Animal Health Technician

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Alabama; On-site; USD 45,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA APHIS is seeking a Federal position to support the Veterinary Services Field Operations, focusing on importing/exporting livestock and related records. The role emphasizes animal health monitoring, documentation accuracy, and coordination of international movement under federal regulations.

Responsibilities include monitoring import workflows, data entry, providing guidance to importers on forms and health certificates, and ensuring compliance across agencies.

Qualifications

• Working with animals in a feedlot, farm, or ranch setting or veterinary setting.
• Documenting data and conclusions for formal reports.
• Assessing health and welfare problems of animals.

Responsibilities

• Creates, organizes, and ensures completeness of animal import records.
• Monitors and manages import request and animal release workflow and associated documentation within a web-based Veterinary Services import management system.
• Collects and enters animal import data into required information technology systems.
• Receives calls from veterinarians, importers, exporters, brokers, drivers, and job applicants; furnishes information on port operations and Agency regulations.
• Provides necessary advice and assistance to importers regarding forms, health certificates, routings, and procedures.
• Assists with administering the export program by ensuring files and records are complete and current.
• Inspects livestock moving in international commerce for disease signs and regulatory compliance.
• Oversees and performs disinfection of premises and vehicles used in transportation of imported and diseased livestock and poultry.

Skills

Animal handling

Data reporting

Health assessment

Education

18 semester hours of related graduate education

Graduate courses in agriculture/animal health

Job description

Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service

Job Summary

You will be responsible for day-to-day operation of a broad range of duties in support of programs to facilitate trade and prevent the spread of animal diseases through exportation or importation of live animals, animal byproducts, biological materials, and organisms. Your work with Veterinary Services(VS), Field Operations, will apply technical solutions to control, prevent, and eradicate animal diseases while facilitating international trade.

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. FOR THE GS-06 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Working with animals in a feedlot, farm, or ranch setting or veterinary setting. Documenting data and conclusions for formal reports. Assessing health and welfare problems of animals. OR Successful completion of eighteen (18) semester hours of related graduate education obtained from an accredited college or university. Qualifying graduate courses include: agribusiness, agricultural chemistry, agricultural development, agricultural economics, agricultural education, animal breeding, animal genetics, animal health, animal nutrition, animal physiology, animal products, animal reproduction, animal science, animal toxicology, animal welfare, biological and agricultural engineering, beef cattle production, dairy herd management, dairy marketing, equine production, farm management, feeding management, meat science, physiology of lactation, poultry science, ruminant nutrition, swine production, and wildlife and fisheries science. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-06 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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.

Major Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.

• Creates, organizes, and ensures completeness of animal import records.
• Monitors and manages import request and animal release workflow and associated documentation within a web-based Veterinary Services import management system.
• Collects and enters animal import data into required information technology systems.
• Receives various office calls from veterinarians, importers, exporters, brokers, drivers, and job applicants; furnishes information on port operations as well as Agency regulations as needed.
• Provides necessary advice and assistance to importers regarding forms, health certificates, routings, and various other forms and procedures, as needed.
• Assists with administering the export program by ensuring that all files, reference materials, databases, records, directives, and requirements are complete, correct and current.
• Inspects livestock moving in international commerce for visible evidence of disease, external parasites, and compliance with Federal and State regulations pertaining to international movement.
• Oversees and performs the disinfection of premises and vehicles used in transportation of imported and diseased livestock and poultry.

Position Start Date

11/04/2026

Position Close Date

11/10/2026

Salary Offered

45409 - 68078 USD Per Year

You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! APIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS.