Animal Health Specialist Date Posted: Dec 11, 2024 Requisition ID: 453457 Location: Indianapolis, IN, US, 46205 Work for IndianaBegin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana. At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we make it our goal to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace with a workforce that is representative of Indiana's population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. About the Board of Animal Health (BOAH): BOAH operates under the direction of an 11-member board of animal industry professionals to: Protect Hoosiers' investment in animal agriculture, wildlife, horses and companion animals. Protect public health by preventing and controlling the spread of animal diseases, such as rabies, which pose a threat to people. Maintain a vital link in a safe food supply through the state meat and poultry and dairy inspection programs. Help people and their animals who are victims of large-scale disasters such as floods and tornadoes. Role Overview: This Animal Health Specialist is assigned to the BOAH Animal Programs Division and works in the BOAH central office in Indianapolis. This position supports multiple programs. Salary Statement: The salary for this position traditionally starts at $42,900.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience. Check out our Compensation Calculator (https://in.accessgov.com/spd/Forms/Page/spd/compensation-calculator/0) to see how much this salary is worth after employer funded benefits! A Day in the Life: The essential functions of this role are as follows:
All Animal Health Specialists will be responsible for the following functions regardless of specific area of focus.
Access, update, and maintain animal health databases and create reporting documents.
Communicate, education, and present program information to a broad range of audiences.
Evaluate information and action on applications and reports as required by animal health statue and rules.
Field Position Additional Functions
Conduct animal health investigations and prepare reports for professional review.
Assist in tissue and other biological sample collection, coordination, and submission.
Perform animal management tasks under the supervision of a veterinarian or scientist.
Conduct inspections of approved livestock facilities, disposal plants and other licensed entities.
Inspect equipment, barns, milk houses and cow lots for general sanitary conditions and physical construction.
Observe cows for general health status, primarily external cleanliness, and physical abnormalities.
Inspect milk pick-up procedures and aseptic sampling techniques by bulk milk haulers.
Observe daily waste storage facilities and disposal methods.
Perform organoleptic examination of milk, including temperature and sediment tests.
Inspect individual water supply and residential sewage disposal facilities.
Collect samples for laboratory evaluation and review laboratory results.
Prepare and maintain technical reports of inspections, document findings and make recommendations.
Investigate reported food poisonings and hazardous events to ensure dangerous, contaminated, and substandard products are eliminated from distribution channels.
Interpret state and federal laws and regulations governing foods utilizing written communications and public information materials.
Review blueprints and specifications of proposed construction and remodeling projects.
Central Office Additional Functions:
Address and track issues such as invalid or non-compliant animal health record submissions.
Collaborate with stakeholders on animal movement issues and traceability.
Communicate with private veterinary practitioners and conduct training on new animal health reporting technologies.
Deliver technological solutions to help improve efficiencies of the animal health programs division.
Process and maintain animal health records such as certificates of veterinary inspection, test charts, import permit requests, and vaccination records.
Review and issue permits for animal movements into Indiana.
Issue animal identification to producers and industry partners and provide support for animal traceability exercises.
Draft, review, and help update animal programs training documents and SOPs.
Essential functions of this position require travel on most workdays to inspect, audit, examine, survey, or investigate clients, customers, or other regulated entities and write reports at those sites or employee’s home. Employee reports to the agency’s office for occasional meetings or events. Number and timing of work hours may vary daily or weekly to accommodate operational needs and staffing concerns at the client’s or customer’s worksite, minimize expenditures for repeated visits to complete the work, and allocate resources to complete assigned work effectively.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time. What You'll Need for Success: This person must have the following requirements to be considered for employment:
Specialized knowledge normally acquired through a combination of post-secondary education (associates or bachelor’s degree or relevant certification) and work experience.
Thorough knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations regarding animal health.
Specialized knowledge of livestock and poultry breeds, management, nutrition, development, behavior, welfare and health.
Ability to apply biological and chemical security principles.
Ability to manage and control individual or groups of animals.
Ability to tactfully gain the cooperation of livestock producers and animal industry partners and other agencies on Board of Animal Health programs.
Be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office suite such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint as well as Outlook and Adobe Reader.
Ability to communicate with people and obtain their maximum voluntary cooperation.
Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports: This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana: The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
150 hours of paid new parent leave
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected].
The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.
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