Animal Health Technician Intern
Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory Council (WTCAC) Student Internship
Location: Madison, WI
A. Introduction
With financial support from the Forest County Potawatomi Foundation the Wisconsin Tribal
Conservation Advisory Council (WTCAC) is offering this Internship opportunity for Native American
students pursuing degrees in the Natural Resources sciences. This position is located in the USDA –
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Veterinary Services (VS) office in Madison, WI. The
incumbent serves as an Animal Health Technician and Office Automation Assistant, assisting the Area
Veterinarian in Charge, Area Office and VS field personnel in providing regulatory veterinary services for
the livestock and livestock product industries in Wisconsin. USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (VS)
partners with a variety of agencies and groups, including Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade
and Consumer Protection-Division of Animal Health, APHIS-Plant Protection and Quarantine and others.
Services provided by VS in Wisconsin include domestic livestock disease control like bovine tuberculosis
eradication program, foreign animal disease detection and control, international animal and animal
product export and emergency management preparedness. Special projects related to farm biosecurity
and livestock health may be developed with Tribal colleges and agricultural departments in north central
or north east Wisconsin.
B. Major Duties and Requirements

Provide business administrative support in the Area Office, including customer service; data
entry for exports, programs or outbreak responses (EMRS); maintaining inventory/supplies;
procurement; fleet management; document and records management for cooperative
agreements, export certificates, and other documents as needed.

Assists Veterinary Medical Officers and Animal Health Technicians in conducting field
investigations and livestock testing for domestic program and transboundary disease cases.

Assists Veterinary Medical Officers in inspections of animal product facilities for export.

Conducts assigned activities related to disease control and import/export activities.

Assists on special projects in areas of the state away from duty station.

Assists in the maintenance of equipment and office/warehouse facilities and the transfer of
equipment and supplies to field staff.

May serve as an incidental motor vehicle operator on public and private roads, including rural
forest roads, during daylight and after dark as needed to perform the duties of the position. The
possession of a valid state driver’s license and defensive driver training is a requirement of the
position. Defensive driver training is available online at the Area Office.

Required to maintain an accurate log of daily activities as well as complete time and attendance
and other reports as necessary.
C. Evaluation Factors
Knowledge and Skills Required by Position
The WTCAC intern should have a basic knowledge of Wisconsin livestock industries. Knowledge of
customary Wisconsin agricultural practices would be helpful.
Intern should have some experience in driving 4-wheel drive vehicles, including experience on roads
such as might be found in rural Wisconsin or other remote public land situations. Experience in towing
trailers would be helpful.
Intern should have experience with computers, cell phones and GPS units.
Customer service experience is helpful.
Knowledge for comprehending and working with a wide variety of requirements, permits and
certificates.
Supervisory Controls
This is considered a training position. The position is under the supervision of the AVIC or delegate of the
AVIC. Assignments and activities are directed by the supervisor, and are performed by incumbent on a
continuing basis. Direction and appropriate training is provided as necessary for assigned activities.
However, the incumbent may work in areas where a supervisor is not immediately present and will be
required to utilize initiative in accomplishing work tasks. Incumbent will frequently assist other field
staff who may provide direction and training. Work is reviewed by supervisor for accuracy, effectiveness
and adherence to policy.
Guidelines
Overarching rules and guidelines are found in 9 CFR, VS Memos and Eastern Regional Office (ERO)
policies. The Area guidelines and policies are continually revised through daily discussions, with further
development and issuing of instructional notes, and written guidelines where necessary.
Filing and records retention are done in accordance with APHIS Records Management Handbook
Complexity
The incumbent handles requests for information and assistance for field and area office responsibilities.
The incumbent must have the ability to adapt to changes in the work processes.
The incumbent will provide customer service in dealing with the public and stakeholders
Scope and Effect
A high concern for public service is demonstrated.
Attention to detail in assisting with programs in the field and administrative support in the office
Personal Contacts
Contacts are with other employees in the area office, employees who work at other area offices, export
staff, practicing veterinarians, diagnostic laboratories, and a wide variety of interests who sell
internationally, brokers, shipping agents, dealers, general public, and livestock industry.
Purpose of Contacts:
Contacts are for exchanging information, giving routine directions, ensuring coordination, resolving
problems, making recommendations, establishing full communications, and at all times emphasizing the
necessity for compliance with the requirements.
Physical Demands
The assigned work may require traversing terrain in agricultural environments (fields, farmyards,
pastures) in a variety of weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain and cold. Bending and lifting
of supplies and equipment necessary to complete work tasks may be required.
The work tasks will include periods in an office environment, including sitting at desks and utilizing office
machines, such as computer keyboards and telephones.
Work Environment
The majority of work is performed in an office setting. Field trips will be made with VMOs or AHTs to
farms or export facilities.