Salary : $78,120.00 – $105,096.00 Annually
Location : Multiple Locations – Western Washington, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Job Number: 2023-10776
Department: Dept. of Agriculture
Division: Animal Services
Opening Date: 08/22/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
AGRICULTURE – A Cornerstone of Washington’s Economy
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.
The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.
Apply Early! The first review of applications is scheduled for September 4th, 2023.
We are hiring a SW Regional Field Veterinarian to join our team!
The Animal Health Program promotes the economic vitality of the livestock industry by minimizing exposure to animal diseases. The program conducts active surveillance and respond to disease outbreaks. Engaging with stakeholders through education and outreach while promoting planning and preparedness to ensure continuity of business in the event of a disease outbreak.
As a Regional Field Veterinarian at the Department of Agriculture this position protects Washington State’s natural resources, agriculture industry, and the public from selected animal pests and diseases. This is largely done through disease surveillance, control, containment and eradication. The Field Veterinarian ensures a secure food supply and continuity of business for interstate and international trade by safeguarding movement of animals and animal products through plan development, regulation compliance and education. This position raises public awareness of the Animal Health Programs through education to ensure compliance and cooperation from the industry and the veterinary stakeholders as well as educates stakeholder groups about livestock disease threats, diseases of regulatory significance and the potential for regulatory steps during response times.
Position and Salary Information
WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Regional Field Veterinarian position within the Animal Services Division. This position is located in Southwest, Washington. This position is not represented by a union.
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: $78,120 – $102,540 annually.
In addition to the salary listed above, incumbents residing in King County will receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay stipend.
Employees who voluntarily provide proof of up-to-date COVID-19 booster vaccination, which must include any recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at the time proof is provided to the employer, between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, will receive a one-time lump sum payment of $1,000 to be paid no earlier than July 25, 2023.
Employee Benefits
- A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
- WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
- 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
- All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
- State vehicle and gas card will be provided by the agency.
- Commute Trip Reduction Program.
For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.
Duties
Includes but are not limited to:
Protecting animal and public health in Washington State through regular inspections surveillance, detection, control and eradication
- Conduct disease surveillance and investigations to maintain designated disease-free classifications for the state in the USDA eradication programs. Partner with USDA, WDFW, DOH and WADDL/AHFSL to coordinate investigations and share data.
- Perform confirmatory Tuberculosis testing (CCT), or collect blood for gamma interferon assays on responders/ suspect cases.
- Conduct Brucellosis Market or Slaughter Cattle Investigation trace-backs.
- Conduct routine scrapie surveillance during ethnic holidays upon request.
- Investigate and sample reports of suspect scrapie cases.
- Conduct scrapie surveillance, testing, and herd management programs with producers and the industry to minimize the risk in sheep and goats.
- Conduct surveillance to help prevent, identify, manage, and control notifiable AI outbreaks; emphasizing enhanced Biosecurity practices.
- Review reportable disease reports from WADDL/AHFSL, the Reportable Animal
Disease (RAD) database and/or veterinarians and respond appropriately based
on “actionable” or “monitored” classification. - Manage Equine disease mitigation and management for west side farms.
- Perform Salmonella PT testing and AI sampling for assigned NPIP and Fairs when requested.
- Conduct Foreign Animal Disease surveillance, testing and response activities to detect, eradicate, control and prevent disease.
- Perform field investigations and reports findings to SV and USDA.
- Investigate reports of high morbidity or mortality events in birds and livestock. Ruling out other diseases of potential regulatory or economic importance.
- Issue Hold Orders and Quarantine Orders.
- Coordinate and collaborate with other agencies (USDA, DOH, DFW, etc.) on select disease investigations using Incident Command System principles.
- Attend public livestock auctions in assigned region weekly.
- Monitor markets for compliance with Washington animal health regulations. Inspecting incoming and outgoing paperwork to ensure compliance.
- Work with USDA, WSDA Animal Disease Traceability program and stakeholders to promote the use of official RFID, hand held readers and electronic health and test records.
Act as a liaison from the State Veterinarian’s office to raise public awareness of the Animal Health and Animal Disease Traceability Programs through education to ensure compliance and cooperation from the industry and veterinary stakeholders
- Provide outreach and education to stakeholder groups about livestock disease threats, diseases of regulatory significance, biosecurity, animal disease traceability and Foreign animal disease response.
- Create and present presentations (PowerPoint) on program priorities.
- Attend stakeholder function/meetings to maintain active liaisons with the industry.
- Write articles for stakeholders and affiliated publications.
Provide support for USDA cooperative agreement’s acquired by the department
- Prepare work plan for federal cooperative agreement on a yearly basis.
- Complete quarterly and final reports on cooperative agreement activities.
NOTE: Typical work schedule is Monday through Friday 8 – 5. Employees may be asked to work on holidays or weekends or conduct inspections/investigations on short notice and may be required to travel over a large geographical area during the course of the day. Travel is required and may be on short notice for extended periods of time if outbreak of an animal disease occurs.
Qualifications
Who should apply?
Professionals with:
Required Qualifications:
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an accredited veterinary college.
AND
- Two (2) years’ experience in large, mixed, equine, or food animal practice.
- Ability to acquire and maintain a valid Washington State driver’s license.
- Ability to work with the public and industry related professionals on a daily basis.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in regulatory medicine.
- Experience working at a public livestock market.
- Proficiency in Microsoft applications, especially Word and PowerPoint.
- Strong knowledge in veterinary diagnostics of diseases of animals, including livestock and poultry.
- Strong knowledge of epidemiology procedures.
- Experience in equine and small animal veterinary practice and disease mitigation and management.
- Experience in grant writing or management.
Supplemental Information
How to apply:
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:
• Current resume detailing experience and education
• A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• Three professional references
By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
Applications with comments “see attachments” will be considered incomplete.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email
The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state’s on-line recruitment system.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Department of Agriculture celebrates our differences. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, status as a protected veteran, genetics, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at
Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
Veteran’s Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran’s Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran’s Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible,
Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems’ web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 12-31-2022
01
To be considered for this position you must have included a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to the application. Have you attached the required documents?
- Yes
- No
02
Did you earn a DVM degree from an accredited School of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine?
- Yes
- No
03
Are you able to obtain and maintain a valid WA driver’s license prior to employment?
- Yes
- No
04
Do you have two years’ experience in large, mixed, equine, or food animal practice?
- Yes
- No
05
Do you have any regulatory experience?
- Yes
- No
06
Do you have any experience working at or with a public livestock market?
- Yes
- No
07
Briefly describe in detail your experience writing and/or applying for grant funding. If you do not have this experience, type N/A below.
08
Briefly describe in detail your experience writing educational and/or outreach material for the public. If you do not have this experience, type N/A below.
Required Question