VETERINARY PROGRAM COORDINATOR 81356 A

Organizes and coordinates a specialized, Statewide program of livestock- or poultry-disease control and eradication, regulatory inspection, or laboratory diagnostic and regulatory testing.

The duties involve responsibility for maintenance of State and Federal standards and regulations pertinent to a specialty such as swine-, cattle-, or poultry-disease eradication and contro1; laboratory diagnostic and regulatory testing; inspection of meat and meat-processing operations; inspection of auction markets and special sales. An important phase of the work is the responsibility for developing and/or testing new techniques of control, inspection or testing and the implementation of proven techniques in field practice. The duties also include participating in the training and evaluation of technically qualified employees. Technical direction is exercised in the specia1ty over the Veterinary District Supervisors who are responsible for carrying out the overall program in an assigned area of the state. Consultative services are given to practicing veterinarians, farmers, dealers, processors and other interested parties as requested. The work is performed under the general direction of the State Veterinarian, and the State Veterinarian Assistant, who outlines policy and evaluates the work through review of activity reports and results obtained.

Examples of duties characteristic of positions in this class:

• Organizes and coordinates a specialized, statewide program for the control and eradication of diseases in one or more of the several classes of livestock or poultry; the regulatory inspection of markets and sales or of meat and meat processing; diagnostic and regulatory testing by district laboratories.

• Investigates and coordinates the investigation of outbreaks of contagious and infectious animal diseases; outlines methods of controlling the diseases and coordinates the implementation of controls.

• Reviews periodical reports from district offices and laboratories to assure maintenance of the State and/or Federal standards as they pertain to a particular phase of the overall program and to watch for outbreaks or sectional appearances of livestock or poultry diseases.

• Works closely with owners and dairy and animal industries and organizations to advise on improved breeding and raising techniques, disease eradication and control measures, plant construction and processing requirements.

• Conducts research on and develops new methods for carrying out the work; determines the usefulness of new methods; develops uniform standards of inspection, enforcement or testing; tests field personnel periodically to assure uniformity of performance.

• Participates in the training and evaluation of professional employees.

• Advises practicing, veterinarians on new sampling, and testing techniques relative to disease control and eradication.

• Gives talks before farm and professional groups and answers questions concerning livestock and poultry diseases and the State and Federal programs as they relate to dairy and animal industries.

• May serve as an expert witness in court cases.

Gradation from a recognized schoo1 of veterinary medicine and four years’ experience in professional veterinary work, two years of which must have been in the area of work to which assigned. Graduate work may be substituted for two years of the required experience on a time equivalent basic.

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of veterinary medicine; thorough knowledge of the causes and symptoms of diseases in livestock and poultry and methods of control; thorough knowledge of the problems involved in the area of work to which assigned; ability to organize and coordinate the implementation of a specialized Statewide program; ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with owners, dealers, processors and private veterinary practitioners; ability to speak effectively before groups.

Last updated: 10/1/61