Become a Veterinary Medical Officer (Clinical Care) at Fort Richardson, Alaska

Are you a dedicated veterinarian looking for a meaningful career path that respects your personal time? The Department of the Army is offering a premier opportunity to step into a structured, highly rewarding clinical role as a Veterinary Medical Officer (Clinical Care) NF-04 at the Fort Richardson Veterinary Treatment Facility. Nestled within the spectacular landscapes of Alaska, this position offers an exceptional avenue to practice high-quality preventative veterinary medicine while supporting military personnel, their families, and their beloved companion animals.

Unlike traditional corporate and private veterinary roles that demand extreme working hours, hectic emergency rotations, and administrative headaches, this federal position with the U.S. Army Medical Command is designed to provide professional fulfillment without compromising your lifestyle. Discover why this unique part-time role might be the perfect next step in your veterinary clinical career.

About the Agency: Public Health Command

The Public Health Command - Fort Richardson Veterinary Treatment Facility operates under the broader umbrella of the U.S. Army Medical Command. As a major department of the military, the Veterinary Service manages over 130 veterinary clinics worldwide. This global veterinary network is charged with double duties: maintaining the clinical health of military working animals, providing vital pet wellness and emergency services to service members and their dependents, and sustaining the readiness of military veterinary staff.

Working for the Department of the Army’s Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) Instrumentalities allows civilian veterinarians to leverage the robust structure of a federal practice. Employees work alongside supportive medical technicians and have streamlined access to highly specialized consultants, advanced diagnostics, and a network of veterinary specialists throughout the Department of Defense. It is an organization that values standard-of-care excellence, community health, and professional collaboration.

Job Responsibilities of a Clinical Veterinary Officer

In this role, you will be the primary clinician serving a large population of privately owned animals belonging to active duty military members, retirees, and their families. Your duties will span clinical medicine, soft-tissue surgeries, diagnostic work, and public health communication.

Key responsibilities include:

Comprehensive Wellness Care: Conducting physical examinations, designing customized vaccination programs, diagnosing illness, and offering preventative medicine strategies to preserve patient health.
Surgical and Dental Care: Performing routine and therapeutic soft-tissue surgeries and essential dental therapies to support local pets.
Advanced Diagnostics: Collecting body fluids, tissue, and fecal samples for testing, as well as interpreting laboratory results, radiographs, and other diagnostic data.
Health Certifications: Inspecting animals and issuing domestic and international health certificates for military families undergoing Permanent Change of Station (PCS) transfers.
Clinical Leadership: Directing and mentoring Animal Health Assistants, ensuring that clinic nursing practices conform to modern veterinary standards and that animal safety protocols are strictly enforced.
Detailed Administration: Maintaining clear, detailed, and legally compliant medical charts in accordance with federal and military record-keeping standards.

Requirements and Qualifications

To ensure top-tier care for military families, candidates must meet specific professional criteria. Below is an outline of the basic and preferred qualifications required for the NF-04 grade level:

Basic Requirements

Professional Degree: You must hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree, or an equivalent foreign credential, from a school or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education.
Licensure: You must possess an active, unrestricted, and valid state license to practice veterinary medicine. This license can be issued by any U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
Physical Demands: This clinical role requires physical endurance. You must be able to stand for long periods, kneel, reach, sit, bend, and lift up to 45 pounds. Full functional use of hands, fingers, and legs is necessary. The workspace is also subject to intermittent excessive noise from patients and equipment.
Resume Page Limit: Your resume must be strictly two (2) pages or less. This is a hard constraint utilized by the federal hiring process; any page past the second will not be reviewed, which can lead to disqualification.

Highly Preferred Qualifications

USDA/APHIS Accreditation: Candidates who hold active accreditation from the United States Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) to sign federal interstate and international health certificates are classified as "Highly Preferred" or "Best Qualified."

Salary, Compensation, and Hours Overview

The compensation for this position is pay-banded under the NF-04 pay grade, with pay being highly competitive and pro-rated based on a standard 40-hour work week.

Hourly Pay Range: $47.92 to $52.71 per hour
Equivalent Annual Salary: $100,000 to $110,000 (pro-rated to actual hours worked)
Work Hours: Part-time schedule with a minimum of 20 guaranteed hours per week. Actual weekly schedules can range between 20 and 39 hours depending on clinic needs, to be coordinated after onboarding.
Allowances and COLA: A non-foreign cost-of-living allowance (COLA) of 1.49% may be paid to eligible employees, as authorized by the Garrison Commander.
Relocation Expenses: Please note that payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or relocation costs is not authorized. Candidates must reside within a 50-mile radius of Fort Richardson/Anchorage, AK, or be prepared to self-fund their relocation.

DoD Veterinary Clinical Practice vs. Private Corporate Practice

Choosing a career path within the Department of Defense offers unique structural advantages over traditional private or corporate clinical practices:

Feature	Army NAF Veterinary Practice	Private Corporate Veterinary Practice
Work-Life Balance	High; strict part-time schedules with no overtime pressure	Moderate to Low; long hours and high pressure for production
Emergency On-Call	None; predictable hours with no after-hours emergency rotations	Common; regular overnight, weekend, or holiday on-call duties
Client Base	Military members, retirees, and their families (highly appreciative)	General public with high variability in compliance
Resource Access	Connected to a global network of DoD specialists	Dependent on local corporate contracts and referrals
Professional Focus	Patient wellness, high standard of care, and preventative medicine	Corporate sales quotas, production percentages, and upsells

Benefits and Perks

Employment with the Army Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) offers robust, comprehensive benefits packages that provide peace of mind and long-term security. Even as a part-time employee, you gain access to a host of valuable perks:

Financial & Retirement Plans: Access to the NAF 401(k) retirement plan with agency matching, as well as separate retirement plan options.
Health and Well-being: Eligibility for enrollment in comprehensive group health and life insurance programs.
Time Off: Generous paid personal time off and paid federal holiday leave to help you enjoy everything Alaska has to offer.
Base Amenities: Access to premium, secure military installation facilities, including state-of-the-art fitness centers, libraries, and other MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) activities.
Professional Growth: Structured training, education, and development pathways tailored to helping veterinary medical professionals stay abreast of the latest medical breakthroughs.

Application Tips and Strategy

Federal applications differ significantly from corporate jobs. To ensure your application successfully moves past the automated tracking systems and into the hands of a hiring manager, use the following guidelines:

Format a Strict Two-Page Resume: Create a concise, high-impact resume that does not exceed the two-page limit. Save it as a PDF (under 5MB) to preserve margins, text alignment, and design integrity.
Tailor Content directly to the Questionnaire: Review the preview of the application questionnaire before applying. Detail your clinical experience using precise keywords from those questions so that HR can easily cross-reference your answers with the details on your resume.
Gather Your Supporting Credentials: Prepare clean digital copies of your AVMA-accredited DVM/VMD degree, your active state license, your unofficial transcripts (ensure the degree conferral date is printed), and your USDA/APHIS accreditation.
Proofread and Verify: Double-check that your email address and phone number are correct in your USAJobs profile. Once uploaded, wait for your documents to clear the automatic virus scanning tool before submitting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I apply if my veterinary license is not from the state of Alaska?

Yes. Because the Fort Richardson Treatment Facility is located on a federal installation, a valid, unrestricted license from any U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia is fully acceptable.

Q2: What is the primary focus of this veterinary clinic?

Our clinics are committed to providing affordable, premium preventative wellness care, routine vaccinations, and minor surgical interventions for pets of military service members, alongside sustaining critical public health operations.

Q3: Is there a deadline for submitting my application?

Yes. The complete application package must be submitted through USAStaffing by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on September 2, 2026.

Q4: Are there options for full-time conversion?

While this position is officially listed as part-time (guaranteed 20–39 hours per week), your application remains valid for 90 days. If a full-time vacancy or additional clinical needs arise within that period, you may be referred for other openings.

If you are ready to trade the chaotic demands of private emergency practices for a structured, fulfilling clinical role in one of the nation's most scenic destinations, this Veterinary Medical Officer position at Fort Richardson, Alaska, is calling. Enjoy the unparalleled natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, make a real difference in the lives of military families, and secure a predictable work schedule that values your personal time. Prepare your two-page resume, gather your credentials, and submit your application today to start your journey with the Public Health Command.

Why This Veterinary Medical Officer (Clinical Care) Nf-04 Job Matters

Ditch the veterinary burnout and escape to the stunning landscapes of Alaska—enjoy a part-time, predictable schedule caring for the pets of military families at Fort Richardson, with absolutely no emergency on-call demands.

