Description
During a disease outbreak or disaster, the size and scope of an incident can easily overwhelm local and State animal health resources and devastate animal agriculture. The National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps (NAHERC) is the nations largest emergency response organization designed to provide surge capacity and sustainment of Federal veterinary assistance during an event. NAHERC assists the Federal and State response to domestic and international animal disease outbreaks, threats, or natural disasters. By applying to our announcement on the USAJOBS web site, you will be answering our call for help. Qualified applicants will have their name and credentials added to the NAHERC emergency roster. Once on this list, should our nation be faced with an emergency, you may be asked to serve. Participation is voluntary. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Sign up today! Previously, NAHERC was activated and responded to the 2001 UK foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, the 2003 exotic Newcastle disease outbreak in California, and the 2002 low pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Virginia. When an animal health emergency occurs, having staff ready to provide an immediate response is necessary to protect both animals and humans in support of ongoing Federal efforts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), NAHERC program is comprised of Veterinary Medical Officers (VMO), Animal Health Technicians (AHT), and veterinary medical students assimilated into an elite animal health and food defense force within the emergency management response community. NAHERC, first started in 2001, protects public health by providing a reserve corps of private and State veterinarians and veterinarian technicians to combat threats to U.S. livestock and poultry in the event of a large outbreak of an exotic or foreign animal disease.
NAHERC staff can be activated and supplement existing Federal and State employees for periods of three weeks for domestic deployments or 30 days for international deployments. Deployments can be extended if necessary. These positions are paid upon activation of the NAHERC and include overtime, lodging, per diem, and travel expenses.
For more information about NAHERC, visit our web site at: http://naherc.aphis.usda.gov To apply to NAHERC visit the USAJOBS web site at: http://www.usajobs.gov and do a keyword search for "NAHERC VMO" Please email all inquiries to EmergencyVMO@aphis.usda.gov
