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Student Trainee (Veterinary)

Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Inspection Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

For more information on the FSIS Adel A. Malak Scholarship email Adel.A.MalakScholarship@usda.gov.

After agreeing to the conditions of the internship by signing all applicable agreements, the student selected will begin receiving tuition benefits at the start of the Fall 2023 semester.

PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy will close at 11:59 pm ET on the closing date.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
01/09/2023 to 01/23/2023
Salary
$46,696 to - $74,250 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Location
15 vacancies in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Internships
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - Work Schedules vary depending on student's schedule (full-time or part-time).
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12 - Student Trainee position has a promotion potential of GS-09. Upon conversion, permanent position has a promotion potential of GS-12.
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
FSIS-23-MALAK-11788147-JM
Control number
698543400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current students who have been accepted for enrollment or who are enrolled at least half-time in accredited high school, college, professional, technical, vocational, or trade school pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate.

Duties

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  • These positions are Excepted Service appointments in the FSIS Office of Field Operations (OFO), which is the frontline in inspecting meat, poultry, and processed egg products.
  • Employees coordinate inspection/enforcement activities in more than 6,000 federally inspected establishments nationwide, as well as at import establishments, ensuring that the products that FSIS regulates are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled.
  • This office also is responsible for ensuring that the regulated product that is imported into the United States meets our standards, and that the regulated product that is exported to other nations meets the standards that they have set forth.
  • As a Student Trainee (Veterinary) you will:
  • Assist in the examination of livestock and poultry for the purpose of detecting diseases or abnormalities which would render the meat unfit for human food purposes.
  • Work with line inspectors to perform visual, tactile and incisory inspections of heads, viscera, carcasses, and edible offal.
  • Assist in making dispositions on abnormal animals/carcasses/birds retained for veterinary examination. These dispositions will include infectious diseases, neoplasms, trauma, contamination, poisonings, residues, metabolic disorders, etc.
  • Assist a program veterinarian in performing activities to verify that animals are handled and treated humanely.
  • Observe conditions in the plant to ensure the plant is following its Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs).
  • Observe conditions in the plant to ensure that sanitary conditions meet prescribed requirements.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • All requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Must meet Pathways Program requirements.
  • A signed participant agreement is required for employment under Pathways.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or Foreign National Eligible.
  • Subject to successful completion of pre-employment medical examination.
  • Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you may be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report inquiry.
  • Colleges must be a registered Entity in the System for Award Management.
  • Accepted for or currently enrolled in a qualified educational institution.
  • Must provide transcripts that support the qualifications.
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Must be in good academic standing as defined by the educational institution.
  • Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
  • Your Pathways duty station will be determined by the agency and will be based on where you reside during the summer months and school breaks.
  • Your schedule during the academic year is negotiable. During school breaks and summers, travel to/from the official duty station and housing expenses, will be at the student's expense.
  • Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Qualifications

To qualify at the GS-7 grade level: Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or equivalent) towards earning a DVM at a school or college of Veterinary Medicine OR Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) after completing a bachelor's degree. S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.

1. Class standing. Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.

2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.). Applicants must have a grade-point average of:

  • 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
  • 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
  • Class standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class of the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
  • Must have at least one academic year of study Veterinary Medicine remaining.
  • Students must be currently enrolled in a U.S. accredited college degree seeking Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program or have been accepted to a U.S. accredited college in a degree seeking DVM program for the 2023 Fall semester or Students must be in their final year of a Master's program and have been accepted for the 2023 Fall semester in a U.S. accredited college degree seeking DVM program.
3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society. Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed below. These honor societies are listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (external link). Agencies considering eligibility based on any society not included in the following list must ensure that the honor society meets the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision.

To qualify for the GS-7, Must submit required transcript(s) that show AT LEAST one of the conditions below:
  • One academic year of graduate education
  • Bachelor's degree (all 4 years), if qualifying for S.A.A. must show GPA and/or academic standing or honor society.

To qualify at the GS-9 grade level: Completion of 2 academic years of graduated level education, or a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree.

To qualify for the GS-9, Must submit required transcript(s) that show AT LEAST one of the conditions below:
  • 2 academic years of graduate education
  • Master's degree
  • Equivalent Master's degree
  • Must have at least one academic year of study in Veterinary Medicine remaining.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
ALL applicants must be in good academic standing.
ALL Students MUST submit proof of current enrollment or provide proof of acceptance and or enrollment in a U.S. accredited college degree seeking Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program for the 2023 Fall semester with their application by 11:59pm, the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
ALL academic degrees of course work must be completed in an educational institution that has obtained accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council of Education. For more info click here

