Animal Health Technician Job in Manhattan, KS

Vacancy No. ARS-S25PA-12805079-EA Department Agricultural Research Service
Salary $55,328.00 to $79,443.00 Grade 8 to 9
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/22/2025 Close Date 9/26/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Manhattan, KS


Summary

These positions are located within the USDA, Agriculture Research Service (ARS), National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, KS.

In this position, you will collaborate with a motivated, innovative, and dedicated team of animal caretakers to provide safe and humane husbandry, technical and research support toward the NBAF mission for a variety of animals to include traditional and non-traditional laboratory animals with a focus on livestock models.




Duties

  • Duties listed represent the full performance level of the position
  • Works with an off-site contractor in obtaining, conditioning, examining, and ensuring the health and welfare for animals being prepared to be transported into an ABSL-3 and ABSL-3Ag, or ABSL-4/4Ag facility.
  • Works with a wide range of animals such as cattle, pigs, horses, and laboratory animals.
  • Prepares and dispenses prescription medication according to veterinarian instructions or in accordance with the animal care and use protocol.
  • Inspects and gathers samples and data on the health of the animals; identifies and appraises any animal illnesses or diseases and then determines if animal(s) should be eliminated.
  • Participates in facility stand-up in preparation for animal research.
  • Follows strict containment, sanitary or sterile procedures when working with the animals.
  • Identifies any quarantine restrictions and takes appropriate action. Keeps records of any animals with signs of diseases, injury, and abnormal behavior.
  • As required, transports the animals to NBAF operating a truck pulling a livestock trailer.
  • Collects blood and other body fluids, feces, urine, tissues or secretions, and culture samples using techniques as prescribed by animal care and use protocols.
  • Complies with state and county regulations in dealing with animals and animal transportation.
  • Maintains records and develops summaries and reports of findings regarding animals to be used in biologic and diagnostic testing.
  • Maintains equipment and instruments (such as thermometers, stethoscopes, etc.) used in activities.
  • Works directly with a Veterinary Medical Officer (VMO) in the containment units who outline scientific investigations and experiments.
  • Performs injections in blood vessels and/or organs or other as described in animal care and use protocols to include blood.
  • Uses software applications including Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer, SharePoint, and other relevant programs and web-based systems.
  • Develops, edits, reviews, provides feedback and follows standard operating procedures (SOPs) and research protocols.

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/
  • This is an essential/emergency (exigency) position. The incumbent is required to report for duty during emergencies, critical periods, or during times when there is Government closure due to inclement weather or budget cut-off.
  • Motor Vehicle License Required.
  • Drug Test Required
  • Vaccine(s) Required
  • Special Physical Requirements/Demands (May wear fully encapsulated suit.)
  • SAC and full background investigation required for positions working with BSL-3 (or higher) agents, or in BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities.
  • Department of Justice (DOJ) Security Risk Assessment (SRA) approval is required.
  • Incumbent may be required to receive extra vaccinations to work on specific projects, submit to blood tests, and a respiratory/pulmonary function test.

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.

Specialized Experience: 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. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:
Applicants must meet one of the following to be qualified at the GS-08 grade level:

Experience: One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-08 level are:
  • Participating in a research project related to animal science in support of medical care; AND
  • Maintaining equipment and instruments (such as radiology and anesthesia equipment etc.); AND
  • Determining immunizations and providing appropriate vaccinations under the direction of a veterinarian.
OR
Education: Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Animal Science, Biology, Biosafety, Animal Behavior, Laboratory Animal Medicine, or Veterinary Science.
OR
A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above.


Minimum Qualification Requirements:
Applicants must meet one of the following to be qualified at the GS-09 grade level:

Experience: One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience comparable to GS-08 grade level in the Federal service. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-09 level are:
  • Participating in a research project related to animal science in support of medical care; AND
  • Maintaining equipment and instruments (such as radiology and anesthesia equipment etc.); AND
  • Determining immunizations and providing appropriate vaccinations under the direction of a veterinarian; AND
  • Maintaining all records of the administration of drugs/medications; AND
  • Independently train personnel on various animal techniques and procedures; AND
  • Ensuring activities related to handling of animals are in compliance with policies, laws, or regulations.
OR
Education: Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Animal Science, Biology, Biosafety, Animal Behavior, Laboratory Animal Medicine, or Veterinary Science.
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.

