Animal Health Technician

U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Front Royal (VA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at the forefront of homeland security, where your expertise as an Animal Health Technician will make a significant impact on the health and welfare of service canines. In this role, you will perform essential medical treatments and procedures, ensuring the well-being of these vital members of the team. This position offers a competitive salary and the chance to work in a supportive environment committed to excellence. If you are passionate about animal health and eager to contribute to national security, this opportunity is tailored for you.

Qualifications

• Must be a registered veterinary technician under Virginia law.
• 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08 level required.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical treatments and procedures for service canines.
• Assist with veterinary examinations and medication administration.

Skills

Veterinary Technician License

Veterinary laboratory equipment

Medical record tracking

X-ray operation

Canine behavior consultation

Education

Graduate education in zoology

Graduate education in biology

Graduate education in chemistry

Graduate education in agricultural subjects

Tools

Veterinary laboratory equipment

X-ray equipment

Job description

Organizational Location:

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Training and Development, Field Operations Canine Academy, located in Front Royal, VA.

Duties

Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Training and Development will allow you to use your expertise to support the health and welfare of service canines. This position starts at a salary of $69,923.00 (GS-09, Step 1) to $90,898.00 (GS-09, Step 10).

In this Animal Health Technician position, you will become a key member of a team of homeland security professionals responsible for performing a variety of medical treatments and procedures related to the care of canines. Typical work assignments include:

Requirements

Qualifications

Veterinary Technician License: Animal Health Technician (AHT) must be a registered veterinary technician under the standards of the Virginia Veterinarian Medical Association and must adhere to the state's laws/regulations.

Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-09 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Assisting with the use of various veterinary laboratory equipment for examinations and administering medications.
• Providing advice and recommendations to medical staff/administrators on behavior and medical issues concerning various canine breeds.
• Using various systems in tracking data for medical records, reports, and charts.
• Assisting with the operation of X-ray equipment in a medical setting.

Note: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

Education Substitution: Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree in a field directly related to the position, e.g., zoology, biology, chemistry, or agricultural subjects. One year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1-year full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.

Combining Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience are also qualifying. To combine education and experience, determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level. Then determine your education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.

Experience includes paid and unpaid work, volunteer work through programs like Peace Corps or AmeriCorps, and other organizations. Volunteer work can build critical skills and provide valuable experience that translates to paid employment. Credit is given for all qualifying experience, including volunteer work.

You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable, with verification at any stage of the application process by 05/12/2025.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers to current or former political appointees. If you are or have been within the last 5 years a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee employee, disclose this to Human Resources.

Background Investigation

CBP requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation to promote its core values of vigilance, service, and integrity. During screening, questions about criminal convictions, drug use, and controlled substances will be asked. For more info, visit: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Residency

Applicants must have resided in the U.S. or its protectorates for at least three of the last five years. Exceptions can be requested if you've been abroad for more than two of the last five years, under certain conditions such as working for the U.S. government, participating in a U.S.-sponsored study abroad, or supporting the U.S. government as a contractor, intern, or volunteer.

Probationary Period

New federal employees must serve a one-year probationary period. Current or former federal employees may also be required to serve or complete this period.