Public Health Veterinarian

Mentor Training

(PHVM_2026-1200)

February 17-19, 2026

 Nominations are due: Monday, February 3, 2026

Nominations are to be entered in the Registration Application or sent to CFL Class Registration in Outlook (via District Resource Coordinators or Program Area POC) if unable to use the Registration Application, Nominations are to be submitted to CFL Class Registration on the attached Excel spreadsheet if unable to use the Registration Application.  Please include the employee’s full legal name.

The course starts on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 9:00 am ET

(8:00 am CT, 7:00 am MT, and 6:00 am PT)

The course ends on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 6:00 pm ET

(5:00 pm CT, 4:00 pm MT, 3:00 pm PT)

This class starts at 9:00 am ET and ends at 6:00 pm ET on each day of the training.

Course Overview

This training will cover the responsibilities of the Public Health Veterinarian (PHV) Mentor, including an overview of the PHV training program and training in mentoring skills. This training prepares the participant for their role as an official PHV Mentor to newly hired FSIS PHVs.

The topics include Logistics and Overview of the PHV Intern Course; Mentor Responsibilities; Soft Skills (emotional intelligence, mentor-mentee relationship); In-plant Mentoring checklist which includes FSIS organizational structure (resources, such as LERD, EAP, FSC, Workman’s Comp, Workplace Violence, OPPD, AskFSIS, and the chain of command) and administrative skills (performance evaluation, awards, counseling, scheduling personnel, reviewing PHIS data, conflict resolution, discipline, personnel issue management and T&A’s); Rewards/Frustrations of being a PHV Mentor; Issues that PHVs face; and submission of paperwork.

Course Logistics

This course will be instructor-led, conducted virtually (online) through Microsoft Teams.   Participants are required to use a government-issued computer (not shared during the training), audio via computer or phone, and internet access via MiFi, WiFi, or Ethernet. NOTE: Participants are required to use a government-issued computer. If a government-issued computer or other equipment is needed, please submit a request to CEC prior to the class.

Prior to the class, an Instructor will send the Microsoft Teams invitation to participants for accessing the training.  Participants should test the functionality of the computer and other equipment prior to the beginning of the class.

For technical assistance with accessing the training, please email CFLHelpDesk@usda.gov.  Do not contact the CEC Help Desk.  For assistance with government-issued computers, please contact the CEC Help Desk.

If you have any questions regarding the course, email CFL.ClassRegistration@usda.gov. The upcoming course calendar and course materials can be accessed on the FSIS website at: Inspection Training & Videos | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov).