Job Details

** Animal Caretaker**

**Department of Agriculture**

**Location**

1 vacancy in the following location:

** Relocation expenses reimbursed**

No

** Telework eligible**

Yes as determined by agency policy

** Clarification from the agency**

US Citizens and Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required.

**Duties**

** Summary**

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, in Athens, GA

**Responsibilities**

+ Perform a full range of animal care including observation of various laboratory animals and poultry species used in research and training following established guidelines, SOPs and instructions.

+ Operate, maintain, disinfect, and fumigate isolation cages/rooms which are used to contain pathogen-free animals or animals infected with pathogens, some being zoonotic (human pathogen) and/or select agents.

+ Observe the appearance and activity of animals for signs of illness, injury, distress, and their general physical condition.

+ Maintain animal records and pertinent history, and record findings and communicate with appropriate personnel in compliance with standard operating procedures. **Travel Required**

Not required

** Supervisory status**

No

** Promotion Potential**

6

**Requirements**

** Conditions of Employment**

+ You must be a US Citizen or US National

+ Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt

+ Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check

+ Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.

+ Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution

+ Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at

+ This position also requires a pre-employment physical ** Qualifications**

In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement:07/02/2021

Qualifications will be determined under the Job Element Rating System X-118C, Qualifications Standard Handbook. While a specific length of time and experience is not required for most Wage Grade positions, you must show through experience and training that you possess the best qualified level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of this position. Qualification requirements emphasize the quality of experience, not necessarily the length. The responses to the questionnaire and your resume should be in significant detail to provide the person rating your application with a good understanding of your ability to do the job, technical knowledge, work, and training experience, etc. (For example You must have the ability to perform the duties of a, Animal Caretaker without more than normal supervision (Screen Out)). Applicants who do not meet the **SCREEN OUT ELEMENT** will not be given further consideration.

**Conditions of Employment:**

+ Must obtain and maintain a valid State-issued driver's license

+ Drug test is required

+ Vaccine(s) are required

+ Special Physical Requirements / Demands

+ Department of Justice (DOJ) Security Risk Assessment (SRA) approval is required.

+ National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) clearance is required

+ Immunizations may be required

+ Respirator fitting and certification is required

**Working Conditions:**

+ The position is located in a Biological Safety Level 3 and 3Ag biocontainment facilities, and the incumbent works with animals infected with pathogens, some being zoonotic (human pathogens). Work may involve discomforts such as having to spend long periods of time on concrete or slippery floors, exposure to bites, scratches, kicks, disagreeable odors, allergens, and animal wastes. The incumbent works on weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings as required. The incumbent is required to frequently wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks or respirators, eye and ear protection, boots, gloves, and coveralls when providing care to animals that represent a potential source of zoonotic disease or other biohazards. Various forms of respiratory protection equipment must be worn when working with certain infectious agents, chemicals, and animal allergens. PPE provides necessary protection against biological and chemical hazards, but may increase the risk of accidents due to decreased vision, hampered communication, limited mobility and dexterity. Physical well-being may be compromised by the prolonged usage of the PPE, may lead to labored respiration, heat stress and/or dehydration. Showering out of facility will be required. More frequent showering during the day may also be required.

+ Work may be performed daily in the presence of hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde, viricidal and bactericidal disinfectants, and detergents.

+ The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations.

+ Due to the contagious nature to livestock of Foot-and-Mouth disease, and other diseases under study at USNPRC, Biological Safety Regulations specify a personal quarantine for employees working in BSL-3, 3 enhanced and 3 Ag biocontainment. As a condition for employment, all personnel entering the BSL-3 or higher biocontainment facilities at USNPRC shall not be in contact with specific susceptible animals and their premises away from USNPRC for a period of seven (7) days after leaving bio-containment. Currently, restricted species include avian species. Restricted avian species or other restricted animals may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where quarantine cannot be enforced. Employees who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or subject to other disciplinary action. Additionally, an approved SRA investigation is required for access to select agent registered spaces.

**Physical Effort**:

+ The incumbent performs activities involved in the care, treatment, and observation of animals, and collection of biological specimens. Moderate to heavy physical exertion is required daily for restraining large animals and moving feed, hay, bedding, and equipment (from 75-100 pounds). May be required to move large animal carcasses and/or portions of carcasses in carts weighing up to 300 pounds, with the assistance of handling equipment; stand on a ladder to complete overhead tasks, i.e. the cleaning and changing of filters; and stoop, bend, reach, and active walking. **Other Conditions (continued in Additional Information):**

+ This is an essential/emergency (exigency) position. The incumbent is required to report for duty during emergencies, critical periods, or during times when there is Government closure due to inclement weather or budget cut-off.

+ The incumbent is required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks or respirators, eye and ear protection, boots, gloves, and coveralls when providing care to animals that represent a potential source of zoonotic disease or other biohazard.

+ Various forms of respiratory protection equipment must be worn when working with certain infectious agents, chemicals, and animal allergens. PPE provides necessary protection against biological and chemical hazards, but may increase the risk of accidents due to decreased vision, hampered communication, limited mobility and dexterity. Physical well-being may be compromised by the prolonged usage of the PPE may lead to labored respiration, heat stress and dehydration.

+ Work may be performed daily in the presence of hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde, virucidal and bactericidal disinfectants and detergents.

+ For the health and safety of the incumbent and to prevent spread of disease, immunization against diseases