Physical Demands:
The incumbent spends approximately 30% of the time at a desk. The remaining time is spent performing activities involving the collection of biological specimens and observation and treatment of newly received and blood donor animals.

Moderate to heavy physical exertion is required (moving equipment and carcasses up to 60 pounds with appropriate support). 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 possible. It also involves exposure to disagreeable odors when working around animals and may involve exposure to the risks and hazards of harmful biological, chemical, and physical agents, such as, but not limited to high consequence pathogens. There is the potential for exposure to highly contagious diseases of animals and humans, and to fractious animals.

For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent the spread of disease, immunization against diseases being studied at NBAF which are
transmissible to humans may be required where the vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and effectiveness under the provisions of the Federal, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended, 21 USC 321-392. Where the FDA for investigation purposes has approved the vaccine, the incumbent will be advised that such immunization is voluntary.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks or respirators, boots, gloves, and coveralls may be used to perform laboratory and animal related tasks that represent a potential source of zoonotic disease or another biohazard. Incumbent may be required to wear a fully encapsulated positive pressure suit in BSL4 animal holding rooms.

Restrictions against contact with birds and livestock outside the laboratory may apply after entering high security animal facilities that are working with disease agents foreign to the United States.

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.

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.

Work may be performed daily in the presence of hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde, virucidal and bactericidal disinfectants and detergents.

To prevent the transmission of disease out of biocontainment and retention of the position, the incumbent must meet the following medical standards in a pre-employment medical examination conducted after the receipt of a preliminary job offer and on a periodic basis:

  • Ability to shower out of biocontainment one or more times per day;
  • Not have any skin condition which would prevent this;
  • Body piercings must be able to be removed prior to entry;
  • External medical assistance devices must have the ability to be removed prior to entering or not impede the ability to enter biocontainment, and the individual must still be able to shower out safely without assistance;
  • Ability to follow instructions regarding decontamination from biocontainment;
  • Any medical condition which could create an unsafe environment for the individual or his/her co-workers, such as insufficient control of a medical disorder which could result in sudden loss of consciousness; and inadequate vision and hearing required for safety in a laboratory environment.
  • Able to work in uncomfortable (hot and humid) environments wearing additional PPE.
  • A baseline blood sample may be required for employees entering and working in the biocontainment facilities.
  • Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at NBAF, Biological Safety Regulations specify a personal quarantine for employees working in BSL-3, 3 enhanced, 3 Ag and 4 biocontainment.
As a condition for employment, all personnel entering the BSL-3 or higher biocontainment facilities at NBAF shall not be in contact with specific susceptible animals and their premises away from NBAF for a period of five (5) days after leaving biocontainment. Currently, restricted species are cattle, sheep, goats, deer, other ruminants, and swine. Contact with horses, birds (agricultural and pet birds) and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working with or near-contagious agents affecting these species. Restricted livestock or other restricted animals may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where quarantine cannot be enforced. Employees who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or subject to other disciplinary action. Additionally, an approved SRA investigation is required for access to select agent registered spaces.

Additional information

  • 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.
  • This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). 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.
  • 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 Science, Planning and Evaluating, Teamwork, and Technical Competence
    • Animal Science
    • Planning and Evaluating
    • Teamwork
    • Technical Competence

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) 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/12805079

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: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; 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); other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed 2 pages.
  • 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 to be entered into the system prior to its closing. Resumes must not exceed two pages.

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.

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 documents 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. Please ensure your resume does not exceed two pages. Applicants who submit a resume that exceeds two pages will be removed from consideration.

Agency contact information

Melissa Smith
Address
Agricultural Research Service
2150 Centre Avenue
Building D, Suite 300
Fort Collins, CO 80526
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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