Examples of Work:

• Applies veterinary knowledge to a myriad of circumstances involving both animal health, disease prevention/control/eradication, and meat inspection to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Performs duties of a Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician. This includes responding to reports of suspected Foreign Animal Diseases in West Virginia. Independently conducts official field investigations, including collection and submission of samples for laboratory testing.
• Provides leadership and direction for biosecurity, containment, depopulation, removal/composting, cleaning and disinfection, and area surveillance in the event of an animal disease outbreak.
• Performs epidemiological analyses of livestock during animal disease events, with an ability to both trace back and trace forward livestock to ascertain other herd involvement or potential exposure to disease agents.
• Prepares grant applications, makes procurement and budget recommendations, oversees regulatory laboratories, compiles, and analyzes data. Prepares reports for grantors that reflect progress/status towards goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

• Will be headquartered at either the Guthrie Agriculture Center or the Moorefield Agriculture Center, with the full range of veterinary responsibilities in the assigned area.
• Normal office environment: standing, sitting, walking, lifting, operating a computer and other office equipment, performing calculations, and communicating orally and in writing.
• Non-traditional work hours, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergencies.
• Extensive in-state state travel required with occasional out-of-state travel.
• Position also includes functioning in proximity of working machinery, laboratory operations, poultry, livestock, field necropsy procedures utilizing sharp objects, outside work, and exposure to inclement weather.
• Must be able to lift and/or carry up to 50 lbs.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to create and maintain effective and professional relations for the Department.
• Ability to record data, make observations, and provide professional suggestions to veterinarians and producers.
• Ability to conduct necropsies and collect tissue samples.
• Ability to establish and enforce quarantines.
• Ability to respond to animal disease events.
• Ability to supervise employees.
• Ability to perform epidemiological investigations regarding livestock and animal disease.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with other government officials, employees, and the public.
• Possess strong organizational skills.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules and regulations as they might apply to, or affect, agriculture and associated funding.
• Knowledge of veterinary medicine pertaining to both large and small animals, as well as poultry and aquaculture.
• Knowledge of the proper disposal of infectious waste.
• Knowledge of swine garbage feeding law.
• Knowledge of computers and software, including Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Willingness to undergo any necessary training to become proficient in areas associated with other animal health problems.
• Ability to secure and maintain WV veterinary licensure and Level 2 veterinary accreditation.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.