As a licensed and accredited veterinarian, positions are responsible for public and animal health protection in an assigned area of the state through disease detection and diagnosis, analysis, control, eradication, and prevention. Positions direct field investigations; acts as the operations chief in response to foreign animal diseases; and coordinates, interprets and reports the findings from veterinary epidemiological investigations. Positions have supervisory authority over lower-level staff and manage an independent program.

Investigates violations of animal health laws pertaining to livestock and poultry diseases;

Acts as liaison between the State Veterinarian and various livestock stakeholders for the purpose of benefitting general livestock health;

Acts as subject-matter expert and resource to industry stakeholders and government agencies;

Investigates animal health complaints; promotes unbiased information to general public, special interest groups, media, etc., on animal husbandry practices;

Gathers statistical data; interprets laboratory results and diagnose(s) diseases;

Reviews current livestock disease research reports and recommends new practices and procedures;

Develops and maintains program strategic plan;

Manages all aspects, development, operations and vision of a specific program;

Provides education and outreach to key stakeholders in the state and represents agency on national platforms and committees;

Writes articles and engages in public speaking to stakeholders;

Supervises staff;

Performs duties of Field Veterinarian;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: livestock and the livestock industry; incident command system; development of contracts or federal cooperative agreements; managing budgets; supervisory and management practices; effective written and oral communication; public speaking; city, county, state and federal animal health laws; animal health protocols, surgical procedures and animal health issues; regulatory medicine; veterinary diagnostics of diseases of animals, including livestock and poultry; epidemiology procedures; food animal or large animal practices.

Ability to: handle livestock and poultry in a safe manner; follow safety procedures; observe and make assessments; use scientific and diagnostic instrumentation; conduct epidemiological investigations; collect blood, feces, urine or tissue samples from multiple species; exert moderate but not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, lifting, standing, walking and carrying objects and fractious animals of moderate weight; move or relocate up to 50 pounds without assistance and heavier amounts with assistance; potential for exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous and fractious animals, high noise levels, hazardous chemicals, anesthetics and sharp objects.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Must be licensed to practice veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry in the state of Washington.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and five years’ experience in a mixed or large animal practice or regulatory medicine.

New classification: Senior Veterinarian, class code: 545B; adopted June 22, 2023; effective July 1, 2023.