Animal Health Technician Job in Athens, GA

Vacancy No. ARS-S25SEA-12795531-HCL Department Agricultural Research Service
Salary $42,651.00 to $68,686.00 Grade 5 to 7
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/15/2025 Close Date 9/26/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Athens, GA


Summary

This position is located within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. National Poultry Research Center in Athens, Georgia.

The primary purpose of this position is to assist the Attending Veterinarian by performing duties in the areas of animal resources acquisition and management, veterinary technician and animal care, quality management, and training.

Duties

  • Evaluates normal temperatures, respiratory rates, heart rates, and basic blood values of common domestic and laboratory birds.
  • Assists Veterinarians, scientists and/or technical staff in handling animals and participating during experimental studies.
  • Follows all applicable safety and biosafety requirements, rules, and policies to prevent job related injuries and the transmission of animal diseases.
  • Collects biological specimens such as blood, feces, feathers, tissues, oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs, and culture samples from animals or animal facilities.
  • Maintains equipment and supplies to be used for veterinary care.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Males born 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 Motor Vehicle Driver’s License is required.
  • SAC and full background investigation required for positions working with Select Agents or in BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities.
  • Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks or respirators, boots, gloves, and coveralls may be required.

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.

GS-05: Applicants must meet one of the following to be qualified at the GS-05 grade level:

Specialized Experience - One year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-05 level are:
  • Observing an experiment or research project related to the poultry species; and
  • Assisting with collecting various non-biological samples from poultry and poultry facilities for testing (e.g. poultry feed, swabs from equipment); and
  • Operating equipment and supplies used in veterinary care or animal research.
OR
Education: 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 such as zoology, biology, chemistry, or agricultural subjects.
OR
A combination of education and specialized experience as described above.

GS-06: Applicants must meet one of the following to be qualified at the GS-06 grade level:

Specialized Experience - One year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-06 level are:
  • Assisting in an experiment or research project related to the poultry species; and
  • Assisting with collecting biological specimen from poultry (i.e. feathers, blood, feces); and
  • Operating equipment and supplies used in veterinary care of research animals such as poultry.
OR
Education: Successful completion of one full year of graduate level education directly related to the duties of the position. Related education may include animal science, poultry science, or a similar biological degree with a focus on poultry.
OR
A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above.

GS-07: Applicants must meet one of the following to be qualified at the GS-07 grade level:

Specialized Experience - One year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-07 level are:
  • Participating in an experiment or research project related to the poultry species; and
  • Maintaining and interpreting data collected from poultry species research; and
  • Independently collecting biological specimen from poultry (i.e. feathers, blood, feces, tissue); and
  • Reviewing and advising on animal orders, taking into consideration space availability, equipment, animal care, species suitability, staff and experience.
OR
Education: Successful completion of one full year of graduate level education directly related to the duties of the position. Related education may include animal science, poultry science, or a similar biological degree with a focus on poultry.
OR
A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above.

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.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Additional Conditions of Employment:
PPE provides necessary protection against biological and chemical hazards but may increase the risk of accidents due to decreased vision, hampered communication, limited mobility and dexterity. Physical well-being may be compromised by the prolonged usage of the PPE, which may lead to labored respiration, heat stress and dehydration. Strict agent safety regulations are applied to prevent the escape of animal pathogens from the work environment. The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations.

Physical Demands:
The incumbent spends 20-30% of the time at a desk. The remaining time is spent performing activities involving the collection of biological specimens and the observation and treatment of newly received animals. Moderate to heavy physical exertion may be required to move equipment, feed bags (50 lb.), and carcasses. Stooping, bending, reaching, and active walking are required.

Working Environment:
The work is performed in an office, indoor and outdoor animal holding facilities, necropsy rooms, and laboratories. Temperature extremes are common. Exposure to disagreeable odors, working around frightened and unpredictable animals, and exposure to the risks and hazards of harmful biological, chemical, and physical agents are possible. This includes working in biosecurity animal housing facilities which require special precautions and close coordination of personnel, animals, equipment, and facility safety controls. The incumbent may be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks or respirators, boots, gloves, and coveralls when providing care to animals that represent a potential source of zoonotic disease or other biohazards. Various forms of respiratory protection equipment must be worn when working with certain infectious agents, chemicals, and animal allergens. Certain environments may also necessitate the use of hearing protection.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of job offer.

If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of two or three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

  • Animal Husbandry
  • Applies Technology to Tasks
  • Research


Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you (a) meet minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12795531

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

  • Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications.
  • If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
  • If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
  • If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS.
  • Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.

To begin, click "Apply" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.

NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded resumes must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.

Agency contact information

Heather Lee
Address
Agricultural Research Service
141 Experimental Station Road
Stoneville, MS 38776
US

Next steps

Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status.

You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to Candace.Jacobs@usda.gov, subject line: Fair Chance Act.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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