Veterinary Medical Officer

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Alberta; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A federal agency focused on animal welfare is seeking a Veterinary Medical Officer to enforce compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and Horse Protection Act. This role involves conducting inspections, assessing treatment of animals, and providing professional guidance to ensure animal welfare standards are upheld. Candidates must be U.S. citizens with a valid driver's license and pass a background check.

Qualifications

• Must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory background check.
• Valid state driver's license at application.
• Enrollment in Continuous Vetting required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-licensing inspections and follow-up inspections.
• Assess overall treatment of animals at inspected facilities.
• Evaluate qualifications of facility personnel.
• Prevent unnecessary pain in research animals.
• Represent the Agency in discussions promoting Animal Welfare.

Job description

Overview

As a Veterinary Medical Officer, you will work for Animal Care's Animal Welfare Operations with geographic responsibility for the compliance and enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act and the Horse Protection Act.

Responsibilities

• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Schedules and completes all pre-licensing inspections, routine periodic inspections, deficiency follow-up inspections, and special investigations needed in response to leads received on violations.
• Provides a broad professional assessment of the overall treatment of animals at inspected facilities, consistent with the spirit of the Animal Welfare Act.
• Evaluates the qualifications of research facility professionals to assure that they have the experience to deal with the management and care of animals located in their facility.
• Assures that unnecessary pain and distress in research animals is prevented by the proper use of anesthetics, analgesics, tranquilizers, and euthanasia.
• Reviews structural and living conditions of research facilities, and reminds facility officials of their authority and responsibilities.
• Enforces the Horse Protection Act, following uniform procedures when inspecting horse shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions.
• Evaluates the Animal Care and Horse Protection programs to determine their effectiveness, and advise management, in the form of veterinary medical or program procedural modifications.
• Represents the Agency at meetings of industry and other concerned public and private groups and individuals to promote the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection programs.
• Provides technical guidance on inspection related matters such as veterinary care, husbandry, and handling to Animal Care Inspectors.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male 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/
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
• Selectee is required to successfully participate in and clear the medical surveillance program annually to safeguard against health and safety risks due to occupational and/or environmental exposure or demands.