USDA Pathways Program: 

Saul T. Wilson, Jr., Internship

In carrying out our safeguarding mission, the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works to ensure 

the continued health of our Nation’s livestock and 

poultry. Within APHIS, the Veterinary Services (VS) 

staff serves as the veterinary authority for the United 

States. It is our job to protect and improve the health, 

quality, and marketability of U.S. animals, animal 

products, and veterinary biologics.

Increases in global trade, the emergence of zoonotic 

diseases, and the threat of agroterrorism demand 

a comprehensive approach to protecting animal 

and public health. VS brings a wealth of skills 

and expertise to this effort—from global disease 

surveillance and animal health certification to disease 

eradication and emergency preparedness. In all of 

this work, we follow One Health principles to promote 

a collaborative, all-inclusive approach and make sure 

our decisions are grounded in the best science and 

information available. 

The USDA Pathways Program offers different 

“pathway” opportunities for students and recent 

graduates to work in agriculture, science, technology, 

math, environment, management, business, and 

many other fields. One of these pathways is the 

USDA Internship Program, which provides paid 

work experiences for students. VS participates in this 

program, offering the Saul T. Wilson, Jr., Internship to 

help ensure a steady stream of talented veterinarians 

on our staff.

Who Is Saul T. Wilson, Jr.?

Dr. Wilson dedicated his professional career to 

public veterinary medicine, first within APHIS and 

then at Tuskegee University after he retired in 1989. 

During his Federal career, he made outstanding 

contributions to the health of the Nation’s livestock 

and poultry industries. He also played an essential 

role in eradicating foot-and-mouth disease from 

Mexico in the 1950s, helping protect our country 

against reinfection from this devastating animal 

disease. He made a long-lasting impact on APHIS 

and the field of public veterinary medicine. Today, his 

actions inspire veterinary students to practice public 

veterinary medicine. 

Internship Experiences

As a Saul T. Wilson, Jr., intern, you will experience 

the real-world situations facing Federal regulatory 

veterinarians every day. Working in the field, you may: 

• Assist with veterinary technician duties;

• Observe and/or conduct testing and 

identification activities to support disease 

management programs for livestock such as 

cattle, swine, and cervids;

• Contact owners to schedule animal disease 

testing;

• Attach animal identification tags and help with 

recordkeeping;

• Draw blood samples for laboratory testing;

• Brand animals that react to certain tests; or

• Help supervise disinfection and cleaning at 

affected sites.

Working in one of our animal health laboratories, you may 

conduct routine tests, log in test samples, track test 

results, or prepare specimens.

In an office setting, you may assist our disease 

programs with information gathering and data 

collection; data verification, tracking, coding, and 

entry; document review and literature searches; 

statistical, quantitative, or qualitative analysis; or 

producing preliminary analytical reports.

We provide a wide range of learning opportunities 

so our interns are prepared for life in the public 

veterinary field.

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE FEBRUARY 2015 

VETERINARY SERVICES
Internship Benefits

The Saul T. Wilson, Jr., Internship provides 

students:

1) Up to $7,500 per year for undergraduate

studies and up to $15,000 for graduate

studies for tuition, books, tutors, and

laboratory fees.

2) Paid employment during summer and school

breaks as a Veterinary Student Trainee,

participation in the Federal Employees

Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan

(401K), and paid vacation and sick leave.

Based on the length of the work periods,

compensation may also include health

insurance benefits.

3) The possibility of conversion, without further

competition, to a permanent appointment

with APHIS upon successful completion with

a D.V.M degree, training, and other work

requirements.

After completing all of the mandatory requirements 

for the program, the student must become a fulltime agency employee for at least 1 calendar year 

(12 months) for each school year (2 semesters, 

3 quarters, or the equivalent) that the student was 

covered by the internship. If the student intern does 

not accept an APHIS employment offer, he or she 

must reimburse all financial assistance received 

under the Wilson internship program. If the intern 

fails to serve the entire length of the mandatory 

APHIS employment period, the student must 

reimburse the agency a prorated share of the 

funds awarded. 

Application and Eligibility

Interested students must apply online via 

www.usajobs.gov. Locate the announcement 

using the key words “Saul T. Wilson” in the search 

engine under the “Student and Recent Graduates” 

tab. Please note that you must have a USAJOBS 

account to apply. The announcement will open in 

the spring for approximately a 2-week period. Upon 

entrance on duty, you must:

1) Be a U.S. citizen,

2) Be enrolled as a full-time student and/or

accepted for enrollment in an accredited

veterinary college or university within the

United States—

a. Undergraduate applicants must have

completed at least 2 years (60 semester

hours or 90 quarter hours) of a 4-year

preveterinary medicine or other

biomedical science curriculum.

b. Graduate student applicants must

have completed not more than 1 full

academic year of study in veterinary

medicine.

5) Be in good academic standing, and

6) Agree to work for the agency during school

breaks for a minimum of 640 hours prior to

completion of studies.

Required Documents

The online application system will prompt you to 

answer self-assessment questions and to submit 

the following: 

1) Resume;

2) Transcripts for all completed college work

to date;

3) Proof of current enrollment on a full-time basis

and/or, if applicable, a letter of acceptance to

veterinary school; and

4) A copy of your DD-214, if you are claiming

Veterans’ Preference.

Additional supplemental information and 

documentation will be requested at a later date 

if you meet eligibility and initial application 

requirements. 

USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider 

APHIS 91-15-002 and employer. 

For More Information

This internship may be available annually. 

To check availability or learn more, call 

the VS Management Support Staff at

(301) 851-3573 or visit our Web site:

www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health/recruitment