Career Center

We at the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) take our responsibilities to you very seriously and are committed to protecting and promoting Georgia's agriculture through superior service and leadership.

• The mission of the GDA is to protect consumers, promote agriculture locally and globally, and assist our customers using education, technology, and a professional workforce.
• The vision of the GDA is to continue to be a globally recognized leader in agricultural excellence through a commitment to safety, quality, growth, and innovation.

Job Summary:

This position is located within the Animal Health Division of the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA). Animal agriculture is the largest sector of agriculture, contributing over $5.8 billion to Georgia's farm gate value.

Assuring that the livestock and poultry sectors remain healthy and productive is one of the top priorities of the Animal Health Division.

The Animal Health Division consists of veterinarians and support staff, diligently working to ensure animal and public health protection, food safety, and successful livestock production.

This position is assigned to the following county:

• Bibb

Applicant must reside in this county or surrounding area or be willing to relocate.

This position will report directly to the State Veterinarian.

Home office based in CENTRAL GEORGIA.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

This position is assigned to the following county:

• Bibb
• Bleckley
• Crawford
• Dodge
• Dooly
• Houston
• Johnson
• Laurens
• Macon
• Peach
• Pulaski
• Twiggs
• Washington
• Wilkinson

Applicant must reside in this county or surrounding area or be willing to relocate.

Job Summary:

The applicant will be expected to reside in central Georgia and will be assigned a multi-county territory with statewide duties involving regular fieldwork and travel supporting Animal Health, Livestock/Poultry, Companion Animal/Equine, and Georgia Meat Inspection programs.

• Exercises various latitudes of independent judgment for investigating, diagnosing, and preventing reportable, program, and foreign animal diseases in animals.
• Partner with other departments, divisions, outside agencies (i.e., USDA, DNR, DPH), and vendors to implement disease investigations, training programs, and meetings, and to fulfill grant objectives and other data requests.
• Provide high-level support for various projects, grants, contracts, implementation of procedures, and/or any specialized functions, including emergency response and procurement of necessary equipment and supplies.
• May supervise staff.
• Assists with orientation, training, and/or guiding team members.

Other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Animal Disease Investigations:

1. Conduct reportable, program, or potential foreign animal disease investigations. Investigations are conducted on an as-needed basis, often with little advanced notice and requiring adjustments to the schedule to accommodate.
2. Obtain diagnostic samples from animals and submit them to the appropriate laboratory for diagnosis; primarily livestock & food animals: cattle, equine, swine, small ruminants, poultry, etc.
3. May issue quarantines to prevent the spread of disease; develop control and eradication plans to eliminate the disease from herds or areas.
4. Enforce state and federal laws and regulations relating to disease control and/or food production.
5. Case management as assigned for multiple cases across a variety of species, including but not limited to, coordinating investigations among multiple parties.

Emergency Response:

1. Participate in emergency Animal Disease response activities as part of GDA’s State Agriculture Response Team or equivalent.
2. Participate in emergency training and exercises in support of Animal Health and Departmental needs.
3. Complete/maintain NIMS/ICS training and position-specific certification as appropriate.

Training:

1. Complete the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician Course.
2. Complete the Program Disease Field Skills Course.
3. As previously described, complete/maintain NIMS/ICS training and position-specific certification as appropriate.
4. As available, complete training with the Georgia Meat Inspection Section to perform Public Health Veterinarian duties at slaughter plants within the territory.
5. Participate in and complete other training as assigned.

Animal Health data management:

1. Maintain training records, continuing education certificates, licensure, and accreditation documentation.
2. Support data entry needs for the Animal Health and Animal Industry Divisions, including but not limited to entering information into databases such as USAHERDS, EMRS, etc.
3. Submit quarterly and year-end progress reports, and any other documentation requirements for cooperative agreements, including but not limited to work plan development and applications for new grant opportunities.

Conduct Outreach:

1. Collaborate with the Director of Creative Projects along with the Emergency Program and Cooperative Agreement manager to develop and implement a quarterly Animal Health update for stakeholders.
2. Provide veterinary accreditation orientation for licensed GA veterinarians.
3. Support implementation of the statewide Animal Disease Traceability program.
4. Present to various stakeholder groups upon request on topics pertinent to the Animal Health Division.
5. Maintain active participation in veterinary medical association groups, and other animal health-related groups as appropriate or assigned.

Other Duties:

Other duties are assigned to benefit the Georgia Department of Agriculture and our mission to protect consumers, promote agriculture locally and globally, and assist our customers using education, technology, and a professional workforce.

Qualifications and Skills:

Doctorate in veterinary medicine or equivalent from an accredited college or university AND licensed by or eligible for licensure by the Georgia Board of Veterinary Medicine; AND Two years’ experience at the lower level Veterinarian 1 (HCP170) or position equivalent OR certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Medical Association AND licensed by the Georgia Board of Veterinary Medicine AND Two years’ experience at the lower level Veterinarian 1 (HCP170) or position equivalent; AND USDA Category II accreditation; AND a valid driver’s license.

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged periods of sitting
• Intermittent periods of walking, squatting, kneeling, restraining animals, driving, etc.
• Exposure to outdoor elements for extended periods
• Exposure to livestock and other animal species
• Must be able to lift 30lb boxes.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:   Preference will be given to applicants, who, in addition to meeting the Minimum Qualifications, possess knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:

• Field experience in veterinary medicine
• Experience in large animal practice
• Considerable knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations about animals
• Comprehensive skill in the detection and identification of diseases/conditions
• Experience with practice management, public administration
• ICS and NIMS courses: 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800, and/or position-specific courses.
• Experience responding to an animal disease event as part of an IMT.
• Effective communication skills – verbal, written, and digital.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of Windows computer operating system and related applications (Word, Excel, etc.) and the ability to quickly learn to use other relevant software. Working knowledge of Microsoft SharePoint.

NOTE: The Georgia Department of Agriculture conducts background checks on all final candidates. The hiring of applicants is contingent upon satisfactory employment verification results, background, criminal records investigations, and motor vehicle reports.

HOW TO APPLY:  Resumes may be submitted by adding to your profile in Team Georgia Careers.

• Via Team Georgia Careers http://team.georgia.gov/careers/

The GDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Due to this office's large volume of submissions, information concerning application and/or interview status cannot be provided.  Selected applicants will be contacted for the next steps in the interview process.  Applicants who are not selected will not receive a notification.

If you need accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Office at (404) 656-3615.