Executive Director Field Operations

This position is designated as SES, Career-Reserved. USDA structures its SES positions into position levels. This is a position level II with a salary range of $204,122 - $216,010 per year. Exceptions to the salary cap may be considered in certain circumstances. SES employees are also eligible to receive bonuses and performance-based awards. Visit http://www.opm.gov/ses/ for additional information and benefits for SES employees.

Provides executive leadership for Field Operations (FiOps), advising the Associate Deputy Administrator on national policies, program operations, and strategic priorities supporting APHIS and USDA missions.

Reviews and evaluates FiOps program effectiveness, initiating operational improvements and coordinating changes with stakeholders to achieve national animal health goals.

Assists in leading Veterinary Services activities across surveillance, preparedness, trade, and response programs, ensuring consistent implementation of comprehensive animal health strategies nationwide.

Recommends budgetary, technological, and operational resources needed to effectively execute APHIS animal health programs and align VS budgets with strategic priorities.

Develops and maintains collaborative partnerships with Federal, State, and private organizations to support coordinated plans, animal health procedures, and emergency response activities.

Oversees national surveillance, preparedness, and incident-response activities related to animal, public, and zoonotic health, including coordination on biosecurity, select agents, and major disease outbreaks.

Serves as a member of the VS Executive Team, contributing expert analysis and policy recommendations on the direction, scope, and implementation of VS programs and initiatives.

Supervises and directs major FiOps program units—including Veterinary Export Trade Services and Port Services—ensuring effective operations, resource management, and achievement of program objectives.

0701 Series 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).