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Animal Caretaker

Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
US National Poultry Research Center, Location Support Staff
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located within the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US National Poultry Research Center, Location Support Staff in Athens, Georgia.

In this position, you will be responsible for observing, handling, feeding, and caring for poultry. You will also conduct breeding or reproduction of poultry according to their physical traits.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
06/25/2025 to 07/02/2025
Salary
$21.18 to - $27.58 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 4 - 5
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Athens, GA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Driving a government-owned vehicle within the local area to feed and tractor supply stores, the landfill, etc. is required.
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
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
ARS-S25SEA-12746051-HCL
Control number
839361100

Duties

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  • Observe poultry for obvious changes of appearance and activity.
  • Provide standard feeds and liquids.
  • Lift and carry feed materials weighing up to 50-75 pounds and handles such items as feed trays weighing up to 20 pounds repetitively.
  • Utilize knowledge of sex/maturity, and the normal appearance and activities of poultry to recognize obvious changes such as excessive loss of feathers, fighting, or refusal to eat/drink.
  • Catch and handle agile animals.

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 1-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/.
  • Valid Motor Vehicles Driver’s License is required.
  • Pre-employment Physical Examination is required.
  • Working on weekends and holidays is required.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. 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 an Animal Caretaker without more than normal supervision (Screen Out). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration.

WG-04 Physical Effort
Work requires lifting and carrying feed materials weighing up to 50 pounds and handling such items as feed trays weighing up to 20 pounds repetitively.

WG-04 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.

WG-05 Physical Effort
Stands, walks, or stoops for extended periods and may be required to lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds on a regular basis. Heavy physical effort may be exerted occasionally.

WG-05 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.

Education

This position 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.

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.

This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

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 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 (a) meet 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.

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/12746051

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