Veterinary Services 

Careers Program:Leading the Charge To Safeguard Animal Health

United StatesDepartment ofAgricultureAnimal and Plant HealthInspection ServiceProgram AidNo. 1718
Veterinary Services (VS)—a part of the U.S. Department of

Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal andPlant Health Inspection Service(APHIS)—is responsible for protecting and improving the health,quality, and marketability of theNation’s agricultural animals,animal products, and veterinarybiologics. VS practices preventiveveterinary medicine on a broadscale, dealing with animal healthproblems of statewide, regional,

national, and international importance. These broad responsibilitiescan have a profound effect onmany aspects of American agriculture and animal health, especiallythe success of U.S. agriculturalexports in world trade.VS supports the livestock industryin the prevention and control ofanimal diseases that could otherwise be devastating. VS activitieshave international significance

Taking the Lead in Safeguarding Animal Health

“I didn't realize how valuable my field training was until I wasemployed at the headquarters level. When difficult situations arise,I have relied on my field experience and problem-solving abilities.Having that different perspective has allowed me to gain a betterunderstanding of the vast work of Veterinary Services.”

—Aida Boghossian, D.V.M.Senior Staff Veterinarian, Emergency Programs, MarylandAPHIS photo by R. Anson Eaglin.

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A Career Choice That CanMake a DifferenceA career in public veterinary healthaffords you the opportunity to beinvolved with the health of majoranimal populations in manyactivity areas. Veterinarians have aresponsibility for the health of theNation’s animals, and public healthveterinarians can have a broad andlasting impact on animal healthissues. Animal health techniciansperform a variety of specializedduties that support our publichealth mission.A hallmark of VS is its multidisciplinary approach to working onanimal health issues. VS hasemployment opportunities in thepublic veterinary field for highlyqualified, technically advancedprofessionals from a variety of disciplines. In addition to veterinarymedicine, some of the many vitalareas represented across VS includeepidemiology, agricultural economics, biotechnology, toxicology, andentomology.Employment opportunities arelocated throughout the UnitedStates, from headquarters inRiverdale, MD (just outsideWashington, DC), to field offices in every State, and at border portsthroughout the country.Through the Veterinary ServicesCareers Program (VSCP), prospective employees will find a work

environment rich in individualizedlearning opportunities—both onthe job and through a variety ofeducational and training resources.

How the VSCP WorksThe VSCP is a recruitment andtraining program established tomeet APHIS’ need for highlyskilled, forward-looking, welltrained employees—primarily within VS. Formerly called thePublic Veterinary Practice CareersProgram, the VSCP is beingexpanded to include additionalprofessions beyond the veterinary field.The VSCP is designed to provide asupport system for new employeesto ensure a smooth transition intoFederal service. The program canmaximize developmental opportunities so participants are ready tomeet the challenges of publicveterinary health in our fast-pacedsociety.The VSCP is offered several times ayear for prospective employees.Those applying through the VSCPannouncement automaticallybecome part of this program. The APHIS Web site,http://www.aphis.usda.gov, and theOffice of Personnel Management(OPM) site,http://www.usajobs.opm.gov, postavailable job opportunities.Veterinarian candidates selected forthe VSCP will be hired into thecivil service at either the GS–9,GS–11, or GS–12 salary level,depending on previous experience.

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diseases, foreign animal diseaseawareness, basic epidemiology, andemerging issues and initiatives.After completing the VSCP curriculum, employees have an awarenessof VS’ future direction; knowledgeabout how today’s activities, initiatives, and issues fit together; and anappreciation for their own role inthe organization.An integral part of the VSCP is anindividual learning contract, whichemployees develop with assistancefrom their supervisors, mentors,and APHIS training professionals.This learning contract serves as a

roadmap and timeline for achieving specific learning goals, andprovides a model for continued usethroughout the employee’s career.Additionally, employees can develop temporary work details toexpand specific areas of theirknowledge. Each new member ofthe VSCP is paired with a mentoror coach to make the transitioninto VS both easy and meaningfuland to enable the employee to takeadvantage of the resources andexperiences available in the agency.

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“This programwas an excellentorientation to avery exciting andrewarding careerwith USDA. Theprogram providedme with thebasics required tofunction as a public services veterinarian. The training consisted ofan orientation

class, a significant diseases class, and introduction to epidemiology; and to complete the training we conducted a field exercisein Alabama. Each respective class was very important in thedevelopment of my career with APHIS. This program also provides an invaluable network of colleagues that I rely on heavilytoday. Even though it was an orientation training program, thisprogram paved the way for more advanced training and additional career development.”

—Terry Clark, D.V.M.Native American Program Coordinator, North CarolinaUSDA photo by Ken Hammond.
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“I spent 5 years in private practice before joining VS. After 13years with the program, I feel that the variety of opportunity Iwas looking for is definitely here. I elected to pursue severalinterests and have volunteered to work on different projects. Ihave been involved in epidemiology, computer mapping, andeven international travel. Currently, I have responsibility for thebrucellosis program in the United States. I have found my VSjobs very rewarding, professionally and personally. The careersprogram fosters a network of members within VS, and I enjoycontact with fellow grads of the program who are stationedelsewhere in the field and at headquarters.”

—Valerie E. Ragan, D.V.M.National Brucellosis Epidemiologist, Senior Staff Veterinarian, MarylandAPHIS photo by R. Anson Eaglin.
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“This program gives incoming veterinarians a chance tolearn what APHIS does and how the agency works withinUSDA. In addition, the camaraderie that evolves within theclass over time helps develop networks that will serveemployees throughout their careers. I still am in contactwith members from my class and people from other classesI had the pleasure to meet.”

—Peter Fernandez, D.V.M.Associate Administrator, APHISUSDA photo by Bob Nichols.