Veterinary Services 

Careers Program:

Leading the Charge 

To Safeguard Animal Health

United States

Department of

Agriculture

Animal and 

Plant Health

Inspection 

Service

Program Aid

No. 1718

www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health
Cover: Veterinary Services leads the charge to safeguard animal health for the U.S.

Department of Agriculture with its various activities from the laboratory to the farm.

Photo credits: Photographs in the front-cover collage come from the APHIS image

 collection. Photos inside the leaflet are credited to the photographers by name.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and

where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual

orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of

an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and

TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of

Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250–9410, or

call (800) 795–3272 (voice) or (202) 720–6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Issued July 2002

Slightly revised May 2010

Veterinary Services (VS)—a part

of the U.S. Department of

Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and

Plant Health Inspection Service

(APHIS)—is responsible for protecting and improving the health,

quality, and marketability of the

Nation’s agricultural animals,

 animal products, and veterinary

biologics. VS practices preventive

veterinary medicine on a broad

scale, dealing with animal health

problems of statewide, regional,

national, and international importance. These broad responsibilities

can have a profound effect on

many aspects of American agriculture and animal health, especially

the success of U.S. agricultural

exports in world trade.

VS supports the livestock industry

in the prevention and control of

animal diseases that could otherwise be devastating. VS activities

have international significance

Taking the Lead in 

Safeguarding Animal Health

“I didn't realize how valuable my field training was until I was

employed 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 better

understanding of the vast work of Veterinary Services.”

—Aida Boghossian, D.V.M.

Senior Staff Veterinarian, Emergency Programs, Maryland

APHIS photo by R. Anson Eaglin.

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through import–export and

 emergency response programs. 

VS employees also ascertain that all

licensed animal biological products

distributed interstate, like vaccines,

are pure, safe, potent, and effective.

As a regulatory agency, APHIS uses

a collaborative rulemaking process

that enables it to adapt to industry

needs in a changing environment.

The VS program is moving to a

more broad-based public service

role in order to better serve stakeholders and constituents and meet

the demand for increased services.

VS plays an important role in safeguarding America’s animal health.

And the best way that VS can stay

on the cutting edge of veterinary

science is to recruit and hire professionals with the best credentials

and experience—people like you.

A Career Choice That Can

Make a Difference

A career in public veterinary health

affords you the opportunity to be

involved with the health of major

animal populations in many

 activity areas. Veterinarians have a

responsibility for the health of the

Nation’s animals, and public health

veterinarians can have a broad and

lasting impact on animal health

issues. Animal health technicians

perform a variety of specialized

duties that support our public

health mission.

A hallmark of VS is its multidisciplinary approach to working on

 animal health issues. VS has

employment opportunities in the

public veterinary field for highly

qualified, technically advanced

 professionals from a variety of disciplines. In addition to veterinary

medicine, some of the many vital

areas represented across VS include

epidemiology, agricultural economics, biotechnology, toxicology, and

entomology.

Employment opportunities are

located throughout the United

States, from headquarters in

Riverdale, MD (just outside

Washington, DC), to field offices 

in every State, and at border ports

throughout the country.

Through the Veterinary Services

Careers Program (VSCP), prospective employees will find a work

environment rich in individualized

learning opportunities—both on

the job and through a variety of

educational and training resources.

How the VSCP Works

The VSCP is a recruitment and

training program established to

meet APHIS’ need for highly

skilled, forward-looking, welltrained employees—primarily 

within VS. Formerly called the

Public Veterinary Practice Careers

Program, the VSCP is being

expanded to include additional

professions beyond the 

veterinary field.

The VSCP is designed to provide a

support system for new employees

to ensure a smooth transition into

Federal service. The program can

maximize developmental opportunities so participants are ready to

meet the challenges of public

 veterinary health in our fast-paced

society.

The VSCP is offered several times a

year for prospective employees.

Those applying through the VSCP

announcement automatically

become part of this program. 

