United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

National Animal Health 

Emergency Response Corps

Ordinary

Outside

the

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United States Department of Agriculture Program Aid No. 1940–2

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

National Animal Health Emergency Response 

Corps (NAHERC) student volunteers: 

ß Protect U.S. agriculture

ß Help animals in need

ß Expand their career options

ß Network within the veterinary community

ß Learn emergency response procedures

Contact Us

http://naherc.aphis.usda.gov 

NAHERC@aphis.usda.gov 

(301) 734–8073

Our communities Our animals

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.

Photo credits: The group shots of swine and cattle came from the 

USDA–Agricultural Research Service collection. USDA employees took 

the horse photo (Tim McCabe), the chicken photo (Woody Machalek), 

and the fish photo (Ken Hammond). The images of Dr. Stephan 

Singleton were taken by APHIS employee Ryan Rogers. The picture of 

the single cow came from the Professional Photography Library and 

was digitally enhanced to add the identification tags. The image of a 

veterinarian examining a sheep came from the APHIS photo library.

This publication supersedes Program Aid No.1748, “National Animal 

Health Emergency Response Corps: You Can Make a Difference,” which 

was published in July 2003.

Issued July 2007

Slightly revised February 2010

When an animal health emergency occurs, 

an immediate response is necessary to protect 

both animals and people. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and 

Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will 

look to many sources to obtain the veterinary 

personnel needed to help meet the critical 

staffing needs during such an emergency.

In 2001, APHIS established the National 

Animal Health Emergency Response Corps 

(NAHERC) to respond to exotic disease outbreaks and other disasters that affect livestock, 

poultry, companion animals, and wildlife. 

More student volunteers are urgently needed 

to assure a decisive response to any potential 

animal health crises.
Make a difference. 

Become a NAHERC student 

volunteer today!

Over the past several years, NAHERC student 

volunteers have assisted with the foot-andmouth disease eradication effort in the United 

Kingdom, the outbreak of low-pathogenic avian 

influenza in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, 

and the exotic Newcastle disease response 

in southern California. As a NAHERC student 

volunteer, you’ll experience the rewards of 

serving your country by helping protect our 

communities and the U.S. food supply.

Step Into a

 World of 

Adventure, Challenge, and Service

Dr. Stephan Singleton, NAHERC 

volunteer for exotic Newcastle 

disease in California.

Rewarding

Q. Who is eligible?

A. Veterinarians with a valid U.S. veterinary diploma 

from an accredited program. 

Animal Health Technicians (AHTs) and 

Veterinary Technicians with a diploma and/or 

equivalent experience.

College students are eligible under the Student 

Educational Employment Program if they:

• Are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as 

a degree-seeking student in a 4- or 5-year 

university program, and

• Have reached at least the minimum age 

required by Federal, State, or local laws and 

standards governing the employment of 

minors.

• Are a U.S. citizen.

Eligibility of other veterinary and laboratory personnel will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Q. How long are tours?

A. Generally between 21 and 30 days.

Q. Will I be paid?

A. Yes, you will become a temporary USDA–APHIS 

employee. You also have the right to refuse 

assignments. Travel and lodging costs are reimbursed; overtime pay is guaranteed, and workman’s compensation is provided.

Federal salaries are determined annually in a 

system called the General Schedule (GS). 

NAHERC veterinarians receive the salary rate of 

GS 11, step 1, employees in the Federal civil service. AHTs qualified at the highest level are paid 

at the GS 7, step 1, salary rate. College students 

will be evaluated as AHTs and ranked according 

to their experience with salaries pegged at the 

GS 5 to GS 7 levels.

For more salary details, visit http://www.opm.gov 

and click on “ View Salaries and Wages.”

Q. How do I apply?

A. Send notification of your interest in the program 

to <NAHERC@aphis.usda.gov>.

The NAHERC Program Coordinator will provide you with an Optional Form 306 to be completed and returned by fax or mail, along with 

your résumé and proof of college enrollment, to

NAHERC Program Coordinator

USDA–APHIS–Veterinary Services

4700 River Road, Unit 41

Riverdale, MD 20737

FAX: (301) 734–7817

For veterinary students, once you are selected to 

deploy, a letter from your college Dean or 

Department Chair indicating that you are a veterinary student in good standing must be mailed 

to the address above.

Q. What if I have 

more questions?

A. Contact the NAHERC Program Coordinator 

at NAHERC@aphis.usda.gov or call 

(301) 734–8073 for more information or 

assistance.

“I was able to work on the exotic Newcastle disease 

(END) task force in surveillance, diagnostics, and 

on a special strike team. My experiences with END 

helped me stand out when applying for scholarships 

and externships. For example, I received the Smith–

Kilborne Foreign Animal Disease Scholarship and 

later completed an externship at Plum Island. I know 

that my experiences with NAHERC helped me be a 

competitive applicant.”

“My experience in California made all the 

difference! My work as an Animal Health 

Technician helped shape my vet-school 

career and was a highly rewarding 

experience. It was very exciting to 

have an opportunity to assist with the 

eradication of a foreign animal disease 

and gain valuable experience.”

—Dr. Stephan Singleton 

NAHERC volunteer with the 2002–03 END outbreak in California