This information is for reference only. These classifications are no longer valid and were replaced 7/1/2020.
This is veterinary work for the Department of Agriculture in the identification, control and/or eradication of livestock diseases.
An employee in this class is responsible for managing and coordinating a variety of disease control and/or eradication programs for cattle, horses, swine, sheep or other livestock in a designated district of the state, or exercises statewide responsibility for a more narrowly focused effort such as the poultry health program. Work involves the inspection of livestock markets, slaughter establishments, hatcheries and breeder facilities to ensure compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations. Work also includes the investigation of infected herds and flocks and the preparation of associated epidemiology reports, the supervision of assigned Animal Health Inspectors and the promotion of division and department programs to owners, producers, market operators and other interested parties. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher-level veterinarian or other designated superior and is primarily reviewed through conferences and the submission of activity, inspection and investigation reports; however, the employee exercises independence and initiative in the performance of assigned duties within established guidelines.
Applicants must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
(The following minimum qualifications will determine merit system eligibility and may be used to evaluate applicants for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions not requiring selection from merit registers.)
Graduation from an accredited school of veterinary medicine.
1. Ability to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Missouri.
2. Ability to obtain federal accreditation to perform animal health regulatory work within timeframes established by the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
This description may not include all of the duties, knowledge, skills, or abilities associated with this classification.
Manages and coordinates diversified programs for control and/or eradication of livestock diseases such as brucellosis, tuberculosis, pseudorabies and equine infectious anemia in a designated district of the state.
Manages and coordinates a limited statewide program for the control and/or eradication of diseases such as pullorum and mycoplasma in poultry.
Conducts official inspections of livestock markets, slaughter establishments, hatcheries and/or breeder facilities to ensure compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations; identifies violations and recommends corrective measures to owners or managers.
Supervises and participates in livestock and poultry disease investigations; gathers information and traces the movement of diseased or exposed livestock to determine the source of exposure; traces slaughtered reactors back to owners; prepares the required epidemiology reports relating to the investigations.
Contacts owners of infected or suspect herds or flocks and explains regulations relating to disease control and eradication; prepares individualized plans for infected herds or flocks; initiates testing, tagging, branding or depopulation procedures when necessary.
Issues quarantines; makes recommendations to superiors regarding quarantine releases.
Ensures all necessary livestock tags and blood and tissue samples are collected from slaughter establishments and forwarded for laboratory analysis.
Interprets and applies animal health statutes and regulations relating to disease identification, control and/or eradication; provides input and feedback to superiors concerning the development and implementation of regulations, policies and procedures.
Conducts meetings with private veterinarians, livestock owners and producers, market operators, dealers and other interested groups to explain and promote state and federal animal health statutes, regulations and programs.
Supervises, schedules and evaluates assigned Animal Health Inspectors; reviews activity reports submitted by inspectors.
Prepares and submits indemnity claims, epidemiology, suspect, reactor, activity and other reports.
Maintains state vehicle and assigned veterinary and office equipment.
Performs other related work as assigned.
Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of veterinary medicine.
Considerable knowledge of state and federal animal health statutes and regulations.
Considerable knowledge of practices and procedures used to control the spread of contagious and infectious diseases in livestock and poultry.
Considerable knowledge of the different species of domestic and exotic animals and poultry typically marketed in Missouri.
Some knowledge of the principles of effective supervision and training.
Ability to interpret and apply statutes and regulations relating to animal health programs.
Ability to train, supervise and evaluate Animal Health Inspectors in proper work methods and procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively and prepare complete and concise reports.
Ability to transport, assemble and use livestock-handling equipment.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, livestock and poultry producers and businesses, private veterinarians, other state and federal officials and the general public.
Ability to adapt to and work in adverse weather conditions.
Ability to work varying schedules and to travel extensively in the performance of assigned duties.