Federal Veterinarians: Efforts Needed to Improve Workforce Planning
Abstract
USDA and HHS veterinarians perform crucial work for public and animal health and for emergency response to an economically devastating or highly contagious animal disease--where USDA has a lead role. In 2009, USDA and HHS committed to departmentwide efforts to address veterinarian workforce challenges, such as recruitment. In 2010, OPM issued a strategic plan for federal veterinarians to help improve recruiting initiatives and emergency response plans. GAO was asked to review workforce planning for federal veterinarians. This report examines (1) department-wide efforts USDA and HHS have made for their routine veterinarian workforces, (2) the extent to which USDA has identified the veterinarians needed for emergency response to an animal disease outbreak, and (3) the steps OPM and other federal agencies have taken to achieve the goals of the government-wide strategic plan for the veterinarian workforce. GAO reviewed USDA, HHS, and government-wide workforce plans and interviewed relevant officials.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1174510
Entities
People
- Anika Van Eaton
- Cynthia Norris
- Daniel Semick
- Jessica Lemke
- John Neumann
- Joseph Cook
- Katherine Pfeiffer
- Kevin Bray
- Mary Denigan-macauley
- Patricia Donahue
- Rebecca Shea
- Terry Richardson
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office