The APHIS Web site,

http://www.aphis.usda.gov, and the

Office of Personnel Management

(OPM) site,

http://www.usajobs.opm.gov, post

available job opportunities.

Veterinarian candidates selected for

the VSCP will be hired into the

civil service at either the GS–9,

GS–11, or GS–12 salary level,

depending on previous experience.

4 5

“Of course, with a name like

Herriott, I had always dreamed of 

a career like veterinarian James

Herriot, author of All Creatures

Great and Small. It wasn’t long

before I realized clinical practice

was not going to provide the fulfillment and challenge I was looking

for. A brochure describing the VS

careers program caught my eye

and changed my life. This program exposed me to the many

opportunities available within

APHIS. For me, the most appealing area of concentration was

 veterinary epidemiology. This field

allowed me to use my analytical

skills and challenged me in new ways with each outbreak. VS

provided the training I needed and the opportunity to apply my

newly acquired epidemiological skills with my first position as an

area epidemiology officer. I have never questioned or regretted

my decision to pursue a very fulfilling career in public veterinary

medicine.”

—Don Herriott, D.V.M.

Area Veterinarian-in-Charge, Oregon

USDA photo by Michael Thompson.
Animal health technicians will be

hired at either the GS–5, GS–6, or

GS–7 salary level, depending on

previous experience. The individual’s initial job is a career-conditional appointment with flexible

benefits (health insurance, life

insurance, family-friendly programs, retirement plans, etc.).

Participants who successfully complete the VSCP training program

and who meet OPM eligibility

 qualifications and requirements are

eligible for promotion to the next

grade level for that position. After

3 years of successful performance,

their status converts from career

conditional to permanent.

Training Fits Individual Needs

New employees receive a general

orientation as well as technical and

scientific training, which they have

2 years to complete. The core

VSCP training courses introduce

new employees to Federal service in

general and to APHIS and VS programs in particular. The program

focuses on VS’ multifaceted regulatory and collaborative role in safeguarding U.S. livestock and poultry

industries to promote animal

health domestically and enhance

livestock exporting opportunities.

In addition to the orientation, the

VSCP courses cover significant

domestic diseases, foreign animal

disease awareness, basic epidemiology, and emerging issues and initiatives. After completing the VSCP

curriculum, employees have an

awareness of VS’ future direction;

knowledge about how today’s activities, initiatives, and issues fit

together; and an appreciation for

their own role in the organization.

An integral part of the VSCP is an

individual learning contract, which

employees develop with assistance

from their supervisors, mentors,

and APHIS training professionals.

This learning contract serves as a

roadmap and timeline for achieving specific learning goals, and

 provides a model for continued use

throughout the employee’s career.

Additionally, employees can develop temporary work details to

expand specific areas of their

knowledge. Each new member of

the VSCP is paired with a mentor

or coach to make the transition

into VS both easy and meaningful

and to enable the employee to take

advantage of the resources and

experiences available in the agency.

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“In my work as a field veterinary

medical officer, my duties are diverse

and challenging. Traveling locally

and throughout the United States, I

have the opportunity to assist in

international animal import and

export issues, investigate unusual

 animal disease occurrences, work on

animal welfare issues, and contribute

to the health of our Nation’s agricultural economy through disease eradication and surveillance programs.

USDA veterinarians are encouraged

to take advantage of training opportunities that are regularly offered to

further enhance our skills and knowledge. I also interact with the local

veterinary college, fostering an

exchange of information and opportunities with the students and academic community. The career path I have chosen has certainly

been rewarding and has provided ample opportunities for personal and professional growth.”

—Lynette Tobias, D.V.M.

Veterinary Medical Officer, Virginia

USDA photo by Norman Watkins.

