Role Overview:

The Poultry Health Veterinarian is a key contributor to the Indiana Board of Animal Health's avian health programs, with a primary focus on commercial and backyard poultry health and biosecurity. This role advances statewide planning, preparedness, prevention, response, recovery, and resilience activities associated with diseases and pests of poultry. The role works with the Avian Programs Division Team and the Indiana State Poultry Association to implement the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) within Indiana. The veterinarian collaborates closely with industry partners, producers, laboratories, academic institutions, and state and federal agencies to protect animal health, safeguard the food supply, and support continuity of poultry operations.

Role Responsibilities:

• Implementation day-to-day functions of the NPIP in Indiana, including enrollment, compliance oversight, audits/inspections, surveillance testing coordination, and certification/recertification processes.
• Interpret and apply NPIP rules, standards, and testing protocols; provide technical guidance to producers, hatcheries, dealers, and laboratories.
• Develop and update avian health plans, SOPs, and biosecurity guidance.
• Conduct risk assessments and advise on disease prevention practices.
• Design and deliver training and outreach to producers and veterinarians.
• Coordinate surveillance activities for avian diseases.
• Collaborate with diagnostic laboratories to ensure appropriate testing.
• Serve as a veterinary lead during avian disease events, supporting ICS/NIMS operations.
• Coordinate continuity-of-business practices and secure supply activities.
• Liaise with poultry companies, industry groups, and government partners.
• Contribute to policy development and rulemaking related to avian health.

Required Qualifications:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited college of veterinary medicine.
• License to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Indiana (or eligibility to obtain).
• Accreditation by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
• Poultry experience is not required for this role if you are interested in poultry health and are willing to learn.

Salary:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $80,600.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life:

Animal Health Oversight

• Ensure that private veterinarians are properly testing, inspecting, and vaccinating animals.
• Perform a variety of inspections and tests on animals to ensure that the livestock meet state and federal animal health standards.
• Order the rejection of sale of diseased animals or animal products.
• Assist other veterinarians in diagnosing and treating problem cases.
• Issue quarantines for animals and ensure compliance with state livestock quarantine requirements.
• Collect samples from livestock and prepare specimens for shipment and laboratory testing.
• Make epidemiological studies to trace diseased animals back to the farm of origin.
• Provide information on livestock diseases and their control to farmers and other interested organizations to promote cooperation with the state program.
• Inspect laboratories and markets for conformity with Indiana Board of Animal Health laws and regulations.
• Create and maintain a variety of records and reports on all phases of veterinarian activities.
• Work with law enforcement agencies to evaluate the care of animals and provide expert advice and testimony on the condition of animals and circumstances surrounding animals.
• Work with animal owners to improve the care of animals to conform to minimum legal standards.

Field Operations

• Travel from home office on most workdays to inspect, audit, examine, survey, or investigate clients, customers, or other regulated entities and document activities and findings.
• Report to the agency's office for occasional meetings or events.
• Adjust number and timing of work hours daily or weekly to accommodate operational needs, minimize expenditures for repeated visits, and allocate resources 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:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Broad knowledge of the principles and practices of veterinary medicine and the ability to identify animal diseases and symptoms.
• Specialized knowledge of animal pathology and ability to perform procedures on animals in the diagnosis of livestock diseases.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise technical reports.

• Extensive knowledge of pertinent federal and state laws and regulations and the principles and practices governing the control and eradication of communicable and infectious diseases in livestock.
• Extensive knowledge of livestock industry practices in the state.
• Ability to make epidemiological investigations in disease outbreaks.

• Ability to secure compliance with laws and regulations firmly, tactfully, and impartially.
• Ability to communicate tactfully and firmly with a variety of different people encountered on the job.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, farmers and livestock operators, federal government representatives, and the general public.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree from an accredited veterinary college.
• Must be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Indiana, and accredited by the US Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).

Individuals should have the ability 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
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) 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 and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • 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

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