Veterinary Medical Officer (Clinical Care) Nf-04 Job Overview

The Department of the Army is seeking a compassionate, skilled Veterinary Medical Officer (Clinical Care) NF-04 to join the Public Health Command team at the Fort Richardson Veterinary Treatment Facility in Alaska. This part-time position offers a guaranteed 20 to 39 hours per week, allowing you to establish an ideal work-life balance while delivering exceptional veterinary care to the companion animals of dedicated service members. Located in the majestic surroundings of Fort Richardson and Anchorage, this role focuses on preventative wellness, clinical medicine, surgical care, and public health guidance, with no mandatory after-hours emergency rotations. Candidates with an active U.S. veterinary license and a DVM or VMD from an AVMA-accredited institution are highly encouraged to apply.

Requirements for Veterinary Medical Officer (Clinical Care) Nf-04

Must possess a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree from an AVMA-accredited school.
Must possess an active, unrestricted state license to practice veterinary medicine from any U.S. state or territory.
Must limit resume submission to exactly two (2) pages or less to be considered.
Must provide official college/university transcripts prior to the time of hire (unofficial transcripts accepted for initial qualification review).
Must meet physical demands: ability to lift up to 45 pounds, stand for long periods, kneel, reach, sit, and handle animal restraint.
Must have use of fingers, both hands, and both legs.
Must tolerate working in an environment with intermittent excessive noise.
Must pass background checks and suitability/fitness adjudication.
Must meet Selective Service registration requirements (if applicable).

Preferred Qualifications for Veterinary Medical Officer (Clinical Care) Nf-04

Possess active United States Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) accreditation.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive hourly pay-band rate ($47.92 to $52.71 per hour) with pro-rated annual salary.
✓Access to a comprehensive 401(k) plan with employer contributions.
✓Eligible for health and life insurance programs (subject to terms).
✓Paid personal time off and federally recognized holidays.
✓A 1.49% non-foreign cost of living allowance (COLA) differential, contingent on eligibility.
✓Generous work-life balance with a predictable schedule and no mandatory emergency on-call hours.
✓Full access to premium on-base recreational facilities, fitness centers, and libraries.
✓Vast professional network of military veterinary specialists for professional growth and support.

💡 How to Apply Veterinary Medical Officer (Clinical Care) Nf-04 Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Veterinary Medical Officer (Clinical Care) Nf-04 Job

Go to the official job posting on USAJobs using the application link.
Ensure your resume is formatted professionally and limited strictly to two (2) pages or less and is under 5MB (PDF format strongly recommended).
Prepare your supporting documents, including your DVM/VMD degree, active state veterinary license, transcripts, and USDA accreditation (if applicable).
Click the 'Apply' button to log in or create a USAJOBS account.
Fill out the online assessment questionnaire and upload all required files.
Confirm your information, double-check your uploaded documents to ensure they cleared the virus scan, and submit your application package before 11:59 PM EST on September 2, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Adhere strictly to the two-page resume rule. Federal recruiters are legally mandated to discard pages beyond the two-page limit, and failure to comply could result in immediate disqualification.
Clearly highlight your AVMA-accredited degree, your active state license number, and your USDA accreditation on the first page of your resume.
Write your resume defensively: match your experience and duties to the requirements listed in the questionnaire. Never assume the recruiter will read between the lines or infer your skills.
Review your electronic files after uploading. Verify that your transcript clearly displays the degree awarded date and that your license document shows current validity.
If claiming selection preferences (such as NAF Priority, Veteran, or Spouse preference), ensure you attach complete supporting documentation, such as a DD-214, SF-50, or PCS orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the work schedule for this Veterinary Medical Officer position?

This is a part-time position with at least 20 guaranteed work hours per week. Based on clinical demands and facility scheduling, your hours may be scheduled anywhere between 20 and 39 hours per week.

Do I need to hold a state veterinary license specifically for the state of Alaska?

No. Because this is a federal position, you may hold an active, unrestricted veterinary license from any U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia to be considered qualified.

Is relocation assistance or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) payment provided?

No, payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or relocation costs is not authorized. Candidates residing outside the local area must relocate at their own expense.

What is the hourly and yearly salary for this position?

The position falls under the NF-04 pay band, which pays an hourly wage of $47.92 to $52.71. The pro-rated annual salary ranges from $100,000 to $110,000, depending on hours worked and experience.

Is USDA/APHIS accreditation mandatory for this job?

No, USDA/APHIS accreditation is not mandatory for initial eligibility, but candidates who possess it are designated as 'Highly Preferred' or 'Best Qualified' during the evaluation process.