State Veterinarian (35 Hour)

The mission of the State of Connecticut, Department of Agriculture (DoAg) is to foster a healthy economic, environmental and social climate for agriculture by developing, promoting and regulating agricultural businesses; protecting agricultural and aquacultural resources; enforcing laws pertaining to domestic animals; and promoting an understanding among the state's citizens of the diversity of Connecticut agriculture, its cultural heritage and its contribution to the state's economy. 

The Department of Agriculture is seeking a full-time State Veterinarian, as authorized by Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) Sec. 22-26f ("State Veterinarian"), who will act as the state's chief livestock health official, and epidemiologist for the prevention and control of animal and poultry diseases. 

This position is within the Department's Bureau of Regulatory Services and is conveniently located at the Department's main office in Hartford, CT, but the incumbent will have statewide oversight. The incumbent will be under the general guidance of and report directly to the Director of the Bureau of Regulatory Services. 

This position is full-time, 35 hours per week. The schedule of days and hours may require work on some weekends and holidays, depending on regulatory and inspection needs. The position requires travel throughout the state for inspection purposes and to carry out the assigned duties. In addition, the incumbent may be required to travel outside of the state for program conferences and training. 

State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes: 

• Excellent health and dental coverage; 
• A generous retirement plan; 
• Paid time off; 
• A healthy work/life balance! 

Specific duties include but are not limited to the following: 
• Act as the official state animal health official and state epidemiologist for contagious and infectious animal and poultry diseases.
• Issue a list of reportable animal and avian diseases and reportable laboratory findings and amend such list as the State Veterinarian deems necessary.  
• Coordinate state and federal governmental agencies and livestock and poultry producers to prevent and control diseases.
• Administer and guide the development and management of disease control and eradication programs performed by the Department. 
• Issue orders to prevent the spread of contagious and infectious diseases among animals and poultry and may protect the public from such diseases as may be transmissible either directly or through the products of such animals.  
• Provides technical support and training to other units within the Department included but not limited to disease testing procedures, laboratory sample submissions and animal neglect and cruelty investigations.
• Serve as the Commissioner’s designee to review for approval dog and cat rabies vaccination exemption applications submitted by veterinarians that meet the requirements prescribed in C.G.S. Sec. 22-339b.
• Act as liaison with other units in the department, other state and federal agencies and other officials regarding policies and procedures concerning disease surveillance and control; the protection of public health; and animal care and welfare.  
• Supervise the quarantine and disposal of animals and poultry condemned because of disease. 
• Oversee compliance with state and federal animal import and export regulations including disease testing requirements. 
• Advise the Department’s Commissioner of disease threats to domestic animals and the general status of the State’s animal health. 
• Supervise and participate in the preparation and maintenance of a variety of standard records and reports related to assigned program (such as developing and administering animal health programs and policies, including participation in the law and rule making process, as needed).
•  Perform day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining files and processing paperwork and  responding to telephone and email inquiries from veterinarians and the public.  
• Provide public outreach in areas such as animal care and animal and poultry diseases, especially zoonotic diseases with a public health significance, and other Department programs to industry stakeholders, youth groups and the public.

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• Knowledge of principles and practices of veterinary medicine with particular reference to surveillance, diagnosis, prevention and control of food animal, equine and companion animal diseases; 
• Knowledge of the epidemiology of high impact and reportable animal and poultry diseases; 
• Knowledge of food safety and public health with respect to animal-derived foods; 
• Knowledge of the One Health approach to achieve optimal health outcomes; 
• Experience communicating with diverse populations about animal care, livestock and poultry disease prevention/control programs and zoonotic diseases.