Veterinary Medical Officer

About This Role

Join the Ready Response Corps at USDA APHIS to assist with emergency management response work, including deploying and coordinating efforts to mitigate the spread of agricultural pests and diseases.

Responsibilities

• Deploy to agricultural emergencies, primarily animal disease outbreaks, to assist with emergency response, containment, and mitigation risk reduction activities through the Ready Response Corps
• Coordinate emergency response depopulation activities with Incident Management Teams (IMT) following the direction of the Incident Commander or other onsite leadership
• Serve in various roles while deployed such as: Case Manager, Disease Reporting Officer, Depopulation Lead, and/or as a member of an Incident Management Team
• Establish and enforce surveillance, quarantine, movement control areas to stop the spread of animal and plant pests and diseases
• Promote the smooth transition of operational activities from one responder to the next ensuring continuity of operations while on deployment
• Assist in program work that develops strategies, tools, techniques, and other measures to reduce adverse effects of animal related hazards and facilitates, promotes implementation of these measures
• Develop, prepare, and/or finalize a variety of published materials to educate groups about the impacts of animal disease on livestock producers and the United States food supply
• Participate in emergency response planning activities, including table-top exercises with states, industry, and tribal partners to enhance preparedness
• Work with states and industry on biosecurity assessments and improvements to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases

Requirements

• Current 4th year student in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (or equivalent) degree program from an AVMA accredited school
• Will complete all degree requirements by June 15, 2026

Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (or equivalent) degree program at a school accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education
• Current 4th year students in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (or equivalent) degree program will be considered.