Summary The Animal Caretaker is assigned to the Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU), Research Service, VA Medical Center, West Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, CA. This position has an essential role in caring for the all-animal species used in the research programs. Responsibilities NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (not-to-exceed 6/29/30, may be extended up to 4 Years). Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration (more than 1 year but not more than 4). Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition (up to the 4 year maximum). The appointments may be extended without further competition (up to the 4 year maximum). The appointment to a Term position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment. Duties include but may not be limited to: Examining each animal daily for health conditions. Observing and recognizing animal appearance or health abnormalities, and reporting these to the Animal Health Technician (AHT). Administering prophylactic treatment and simple medications to animals, including injections of antibiotics, anesthetics, analgesics, etc. as directed by the supervisor. Assisting the supervisor, AHT, and/or the animal caretaker lead in receiving and processing newly arrived animals. Transporting or assist in transporting, loading, or unloading cages, animals, supplies, as needed for the care of laboratory animals or conduct of research. Collecting biological specimens (feces, urine, blood, and microbiological specimens) for clinical laboratory examination as directed by the supervisor. Maintaining proper food and watering schedules for each experimental protocol; Cleaning, sanitizing, and sometimes sterilizing by prescribed methods the animal enclosures. Disposing of animal waste and bedding material according to established procedures. Maintaining complete and accurate records of all job-related activities Performing other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Pre-employment physical required Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications PHYSICAL EFFORT: The physical strength and manual dexterity to safely work with all species of animals, both wild and domestic, are required. Animal caretakers may need to use strength or agility to capture and restrain stronger or more active animals. Incumbent must walk or stand for extended periods of time and frequently work in a bent position. Often light physical exertion is required to lift, restrain, or handle laboratory animals. Incumbent must lift and carry feed material weighing up to forty pounds (e.g. cages and feed bags) and handle feed trays that weigh up to twenty pounds. WORK CONDITIONS: Work is normally performed inside and outside. Potential exposures vary from the aseptic, ideally controlled environment (such as that of the surgical suite) to that of excesses of temperature, humidity, and poor air quality encountered in field conditions. The work environment includes exposure to allergens, humidity, and odors in animal rooms and necropsy areas, exposure to exotic and zoonotic diseases, animal bites and scratches, and biological and carcinogenic hazards. The incumbent may come in contact with animals with unpredictable or ill-natured behavior which exposes the animal caretaker to greater possibility of injury from bites, scratches, and kicks. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Dexterity and Safety Materials Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
