1

Veterinary Infectious Disease Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Veterinary Assistant

Prairie Village, KS

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

Work safely around anesthesia, radiation, and potential exposure to infectious diseases Our Veterinary Assistants Have: * Previous experience in animal care or veterinary setting (preferred) * A ...

Work safely around anesthesia, radiation, and potential exposure to infectious diseases Our Veterinary Assistants Have: * Previous experience in animal care or veterinary setting (preferred) * A ...

Veterinary Infectious Disease information

What is a veterinary infectious disease specialist?

Veterinary Infectious Disease specialists are veterinarians who focus on diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites in animals. They work to identify sources of outbreaks, develop disease control strategies, and often research new treatments or vaccines. These specialists play a crucial role in protecting animal health and, by extension, public health, as some animal diseases can spread to humans. They may work in clinical practice, research, public health, or academia.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a veterinary infectious disease specialist?

To thrive as a Veterinary Infectious Disease Specialist, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, advanced training in microbiology, epidemiology, and infectious disease management, often with board certification in a related specialty. Proficiency in laboratory diagnostic tools, molecular biology techniques, and disease surveillance systems is typically required. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and clear communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with veterinary teams and educating clients or the public. These competencies are essential to accurately diagnose, prevent, and manage infectious diseases in animal populations, safeguarding both animal and public health.

What are the main challenges faced by professionals working in veterinary infectious disease, and how can they be addressed?

Veterinary infectious disease professionals often face challenges such as rapidly evolving pathogens, biosecurity risks, and the need for effective communication with both animal owners and public health officials. Staying current with emerging diseases and updated treatment protocols is crucial, as is implementing rigorous hygiene and containment measures in clinical or research environments. Collaborating closely with veterinarians, laboratory staff, and epidemiologists can help address these challenges, ensuring timely diagnosis, outbreak control, and improved animal and public health outcomes.
Infographic showing various Veterinary Infectious Disease job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 75% In-person, and 25% Remote job distribution.

Research Veterinary Medical Officer (PATHOLOGY)

Manhattan, KS


U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

455th of 851 rated public administrative organizations

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer


$89K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

This position is located in with the United States Department (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in the Zoonotic & Emerging Disease Research Unit (ZEDRU), at the National Bio & Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), in Manhattan, Kansas.
In this position, you will work as a research scientist on the project addressing the spread, to domestic animals, of the Hendra and Nipah viruses.
*Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel.

Qualifications:Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT (IOR)
Basic Requirement
Degree: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor
(VMD), obtained at a school or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary
Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA). The AVMA web site, http://
www.avma.org (external link), has a listing of all AVMA-accredited veterinary medical schools.
OR
Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools that are not accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (Refer to AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org (external link) for information about schools in this category) must meet one of the following requirements.
  • Proof of certification of their final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG)
  • Possession of a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States that includes successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) or its predecessors, the National Board Examination (NBE) and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT).
  • Proof that the education obtained in a foreign veterinary medical program is equivalent to that gained in a veterinary medical program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. Under this provision, equivalency is established only if an AVMA-accredited veterinary medical school or college accepts the graduate's final transcript from the foreign veterinary medical school at full value for placement into an advanced degree, postgraduate educational program, or training program (e.g. residency or graduate program).
Graduates of foreign veterinary medical programs must also provide proof of proficiency in the English language by successfully completing one of the nationally and internationally recognized examinations that incorporate assessments of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Examples of examinations that assess mastery of the English language are shown below:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Minimum scores for the TOEFL are 560 for the paper-based version; 220 for the computer-based version; or overall score of 83 for the internet-based version (including 26 or higher in speaking, 26 or higher in listening, and 17 or higher in writing). For the computer-based and paper-based test versions, applicants must also complete the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and the Test of Written English (TWE). Minimum required scores are 55 for the TSE and 5.5 for the TWE;
  • Academic tests (listening, writing, and speaking) offered by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 7.0, with at least 7.0 in speaking, 6.5 in listening, and 6.0 in writing;
OR
  • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 70, with at least 60 in speaking, 60 in listening, and 50 in writing.
Graduates of foreign veterinary medical programs must submit test results with their application. Results of more than one test or testing session cannot be combined to meet the standard.
All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement outlined above, as well as the Minimum Qualification Requirement(s) outlined below.
FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, conducting research related to infectious animal diseases; analyzing experimental data and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presenting research findings at professional meetings.
OR
Successful completion of a Master's degree in an area of specialization including, but not limited to: animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or other sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.
OR
RESIDENCY/POST GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of two years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. Applicants will need to provide a certificate or letter documenting the completion of this program.
FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, planning and conducting research focused on infectious animal diseases; analyzing experimental data and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; developing animal models; presenting research at local and national scientific meetings; and developing and executing analytical techniques used to detect animal disease pathogens.
OR
Education Substitution: Successful completion of a Ph.D. degree in an in an area of specialization, including but not limited to, animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.
OR
Residency/Post-Graduate Training Programs: Successful completion of three years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position. OR Board Certification: Specialty boards that are recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) certify eligible candidates as specialists in specific veterinary medical fields. Veterinarians who successfully complete all requirements for Diplomate status in an ABVS-recognized veterinary specialty organization may qualify for the GS-13 grade level.
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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications.

Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education:FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service, planning, conducting, and leading research focused on infectious animal disease; analyzing experimental data and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; developing new analytical techniques to study virus-vector-host interactions of foreign animal disease pathogens; presenting research results at national and international scientific meetings; managing funds on research grants; and ensuring the development of well-trained scientific and technical staff.
Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.
FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service, developing and leading an interdisciplinary, collaborative research program focused on the prevention and control of
foreign animal diseases in livestock animals; publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; presenting research results at national and international scientific meetings; developing new analytical techniques to study virus-vector-host interactions of foreign animal disease pathogens; managing funds on research grants; and developing collaborative relationships with government officials, scientific organizations, and internal and external industry stakeholders to coordinate research efforts and validate research results.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade levelEmployment Type: OTHER


What United States Department Of Agriculture employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom