South Dakota State Veterinarian

Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources/Animal Industry Board

Pierre, SD
Position Details

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For more information on the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, please visit https://danr.sd.gov/.

The South Dakota Animal Industry Board seeks to fill the position of State Veterinarian and Executive Secretary. The role of the State Veterinarian is to plan, develop, and direct statewide animal health and meat inspection programs to protect animal industries and public health. For more information on the SD Animal industry Board, please visit https://aib.sd.gov/.

Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

directing staff and industries in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs for disease surveillance, control, and eradication to ensure physical and economical well-being of animal industries in the state;
negotiating and establishing programs with other state and national governments and with industry organizations to ensure marketability and stability of the state's animal and animal-related products for consumption and export;
planning, developing, and administering marketing and dealing requirements for animals, meat, and other animal products;
proposing laws and regulations such as licensing laws that ensure stability, financial responsibility, and record keeping for auctions, commission firms, dealers, packers, and retailers and safeguard their economic well-being;
informing animal industries and public health officials of current health issues and potential threats to public health and coordinates programs to respond to threats of disease from humans and animals;
informing animal industries of trends and impending issues and concerns, and recommending production strategies to address such concerns, such as food safety verification programs and voluntary animal health certification programs to expand and sustain marketing opportunities;
planning, directing, and administering the state meat inspection program to protect food safety and public health;
developing the state's program to coordinate with USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service program, and ensures the program is maintained equal to or higher than federal standards;
providing input to USDA on the status and needs of the state's program;
developing, implementing, and administering laws, rules, staffing, laboratory services, record keeping, training, and specialty programs to ensure the intent and purpose of the State Meat Inspection program are met;
providing technical assistance to other state agencies, animal production industries, and food processing and distribution industries to ensure the program provides for a safe, wholesome, and unadulterated food supply;
planning, directing, and administering activities of the South Dakota Veterinary Medical Examining Board to ensure licensees meet the requirements to practice veterinary medicine;
performing administrative functions to ensure the goals and objectives of the Animal Industry Board are implemented;
overseeing and authorizing fiscal activities;
supervising;
setting program standards and develops scientific and medical protocols;
developing and administering laws and regulations.
This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.

Licenses and Certifications:
Applicant must have a valid driver’s license for statewide travel and a license to practice veterinary medicine in South Dakota, or ability to become licensed within 30 days.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

knowledge of veterinary medicine;
knowledge of federal and state laws governing animal health, public health, food safety, and the practice of veterinary medicine;
knowledge of animal diseases, their causes and controls;
knowledge of animal vectors, their relations to various diseases, and their control;
knowledge of applicable medical and scientific protocols;
knowledge of principles of effective human relations and ability to deal effectively with the public;
knowledge of fair labor standards and practices;
knowledge of fair hiring procedures and interview practices;
knowledge of principles and practices of public administration;
ability to identify and define problems or potential problems and determine resolutions;
skill to delegate assignments to most appropriate subordinates;
skill to develop new programs or change existing ones to meet changing trends and needs;
skill to analyze information and draw sound and reasonable conclusions.
ability to interpret federal and state laws;
ability to travel.
Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume and cover letter.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE ELIGIBLE

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers employer paid health insurance plus ten paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.