Veterinary Program Specialist I (POULTRY)

North Carolina Utilities Commission; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive state benefits

Job summary

North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a Veterinary Programs Specialist I to coordinate poultry health programs, conduct audits, and ensure regulatory compliance across the Veterinary Division.

The role involves collaboration with state and federal partners, travel for audits, and potential evening/weekend duties. A Bachelor’s degree or GED with related experience is required, with growth opportunities in a large state agency.

Qualifications

• Pre-employment drug testing for all law enforcement and related positions.
• USDOT medical certificate required prior to employment; CDL may become a requirement if listed as a preference.
• Bachelor's degree or GED with four years of related experience, or an equivalent education/experience.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate state and federal poultry disease programs (NPIP/BCAP) via flock scheduling, testing, and audits.
• Oversee compliance with NCDA&CS Vet Division laws; investigate complaints; draft official warnings and civil penalties.
• Handle animal emergency preparedness, response, and biosecurity planning for disease outbreaks.

Skills

Biosecurity principles

Disposal methodologies

Conflict resolution

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree

GED or equivalent experience

Job description

Agency Dept of Agriculture , Consumer Services Division Agriculture Consumer Service Job Classification Title Veterinary Program Specialist I (S) Position Number 60012233 Grade NC09

About Us

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.

Description of Work

Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above. 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)
  • Poultry
  • Livestock
• Diagnostic Laboratories
• Animal Welfare Programs

As a Veterinary Programs Specialist (VPS) I assigned to poultry health, this position has three primary responsibilities:

• 1) Facilitation of state and federal poultry disease programs, primarily the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) and the Biosecurity Compliance Audit Program (BCAP), via independent flock scheduling/testing and corporate audits/inspections.
• 2) Oversight of compliance with laws and regulations under the jurisdiction of NCDA&CS Vet Division, including investigation and documentation of complaints, with the authority to draft official warnings and civil penalties for instances of improper disposal.
• 3) Animal emergency preparedness, response, and management duties. VPS I’s should expect to be called upon for expertise surrounding depopulation, disposal, and/or disease biosecurity in the event of natural disaster impacting animal agriculture or disease outbreak response*.

In the process of carrying out these responsibilities, this position is expected to build relationships within the poultry industry that can allow them to function as a point of contact during emergency response situations.

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 the industry’s and other NCDA&CS stakeholder needs. Significant travel can be expected with this position, which may entail some overnight trips.

Applicants must live in or be willing to relocate at their own expense to one of the listed counties served.

* Seasonal vaccination against influenza is considered a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ) for this position.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $41,206 - $46,574

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. 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.

Qualifications and Responsibilities

All Law Enforcement positions, aviation safety-sensitive positions, and positions requiring a Pilot's License or a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing.

All positions requiring a Commercial Driver's License shall also be subject to pre-employment DMV physicals.

Selected applicants must obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) medical certificate prior to employment.

If a CDL is listed as a preference and the selected applicant has a CDL at the time of hire, then the CDL will become a requirement for the position.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution; or High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and four years of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Benefits

Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more about the benefits of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website.