Animal Care is pleased to announce the opening of one (1) Veterinary Medical Officer (Zoological Field Specialist)-GS-0701-13 position. This position may be located in Fort Collins, CO; Ames, IA; Raleigh, NC; or in a location negotiable after selection*. The mega announcement—advertising positions in Animal Care (1) and Veterinary Services (1)—opened today, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, and will remain open through Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

 *The incumbent may be extended the opportunity to remain in their current duty station, provided they are already assigned to an office and not located in the NCR.

The Zoological Field Specialist within the Center for Animal Welfare has nationwide responsibilities related to the humane care and treatment of zoological species, with a particular emphasis in marine mammals, used in either exhibition, research, or the animal trade, along with the proper transportation of the animal(s). 

The duties include industry and inspector education, evaluation of regulations and policies, inspection of problematic facilities, liaison with industry and other regulatory agencies at both the regional and national levels, and consultation on enforcement actions related to this area of expertise. The Zoological Field Specialist also serves as an ad hoc member of inspection teams when situations require onsite expertise. USDA is looking for someone with clinical experience as a zoological veterinarian, and with particular expertise in cetacean and other marine mammal welfare issues.

Please click the following link to view the announcement: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/864831500

Requirements

All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement outlined in the Education section below.

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:

Experience with statistical data in scientific fields (e.g., virology, ethology, ecology, epidemiology, animal nutrition) that impact animal welfare, and experience writing scientific and technical documents, briefing papers, publications, and presentations.
Analyzing and preparing for animal disease outbreaks through supporting diagnostic laboratory testing workflows and reporting.
Collaborating with internal customers and with various jurisdictions and organizations nationwide and internationally that impact animal welfare or animal disease outbreaks.

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.

TRANSCRIPTS are required. This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. this education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college or university.
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
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.

About USDA APHIS Animal Care

Animal Care is a vital program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We work every day to ensure the humane treatment of more than 1 million vulnerable animals nationwide. Our job is no small task. We enforce two important laws: the Animal Welfare Act and the Horse Protection Act. Through inspections and outreach, we work with thousands of breeders, dealers, and exhibitors; research facilities; transporters; dog importers; and managers of horse shows, exhibitions, and sales to make sure their animals receive care and treatment that meets Federal standards. We also provide national leadership—including advice, resources, and direct support—on the safety and well-being of pets and other animals during disasters. Our employees are experts in the field of animal welfare, with a passion for humane care and public service. Day in and day out, they bring their best to our mission of protection. If you want to make a difference, come find your future with us!

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