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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50686293 |
Description Activated On: 1/23/2026 3:44:40 PM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. Administers Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services (BAHDS) programs and legislatively mandated laws and regulations in Adams, Berks, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Union, and York Counties. In collaboration with Bureau leadership and other Regulations and Compliance Division staff, supports the Bureau’s mission to protect Pennsylvania’s animal agriculture by preventing, detecting, and eradicating dangerous transmissible animal diseases (DTDs), promoting biosecurity and animal health programs, and ensuring compliance with animal health laws and regulations. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Performs inspections of regulated entities that fall under BAHDS authority through law and regulations administered by BAHDS and/or fall under a cooperative agreement maintained by BAHDS: *This includes, but is not limited to: domestic animal dealer/haulers, dead domestic animal disposal businesses, aquaculture propagators, aquaculture dealers, pet stores, markets, poultry farms enrolled in the Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program and/or the National Poultry Improvement Program (NPIP), live bird markets, swine farms enrolled in the Swine Health Improvement Program, garbage feeding swine operations, licensed Cervidae Livestock Operators, and captive cervid premises enrolled in either the Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Monitoring Program or Herd Certification Program. *Performs initial, periodic, and follow up inspections as appropriate. Documents findings. Initiates appropriate follow up actions for documented deficiencies. *As applicable per inspection type, performs animal health inspections, collects samples for regulatory testing, verifies sanitation and biosecurity measures, verifies appropriate standards for disease mitigation are in place, verifies licensure, verifies record keeping requirements are met, ensures required animal identification is in place, ensures applicable permits are obtained, ensures relevant health certifications and testing requirements are met. *Inspects PA-sponsored fairs to ensure compliance with PA regulations, including the Animal Exhibition and Sanitation Act. Inspects health of animals to verify there are no clinical signs of DTDs. Works with fair management and livestock committee members to ensure compliance with animal identification and recordkeeping requirements and to prevent spread of animal and zoonotic diseases. *Reviews, approves, and audits (virtual and/or in person) biosecurity plans for livestock and poultry operations Performs investigations related to DTDs and violations of laws and regulations administered by BAHDS: *Investigates complaints of violations of laws and regulations administered by BAHDS, including complaints of engaging in regulated activities without a license. *Assists with epidemiological investigations to determine domestic animal exposure, disease source, risk factors, and dangerous contacts for DTDs or exposure to dangerous substances. *Investigates domestic animals exposed to, potentially exposing a person or other domestic animal to, or suspected of having rabies. Must maintain working knowledge of Pennsylvania’s Rabies Act, relevant Quarantine Orders and policies, and national rabies guidance documents. Must be able to make decisions regarding rabies exposure, applying appropriate quarantine or observation periods, provide guidance on post-exposure management of domestic animals, and explain the laws, disease epidemiology, and response protocols to stakeholders and veterinarians. Provides guidance to the public on and helps facilitate submission of animals for rabies testing. *Collects biological samples from domestic animals, including but not limited to tissues, blood, feces, or urine for diagnostic purposes using appropriate sample collection, handling, and storage techniques. Assures proper diagnostic sample submission requirements are met. Assists with sample submission to the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Lab System (PADLS), including transport of samples, completion of submission forms, and sample packaging with appropriate biohazard precautions. *Imposes and enforces quarantines to restrict the use and/or movement or otherwise determine the disposition of diseased or exposed domestic animals, derivatives thereof, or contaminated equipment. Periodically checks on compliance with quarantines. *Issues notices of violation, citations, and/or civil penalties as allowed by the Domestic Animal Law. When appropriate, this is done in consultation with supervisor and Division Chief, and with input from the Department’s legal counsel when deemed appropriate by the Division Chief. *Represents the Department in a court of law in cases of violations of laws and regulations administered by BAHDS. Gathers, prepares, and presents evidence pertaining to cases. *Document findings and initiates appropriate follow up actions. Provides outreach to the agricultural community: *Develops and maintains working relations with the agricultural community, including various industry groups, to gain cooperation, resolve complaints, promote program participation, and provide outreach education regarding disease prevention and regulations. *Provides information regarding requirements of mandatory and voluntary programs for livestock and poultry, licensure requirements, biosecurity recommendations, and animal traceability requirements, applicable laws and regulations, and zoonotic disease concerns. *Supports the veterinary community in the Commonwealth by providing practitioners with educational outreach, current regulatory information, and official supplies. *Works collaboratively with other state and federal agencies. *Provides education to the public and the veterinary community on rabies control, prevention, and response. *Trains livestock and poultry producers in biosecurity. *Assists in training Certified Poultry Technicians, Certified CWD Technician, HPAI samplers, and other certification programs administered by BAHDS. Ensures that certificate holders are adequately trained in biosecurity, sample collection techniques, and sample submission procedures relevant to each certification program. *In collaboration with PADLS, follows up on laboratory Quality Check Notices. Provides education and retraining as needed. Assists in animal health emergency response: *Performs assigned duties as a part of the BAHDS Incident Management Team *Work hours during emergency operations may change to 12-hour shifts and may include work on holidays and weekends. *Under the direction of a veterinarian, participates in humane euthanasia and depopulation following guidelines from the American Veterinary Medical Association when required to control DTDs *Obtains training in Incident Command System (minimum 100, 200, 700, 800) *May be responsible for moving emergency response equipment, including towing a trailer. Other responsibilities: *Demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. *Provides accountability of activities and submits appropriate documentation to the Bureau’s database systems. *Completes assigned trainings and follows Standard Operating Procedures. *Implements appropriate biosecurity measures when visiting premises to prevent the spread of disease agents. *Vaccinated with pre-exposure prophylaxis for rabies and obtains periodic rabies titer testing per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. *Demonstrates a commitment to meeting and exceeding expectations of the BADHS customer(s) *Leverages Bureau’s “Continuous Process Improvement” Performance Management System and key performance indicators to drive continuous improvement and enhanced customer service. *Performs other duties as assigned. Essential functions, continued: 11. Work effectively in a team, including during stressful situations. 12. Walk, stand, and maneuver over even and uneven surfaces. 13. May not own or house poultry on the property on which you reside while holding this job title/position. 14. Maintain professionalism at all times |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. *In response to questions regarding regulations and laws administered by BAHDS, provide a written or verbal response, including instruction to regulated entities of actions necessary to stay within compliance. To do this, must be able to analyze an individual agricultural premises, understand animal agricultural production systems, and apply appropriate regulations. *Consults supervisor when the situation requires decision making by a veterinarian *Interprets information gathered during investigations in assigned counties. In consultation with supervisor, determines and implements appropriate action(s). *Appropriately prioritize tasks based on disease risk and needs of BAHDS |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Class C Driver's License 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. N/A |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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