04/20/2007 53221

EPIZOOTIOLOGY PROGRAM MANAGER

DEFINITION: This is professional epizootiology work in the field of veterinary preventive medicine in the Department of Agriculture.

An employee in this job is responsible for directing epizootiological activities for one or more major animal diseases in the Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services. Work includes conducting or coordinating epidemiologic investigations of communicable diseases in animals, analyzing data to determine the risk and fiscal impact of communicable diseases in animals and providing consultative services to departmental staff and agricultural industry representatives on the control and eradication of communicable diseases in animals. Technical direction is exercised over professional, technical and clerical personnel when investigating animal disease outbreaks. Work is performed independently under the general direction of the Director or Assistant Director, Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services. Work is reviewed for conformance to departmental policies, procedures, and results attained in controlling communicable diseases in animals and poultry.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Conducts or coordinates investigations into communicable diseases in animals.

Reviews reports and statistics and interprets findings including risk analysis and fiscal impact.

Maintains a current database of the incidence of each reportable disease occurring in Pennsylvania by calendar year.

Conducts surveillance of animal disease through examination of laboratory, epidemiology and disease reports.

Recommends implementation of systems and procedures for surveillance of specific disease problems.

Develops response protocols for personnel to utilize during outbreaks of specific diseases.

Develops response plans to address laboratory positive test results for diseases of regulatory significance.

Provides technical direction at the time of disease outbreaks including establishing objectives, planning and organizing work, determining priorities, determining or interpreting procedures, and interpreting study findings.

Provides advisory services to departmental personnel and professional and lay groups on the control and eradication of animal diseases.

Conducts and coordinates training for departmental staff and the public.

Oversees procurement and administration of federal and state funding related to disease control in animals.

Performs activities related to Incident Command System/emergency management in the Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services.

Speaks to professional, producer, and industry groups and the general public on epizootiological issues.

Employees in this job may participate in the performance of their subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles, practices, current developments and techniques related to epizootiology.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of preventive veterinary medicine.

Knowledge of controls and causes of animal diseases, including infectious, metabolic, genetic, neoplastic and toxic causes.

Knowledge of the general principles of animal population studies.

Knowledge of literature research methods.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Three years of experience in veterinary medicine related to food animal health, one year of which must have been in epidemiology or in veterinary medicine related to epizootiology.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid license to practice veterinary medicine as issued by a state Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.