Veterinary Prog Specialist II (POULTRY)

State of North Carolina

4d

About The Position

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness, and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees.
All veterinary services fall under the jurisdiction of the Veterinary Division. It has a very specific mission that focuses on providing animal disease programs designed to control, diagnose and eradicate diseases in livestock and poultry. Most of these animal disease control programs are cooperative efforts with the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services and animal industry groups. The Veterinary Division also administers the North Carolina Animal Welfare Act.
The Veterinary Division is currently comprised of three sections: • Animal Health Programs (AHP) o Poultry o Livestock • Diagnostic Laboratories • Animal Welfare Programs As a Veterinary Programs Specialist (VPS) II assigned to poultry health, this position has regional oversight of: 1) State and federal poultry disease program facilitation, primarily the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) and the Biosecurity Compliance Audit Program (BCAP) but also including the Live Bird Marketing System (LBMS) program. 2) Compliance with laws and regulations under the jurisdiction of NCDA&CS Vet Division including, investigation and documentation of complaints and issuance of quarantines 3) Poultry emergency preparedness, response, and management. VPS II’s are expected to ensure that, within their region, expertise is available to be called upon for depopulation, disposal, and/or disease biosecurity assistance in the event of natural disaster impacting animal agriculture or disease outbreak response. This position serves as supervisor of 5-6 VPS I’s assigned to poultry health that are spread geographically throughout their region of authority and is responsible for their training and professional growth. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, the position may be required to have evening and weekend responsibilities to accommodate stakeholder needs. Significant travel can be expected with this position, which may require some overnight trips. Seasonal vaccination against influenza is considered a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ) for this position.

Requirements

• Ability to speak to the structure of the poultry industry within the United States including different species operation types (e.g. turkeys v. broilers v. layers) and product flow within each as well as implications for National Poultry Improvement Program testing protocols to be followed based upon the company’s desired certifications.
• Experience applying on-farm biosecurity principles utilized for the prevention of disease spread in animal agriculture, and nuanced understanding of frequent biosecurity pitfalls within the poultry industry given its structure.
• Working knowledge of common animal disposal methodologies/technologies and of the practical implementation of these within the poultry industry.
• Demonstrated skill in conflict resolution
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and self-schedule, as programmatic audits and test visits are routinely coordinated and scheduled at the VPS I level.
• Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in the farm animal or cat/dog boarding/shelter industry or a supporting industry, university, or regulatory profession; or High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and six years of experience in the farm animal or cat/dog boarding/shelter industry or a supporting industry, university, or regulatory profession; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• State and federal poultry disease program facilitation, primarily the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) and the Biosecurity Compliance Audit Program (BCAP) but also including the Live Bird Marketing System (LBMS) program.
• Compliance with laws and regulations under the jurisdiction of NCDA&CS Vet Division including, investigation and documentation of complaints and issuance of quarantines
• Poultry emergency preparedness, response, and management.
• Ensure that, within their region, expertise is available to be called upon for depopulation, disposal, and/or disease biosecurity assistance in the event of natural disaster impacting animal agriculture or disease outbreak response.
• Serves as supervisor of 5-6 VPS I’s assigned to poultry health that are spread geographically throughout their region of authority and is responsible for their training and professional growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees