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Research Veterinary Medical Officer (Pathology)

Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
Zoonotic and Emerging Disease Research Unit (ZEDRU),

Summary

This position works in the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), Zoonotic and Emerging Disease Research Unit (ZEDRU).

The Research Scientist Veterinary Medical Officer (Pathologist) conducts basic and applied research on the mechanisms and characterizes immune responses against viral pathogens such as the viral ecology of Henipaviruses in endemic settings and intervention strategies to prevent their spread to domestic animals.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/11/2026 to 03/12/2026
Salary
$89,508 to - $192,331 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Manhattan, KS
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
NCS/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
ARS-DH26PA-12875401-KLH
Control number
856095300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

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Duties

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  • Provide leadership in selecting the research path for studies on susceptible species including swine, cattle, and other animal models.
  • Serve as Authorized Departmental Officer's Designated Representative (ADODR) for Specific Cooperative Agreements with collaborating research institutes and as team leader of assigned projects within the research project.
  • Identify and propose productive research areas, perform independent research, and collaborate with scientists from within the ARS and from academia and private industry to best achieve the research objectives.
  • Provide unique leadership and research skills to contribute to the identification, description, and characterization of the effects of zoonotic pathogens in livestock.
  • Develop molecular, clinical, and post mortem techniques to understand virus-host interactions, and to develop methods or therapies to minimize or avoid infection and disease.
  • Organize research, establish research priorities, lead in planning research projects, supervise execution of research, evaluate and review research, lead discussions on the interpretation of results, and report and publish research progress.
  • Assures the studies of this Research Unit meet the highest standards of animal welfare and address the highest priorities of the animal industry, action agencies, and other user groups.
  • Serve as the Chief Veterinary Pathologist for ZEDRU.

Requirements

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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. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
  • 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/
  • Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) database check required for work involving Biological Select Agents and Toxins.
  • This is a Public Trust Position and requires that the incumbent be a United States Citizen.
  • Must be registered and accepted into the Select Agent and Toxin program mandated by the Center for Disease Control/United States Department of Agriculture as appropriate to the position’s assignments.
  • As a condition of employment, a security background investigation will be conducted and the requirements listed above must be met.
  • A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities.
  • For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF which are transmissible to humans may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the FDA.
  • Where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for investigational purposes, such immunization is voluntary.
  • Must also pass periodic fitness for duty physicals. In addition, a medical clearance will be required in the event that it becomes necessary to enter an area where an air purifying respirator or other respiratory protection is required.
  • Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at NBAF, biosafety protocols specify a personal quarantine for employees working on specific infectious agents in designated areas of NBAF.
  • As a condition for employment, all personnel entering these areas at NBAF shall not be in contact with specific susceptible animals and their premises away from NBAF for a period of five (5) days after leaving the area.
  • Currently, restricted species are cattle, sheep, goats, deer, other ruminants, and swine. Contact with horses, birds and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working near infectious agents affecting these species.
  • Participation in and adherence to the facility’s Occupational Health Program; Participation in and adherence to the facility’s Personal Reliability Program;
  • The ability to obtain/maintain a Security clearance; The ability to obtain/maintain Select Agent clearance. SAC and full background investigation required for positions working in BSL- 3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL-3/BSL-4 Facilities.

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.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Positions in the GS-0701 series must meet basic qualifications as found in the Education section below.

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, Specialized Experience must also be met. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are:

FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

  • Conducting research related to infectious animal diseases;
  • Analyzing experimental data and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; and
  • Presenting research findings at professional meetings.
OR Successful completion of a Master's degree 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 other sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.
OR RESIDENCY/POST GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of two years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting the completion of this program.

FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Planning and conducting research focused on infectious animal diseases;
  • Analyzing experimental data and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals;
  • Developing animal models;
  • Presenting research at local and national scientific meetings; and
  • Developing and executing analytical techniques used to detect animal disease pathogens.
OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of a PhD degree 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 other sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.
OR RESIDENCY/POST GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of three years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting the completion of this program.
OR BOARD CERTIFICATION FOR THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Specialty boards that are recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) certify eligible candidates as specialists in specific veterinary medical fields. Veterinarians who successfully complete all requirements for Diplomate status in an ABVS-recognized veterinary specialty organization may qualify for the GS-13 grade level. Applicants should provide a certificate or letter documenting their diplomate status.

FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Planning, conducting, and leading research focused on infectious animal disease;
  • Analyzing experimental data and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals;
  • Developing new analytical techniques to study virus-vector-host interactions of foreign animal disease pathogens;
  • Presenting research results at national and international scientific meetings; managing funds on research grants; and
  • Ensuring the development of well-trained scientific and technical staff.

FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-14 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Developing and leading an interdisciplinary, collaborative research program focused on the prevention and control of foreign animal diseases in livestock animals;
  • Publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals;
  • Presenting research results at national and international scientific meetings;
  • Developing new analytical techniques to study virus-vector-host interactions of foreign animal disease pathogens; managing funds on research grants; and
  • Developing collaborative relationships with government officials, scientific organizations, and internal and external industry stakeholders to coordinate research efforts and validate research results.

Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-14 or GS-15 grade levels.

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.

To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications.

Education

BASIC REQUIREMENT: 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 website has a listing of all AVMA-accredited veterinary medical schools. AVMA website: https://www.avma.org

OR Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools that are not accredited by the AVMA Council on Education must meet one of the following requirements:
a) Proof of certification of their final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG);
b) 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); OR
c) 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. An AVMA-accredited veterinary medical school or college must have accepted the 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).

In addition, 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:
a) 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.
b) 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
c) 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.

Graduates of foreign veterinary medical programs must submit test results with their application. Results of more than one test or testing session cannot be combined to meet the standard.

Waiver Provision: English language proficiency assessments may be waived for qualified job applicants whose native language is English (i.e., the official or common language of an individuals country of birth is English) who submit a diploma or other official documentation as proof of graduation from a high (secondary) school where the entire curriculum and educational programs were taught in the English language for the entire 3 or 4 years of full-time attendance.

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 well qualified, which means having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies that exceed the minimum qualification requirements for this position. CTAP/ICTAP applicants may be required to take a manual assessment and must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

Student Loan Repayment Program and 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.

Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given a new appointment to the civil service.

This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.

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.

Other Significant Factors
This position is required to work in a biosafety level 3/4Ag environment where high threat livestock biologic agents can be transmitted by aerosol. Must demonstrate the physical and psychological capability to conduct normal duties that are appropriate to their position. To prevent the transmission of disease out of biocontainment and retention of the position, must meet the following medical standards in a pre-employment medical examination conducted after the receipt of a preliminary job offer and on a periodic basis:

  • Ability to shower out of biocontainment one or more times per day and:
    • Not have any skin condition which would prevent this;
    • Body piercings must be able to be removed prior to entry;
    • External medical assist devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering biocontainment, and the individual must still be able to shower out safely without assistance.
  • Ability to follow instructions regarding decontamination from biocontainment.
  • Any medical condition which could create an unsafe environment for the individual or his/her co-workers, such as:
    • Insufficient control of a medical disorder which could result in sudden loss of consciousness;
    • Inadequate vision and hearing required for safety in a laboratory environment.
Work is performed in a biological containment laboratory operating under rigid Agency Safety Rules and Regulations (for example, requiring at least one daily hygienic shower.) Risks involve working with or being exposed to radioactive material, possible contagious diseases, chemicals, and possible burns from autoclaves and sterilizers, and possible injury working with and around laboratory equipment.

Restricted livestock or other restricted animals may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where the quarantine cannot be enforced.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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 for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
This is a Direct Hire Authority position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veterans' preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.

Note: All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated by a resume. If, upon review, it is determined that your resume and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be removed from consideration.

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/12875401

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