***Applications will not be considered without this documentation ***
  • A Pathways Participant Agreement and Food Safety Inspection Service Memorandum of Understanding will be required if you are selected for a position. These agreements must be signed by all applicable parties prior to entrance on duty.
  • Scholarship recipients will be required to sign a Service Agreement acknowledging they will work in the FSIS, Office of Field Operations (OFO) for every year they accept scholarship funding, not to exceed 4 years after they have been converted to a career or career conditional appointment as a Public Health Veterinarian (PHV). This agreement must be signed by the scholarship recipient prior to entrance on duty.
  • If selected for the Adel A. Malak Scholarship, students must be enrolled for the Fall 2023 semester on a full-time basis.
  • This Internship/Scholarship confers eligibility for a noncompetitive conversion to a permanent or term position in the competitive service contingent upon meeting all applicable Internship Program requirements and the needs of the agency. You will be considered for conversion to a permanent or term position upon the successful completion of your Internship. However, please note that eligibility for conversion does not guarantee the agency will opt for conversion.
  • Schedule will be determined when student is selected.
  • Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.
  • Satisfactory completion and favorable adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Travel occurs on an occasional basis and visits to remote locations or isolated rural areas may be required where you may be subject to regular and recurring risks associated with working around animals.
  • May require use of protective equipment.
  • Must submit unofficial transcript(s) for course work that supports the qualifications of this announcement. Official transcript(s) will be required, if applicant is selected for a position.
  • If you are a student veteran, complete the questionnaire and submit documentation: DD-214, VA Letter, SF-15 if claiming 10-point Veterans' preference or DD-214 if claiming 5-point preference or VEOA eligibility (separated under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous service)
To qualify for the USDA Pathways Internship Program/FSIS Adel A . Malak Scholarship, you MUST meet the Selective Placement Factor and all Qualification Requirements by the closing date of the announcement. The following Selective Placement Factor (SPF) requirement is being used to determine whether an applicant fully qualifies for this position. Therefore, it is MANDATORY that all applicants meet this requirement in order to receive further consideration for this job vacancy. Applicants are required to submit transcripts as outlined below and proof of enrollment, if current enrollment is not identified on the transcripts to support the selective placement factor. If requirements are not met, you will be determined as not eligible.

Applicants who fail to meet the Selective Placement Factor may lose further consideration. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: Students must be currently enrolled in a U.S. accredited college degree seeking Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program or has been accepted. To see a list of AVMA accredited colleges, click Accredited Colleges. All colleges must also be a registered Entity in the System for Award Management.

Education

COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS: You MUST submit a copy of your college transcripts which show the following:

  • Your Field of Study
  • School Name
  • Student's Name
  • Current GPA or Academic Standing
  • Past and Current Course Work
  • Degree Program
  • Major/Concentration.
An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if selected, an official college transcript will be required prior to entering on duty.

Additional information

What Does the FSIS Adel A. Malak Internship Program Offer?

  • $15,000 scholarship funding for tuition, books, tutors and lab fees awarded for each year in the program
  • Paid employment during summer and school breaks as a Veterinary Student Trainee while you complete your DVM. Work schedule during the academic year is negotiable
  • Work 640 hours to meet Pathways Programs requirements for conversion. Conversion without further competition to a permanent appointment with FSIS upon successful completion of the program with a DVM degree, training and Pathways Program requirement(s)
  • Comprehensive mentorship and professional development program
  • Participation in Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan (401K plan)
  • Paid vacation & sick leave
Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation.

Relocation expenses are not authorized.

This announcement may be used to fill additional like vacancies should any occur in the announced duty location(s).

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact: USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. See more information here.

Pre-Employment Physical: This position requires a pre-employment physical. Position Requirements.

Functional Requirements and Environmental Factors: Please click on the following link to see information regarding the Functional Requirements and Environmental Factors positions.

Promotion Potential: 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.

Your Pathways duty station will be determined by the agency and will be based on where you reside during the summer months and school breaks.

Your schedule during the academic year is negotiable. During school breaks and summers, travel to/from the official duty station and housing expenses, will be at the student's expense.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Upon conversion, the employee may be assigned supervisory duties.

PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy will close at 11:59 pm ET on the closing date; priority will be given to the first 200 applicants.

Veterans Information: Click here

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education and training you described in your application package.

We will review your application, including the online Occupational Questionnaire, to ensure you meet the job requirements and assess your ability to perform this job. Before any certificate can be issued to the selecting official, the resume and supporting documents are reviewed by a Human Resources Specialist to ensure that (a) minimum qualification requirements are met and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your answers will be verified against information provided in your online resume and application. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position.

You will also be assessed on the following competencies:
Animal Husbandry, Attention to Detail, Interpersonal Skills, Pathology, and Reasoning

Applicants who meet basic eligibility criteria will be referred in an unranked list in the following manner:

Preference eligibles having a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more are considered FIRST, followed, SECOND, by other 10-point preference eligibles, THIRD, by 5-point preference eligibles, and, LAST, by non-preference eligibles. Within each category, applicants from the reemployment list will be placed ahead of applicants from the regular employment list.

If referred you will be contacted via email (USAJOBs account) to submit supplemental information and documentation. This must be received by the deadline that will be provided to you in a separate email after this job announcement closes. Once received a subject matter expert may contact you to conduct an interview and review your resume and other application materials to determine your qualifications based on the required competencies. Please ensure that your resume and supplemental documentation highlights accomplishments that demonstrate possession of the required competencies.

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 can/will be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you.

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 Online" button to the right.

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