KEY REQUIREMENTS



• U.S. Citizenship

When activated, qualified NAHERC applicants become temporary employees of USDA-APHIS-Veterinary Services (VS). The length of appointments vary depending upon the emergency and the availability of the applicant. Over the years, veterinary professionals enrolled in the NAHERC have assisted the United Kingdom with its foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, Virginia with its low-pathogenic avian influenza control program, and the USDA-VS with the exotic newcastle disease eradication program. More than 200 NAHERC members have responded to requests for assistance. The purpose of this announcement is to recruit and enroll veterinary personnel interested in serving in the event of an outbreak or other animal disease event.

To qualify, you MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants can qualify by meeting the EDUCATION requirements specified below and/or the SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE requirements.

EDUCATION

GS-4: Successful completion of two full years of education above high school that included at least (12) semester hours of courses in zoology, biology, chemistry, or agricultural subjects.

GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least (24) semester hours of courses in the fields of: zoology, biology, chemistry, or agricultural subjects.

GS-6: Successful completion of nine (9) 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 sciences.

GS-7: 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 sciences.

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. For more information on submitting transcripts, click: Transcripts

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-4 GRADE LEVEL Applicants must have six months of general experience and six months of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the GS-3 level in the federal service. This experience is typically in, or related to, the work of the position being filled. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work:

• As a laborer, manager, or owner of a livestock ranch or farm involving direct work with livestock.

• With livestock in a feed lot.

• As a Livestock Market Inspector.

• As an Animal Welfare Inspector.

• As an assistant to a veterinarian who works with livestock.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-4/5/6/7 GRADE LEVELS Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the federal service. This experience is typically in, or related to, the work of the position being filled. Examples of qualifying specialized experience can be found at the following web address: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mrpbs/hr/job_opportunit ies/specialized_experience.shtml

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-4/5/6/7 GRADE LEVELS: 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. To learn more about combining education and experience for this series, click the following: Combining Education and Experience for Technical and Medical Support Positions If you are found qualified for this position, you will ONLY be considered at the grade level(s) for which you apply.

Special Conditions:

• As a condition of employment, a background investigation may be required for this position.

• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with the Selective Service.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Applications will be reviewed to confirm you possess the education and/or experience requirements described in the qualifications section. The optional skills questions asked through the application process are used only for skills matching purposes in the event of an emergency. Answering these questions will aid the NAHERC in effective and efficient activation of personnel.
To preview questions please click here.

Appointments are temporary not to exceed one year or less and may be terminated at any time. The length of appointments will vary depending upon need and applicant availability. The NAHERC temporary appointments do not receive the benefits associated with permanent competitive service employment. For example, you will not be eligible to receive health or life insurance. However, if you are activated you will be entitled to vacation and sick leave accrual.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Application for referral on the NAHERC roster is through the online submission of a USAJOBS resume, basic applicant information, voluntary responses to vacancy questions and submission of education documentation (i.e., transcripts, copy of diploma, etc.). Help in applying online is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time at the number listed in the Contact Information section of this announcement or you may e-mail: joinNAHERC@aphis.usda.gov. Free access to a computer is available through most public libraries or workforce centers. If you are looking for a computer, check your local listings for the library or workforce center closest to you. For instructions on using the on-line system click: APPLYING ON-LINE For information on how to submit your supporting documentation through our automated hiring system and/or print additional fax cover sheets click: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Click on the following links to see if the supporting documentation is applicable to you: Do I need to submit college transcripts? I attended school at a foreign university. Do I need to submit any additional documents? Critical Submission Requirements and Reminders

• The only documents you are required to submit for the NAHERC announcement are documents verifying you meet the education requirements.
• If you are unable to fax your education documentation, you may send it to the contact address listed in the Agency Contact section of this vacancy announcement. Mailed education documentation must include your name and the NAHERC-2012-0004 announcement number.
• Fax only documents which are clear and legible. Illegible faxed documents cannot be used for qualification or verification purposes.
• If you are placed on the NAHERC roster and you were qualified on the basis of an unofficial list of college courses or copies of diplomas, you MUST submit copies of official college transcripts BEFORE you may be activated during an emergency.
• Your application package must include an English translation of the foreign transcript.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

In the event of an emergency, qualified applicants will be referred for employment consideration. Emergencies are unpredictable. You may receive availability inquiries very soon, or it may be a year or longer before you are contacted. Consequently, it is very important that you update your online profile, as necessary. This will ensure our ability to contact you. You may check the status of your application on-line 24 hours a day through USAJOBS. Status updates will be available after 2-3 weeks. For instructions on checking your application status click : Checking My Application Status No additional correspondence will be sent.