This position is pending Department of Finance approval.
Under the administrative direction of the Director of Animal Health and Food Safety Services, the Assistant Director, State Veterinarian, is responsible for the planning, organizing, and directing of the Animal Health Branch, Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship Branch, the Blood Banks Program, the California Animal Response Emergency Support Program, and One Health Program. The Assistant Director also functions as the State Veterinarian with statutory authority to act in the prevention, detection, and eradication of livestock and poultry diseases that impact animal health, human health, and the economy.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions The duties of this position are performed indoors approximately 95% of the time in an office environment. The employee's workstation is equipped with standard office equipment including a computer, printer, and telephone with voicemail. The employee may be required to travel to field office locations, emergency response Incident Command Posts, or attend meetings in other geographic locations. The incumbent will be involved in occasional agricultural fieldwork, as needed. The incumbent can expect exposure to extremes in temperature, high levels of noise, heavy machinery, laboratory equipment, and other environmental aspects frequently found in agricultural settings. Travel (including nights, weekends, and holidays) for extended periods may be required, by air, State vehicle or other transportation methods, to various locations throughout the United States.
This position may/may not be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the CDFA and based on the current telework policy. While the CDFA supports telework where possible, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises, as determined by the Department.
Minimum Requirements This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.
Additional Documents - Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details Job Code #:
JC-526282
Position #(s):
014-101-7500-XXX
Working Title:
Assistant Director, State Veterinarian
Classification:
C. E. A. $10,349.00 - $16,383.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time
Department Information The Mission of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is to safeguard a resilient food system and promote an equitable marketplace, cultivating a California grown food supply that is globally recognized for innovation, quality, and sustainability.
The Animal Health and Food Safety Services division (AHFSS) is responsible for the safety and security of meat, poultry, and dairy products, along with other foods of animal origin. AHFSS provides services to protect the public and animal health through prevention, detection, and eradication of livestock and poultry diseases and dairy contamination incidents, including support for the Animal Health and Food Safety laboratory network in California. In addition, the division protects cattle owners against loss of animals by theft, straying or misappropriation through ongoing inspections and investigative services. The Division also provides services to prolong the effectiveness of antimicrobials through monitoring use in livestock and providing stewardship guidance and provides animal care oversight by ensuring covered products sold in California are from animals meeting minimum housing standards. Finally, the Division works with the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to support animal needs during disasters.
Special Requirements This position is designated under the Conflict-of-Interest Code. The position is responsible for making or participating in the making of governmental decisions that may potentially have a material effect on personal financial interests. The appointee is required to complete Form 700 within thirty (30) days of appointment, on an annual basis, and upon vacating the position. The incumbent must complete an Ethics orientation training course within six months of assuming a Form 700 covered position, and every two (2) years thereafter, by December 31 of each numbered year. Failure to comply with the Conflict-of-Interest Code requirements may void the appointment
Application Instructions Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 8/17/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Food & Agriculture
Attn: Human Resources Branch JC-526282
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento , CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Food & Agriculture
Attn: Human Resources Branch JC-526282
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento , CA 95814
ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-495919
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is required and must be included.
- Statement of Qualifications -
A completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your State Application (STD. 678) to be considered. The SOQ must follow the specific instructions stated in the "STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS CRITERIA" section.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Examination Qualification Requirements All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.
Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.
General Qualifications
State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.
Knowledge and Abilities Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy - influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:
- Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department's or agency's Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager's role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
- Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department's or agency's Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.
These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):
CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.
CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.
CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.
Examination Information If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.
A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.
The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.
Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.
The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.
Special Testing Arrangements If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.
Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Human Resources Contact:
Ronnie McDaniel
(916) 415-3078
[email protected] Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
EEO Officer
(916) 654-1005
[email protected] California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS CRITERIA In addition to the Examination/Employment Application (STD. 678), all interested applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). The SOQ is comprised of the seven (7) factors listed below which address how each applicant's education, training, experience, and skills qualify them for the position. The SOQ also serves as documentation of each applicant's ability to present information in a clear and concise manner. The SOQ must be typed in 12-point font, no longer than four (4) single-sided pages, and each response must be numbered. R
