Veterinary Medical Officer (Epidemiology) - Veterinary Biologics Epidemiologist

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Ames, IA

10d

About The Position

The incumbent serves as a Veterinary Biologics Epidemiologist for an established number of veterinary biologics producers and importers, nationwide, for biologics inspection and control activities required in the enforcement of the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act and the pursuant rules and regulations. The incumbent serves as the Veterinary Biologics Epidemiologist investigating reports of adverse events (product monitoring and surveillance) relating to the use of veterinary biologics. Provides specialized expertise in areas requiring a quantitative approach to multidisciplinary issues, such as epidemiological investigations and surveillance of product performance. Develops, establishes, and manages a program of national surveillance strategies for monitoring the performance of a variety of US produced and imported vaccines. Organizes and coordinates epidemiological investigations of reported field problems associated with the use of veterinary biologics. Compiles, summarizes and analyzes all adverse event reports submitted by veterinary professionals, livestock animal producers, animal owners, and other regulatory officials to determine trends. Plans, organizes, and coordinates biologics program activities for a variety of vaccines, bacterins, antiserums, toxoids, diagnostics, transgenic plants and other biologics. Prepares and presents technical and general informational talks and training presentations on biologics program activities to government employees, university classes and the general public.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
• 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.
• The incumbent must recognize the need to maintain precautionary immunizations against certain pathogens or to avoid any area where work is being done with such materials.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
• 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: Investigating adverse event reports related to the use of veterinary biologics, including the analysis of data, and the use of databases, such as PV Works.
• Analyzing pharmacovigilance information and communicating that information with the public, stakeholder groups, other agency officials, or staff through written documentation such as regulations, memorandums, policy documents, or published papers.
• Investigating or inspecting documents and/or procedures to ensure compliance with the Virus Serum Toxin Act, and the regulations in Title 9 Code of Federal regulations Parts - 101-118, regarding the quality of vaccines and other biological products for animals.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Investigating reports of adverse events (product monitoring and surveillance) relating to the use of veterinary biologics.
• Providing specialized expertise in areas requiring a quantitative approach to multidisciplinary issues, such as epidemiological investigations and surveillance of product performance.
• Developing, establishing, and managing a program of national surveillance strategies for monitoring the performance of a variety of US produced and imported vaccines.
• Organizing and coordinating epidemiological investigations of reported field problems associated with the use of veterinary biologics.
• Compiling, summarizing and analyzing all adverse event reports submitted by veterinary professionals, livestock animal producers, animal owners, and other regulatory officials to determine trends.
• Planning, organizing, and coordinating biologics program activities for a variety of vaccines, bacterins, antiserums, toxoids, diagnostics, transgenic plants and other biologics.
• Preparing and presenting technical and general informational talks and training presentations on biologics program activities to government employees, university classes and the general public.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree