screen Out)). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration.

Working Conditions:

  • Work is performed inside and outside. Outside work involves discomfort having to spend long periods of time in the sun, occasionally bad weather, and exposure to bites, scratches, and animal wastes. May be exposed to contagious diseases.
  • Inside work requires standing on damp concrete floors for long periods

Physical efforts:
  • Stands, walks, or stoops for extended periods and may be required to lift and carry materials weighing up to 100 pounds. Heavy physical effort may be exerted in restraining or moving large animals.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of two or three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

  • Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, specifications; other than blueprints
  • Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Dexterity And Safety
  • Knowledge of Materials
  • Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
  • Use of Measuring Instruments


Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Eligible applicants will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Applicants with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10888081

Agricultural Research Service

Find Solutions to Agricultural Problems that Affect Americans Every Day, From Field to Table.

Agency contact information

Mewael Teklehaimanot
Phone
703-259-9395
Email
Mewael.Teklehaimanot@usda.gov
Address
Agricultural Research Service
141 Experimental Station Road
Stoneville, MS 38776
US

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.