6

“This program

was an excellent

orientation to a

very exciting and

rewarding career

with USDA. The

program provided

me with the

basics required to

function as a public services veterinarian. The training consisted of

an orientation

class, a significant diseases class, and introduction to epidemiology; and to complete the training we conducted a field exercise

in Alabama. Each respective class was very important in the

development of my career with APHIS. This program also provides an invaluable network of colleagues that I rely on heavily

today. Even though it was an orientation training program, this

program paved the way for more advanced training and additional career development.”

—Terry Clark, D.V.M.

Native American Program Coordinator, North Carolina

USDA photo by Ken Hammond.
8

9

In developing a learning contract,

employees can tap into a variety of

educational and training resources,

including internal courses sponsored by the agency and outside

sources such as universities, professional organizations, and self-paced

Web-based coursework. Because

APHIS employees are located

throughout the country, they use

distance learning technologies such

as CD-ROM programs and Net conferences to access training in a

timeframe that meets their needs

and to learn at their own pace.

Several classroom training sessions

bring VSCP employees together as a

group. These sessions provide an

opportunity to meet key APHIS

staff, participate in hands-on training for both scientific and interpersonal skills, and network with each

other.

Rotational Assignments

In addition to on-the-job training,

VSCP participants complete several

rotational assignments in specialized areas. Through hands-on

experience in a variety of work

environments, such as headquarters, ports of entry, laboratories, or

on special task forces, new employees will quickly see how various

areas function independently and

collaboratively.

About the Animal and

Plant Health Inspection

Service

Through its Veterinary Services,

Plant Protection and Quarantine,

Animal Care, International

Services, and Wildlife Services

programs, APHIS protects

America's animal and plant

resources from invasive pests and

diseases and monitors and manages foreign agricultural pests and

diseases existing in the United

States. The agency also resolves

and manages trade issues related

to animal or plant health, ensures

the humane care and treatment

of certain animals, manages

wildlife conflicts, and makes sure

that all licensed animal biological

products distributed interstate are

pure, safe, potent, and effective.

Because of its technical expertise

in assessing and regulating the

risks associated with agricultural

imports, APHIS has become much

more involved in trade issues in

recent years. The agency

responds to other countries’

import requirements and negotiates science-based standards to

ensure that America’s agricultural

exports, worth over $50 billion

annually, are protected from

unjustified trade restrictions. A

major goal of the agency is to

support the establishment of

 harmonized, international

 science-based health standards.

APHIS’ protection role also

includes wildlife damage management, the welfare of animals,

human health and safety, and

ecosystems vulnerable to invasive

pests and pathogens.

“I spent 5 years in private practice before joining VS. After 17

years with the program, I feel that the variety of opportunity I

was looking for is definitely here. I elected to pursue several

interests and have volunteered to work on different projects. I

have been involved in epidemiology, computer mapping, and

even international travel. I have found my VS jobs very rewarding, professionally and personally. The careers program fosters

a network of members within VS, and I enjoy contact with fellow grads of the program who are stationed elsewhere in the

field and at headquarters.”

—Valerie E. Ragan, D.V.M.

Former Assistant Deputy Administrator, 

Veterinary Services, Washington, DC

APHIS photo by R. Anson Eaglin.
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How To Apply

To obtain Federal job announcements that will tell you how to

apply for advertised positions,

check the following Internet sites:

http://www.usajobs.opm.gov

http://www.usda.gov/da/employ

http://www.aphis.usda.gov

Positions for the VSCP will be

specifically identified as such in the

annoucement.

Vacancy announcements provide

complete application instructions

and details about the job. Candi -

dates must be U.S. citizens to be

considered for competitive Federal

employment.

Come to VS and be part of an exciting and professional program that

safeguards America’s animal health.

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“This program gives incoming veterinarians a chance to

learn what APHIS does and how the agency works within

USDA. In addition, the camaraderie that evolves within the

class over time helps develop networks that will serve

employees throughout their careers. I still am in contact

with members from my class and people from other classes

I had the pleasure to meet.”

—Peter Fernandez, D.V.M.

Regional Director for Europe, Africa and the Middle East,

APHIS 

USDA photo by Bob Nichols.