Animal Health Emergency Preparedness and Planning ...

OverviewThis recruitment is open until filled. The first review of applications is scheduled for the week of September 30, 2025. To be considered, please submit your application on or before September 29, 2025. The agency reserves the right to make a hire any time after the initial screening date.AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's EconomyThe Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.The OpportunityThe Animal Health Program is dedicated to supporting the productivity, economic viability, and sustainability of animal agriculture by protecting animal and public health through the promotion of disease prevention, surveillance, traceability, control, and eradication. The Animal Health Program is a trusted partner of animal agriculture providing excellent customer service and science-based information through education, outreach, and communication with our stakeholders.The Animal Health Emergency Preparedness and Planning Coordinator protects Washington State’s natural resources, agriculture industry, and the public from selected animal pests and diseases through surveillance, control and disease eradication. This position analyzes animal health data and disease trends to inform key decisions, assisting with protecting foreign and domestic markets and the freedom to move livestock and livestock products within the U.S. and internationally. This position also develops and updates Animal Health Program Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) based on animal emergency response plans, supervises/completes corrective actions for exercises, confirmed disease events, disasters, and agroterrorism threats to animal agriculture. The coordinator oversees biosecurity plan writing and review and permitting processes to secure continuity of business. This position develops an increasing level of knowledge and awareness in stakeholder groups about livestock disease threats, diseases of regulatory significance, secure food supply plans, biosecurity and the potential regulatory steps that might be required during a response at the county and state level. Provides outstanding internal and external customer service, builds trust through communication, and raises public awareness of the Animal Health Program through education and training to ensure compliance and cooperation from the industry and veterinary stakeholders.Important NotesWSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Animal Health Emergency Preparedness and Planning Coordinator position within the Animal Services Division. This position is approved for a home duty station within the State of Washington. This is a non-represented position.The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: $82,872 to $108,780 annually (Step A - Step L). In addition to the salary listed above, incumbents residing in King County will receive an additional 5% location pay stipend.Preparedness and Response Activities Fulfill veterinarian duties such as surveillance, depopulation, disposal, necropsy and diagnostic sampling during an FAD or emerging disease outbreak. Design and exercise data driven, customized educational resources and training on animal disease response, preparedness and recovery for key regional/county partners with an emphasis on veterinarians, technicians, animal rescues, animal shelter facilities and industry groups. Serve as a liaison WSDA EM Program and Animal Health program to develop and update Animal Health Program SOPs. Maintain corrective action trackers, coordinates assignments and completes tasks to close planning/ preparedness identified by EM program or those identified in CA workplans. Coordinate any trainings/exercises in the Cooperative Agreement workplans. Coordinate large animal equipment training annually. Cooperative Agreement, Grant Writing and Management for Preparedness, Planning and Response Seek out, writes and oversees NADPRP grants or similar grant opportunities. Oversee writing of grant proposals based on needs and priorities for the Office of the State Veterinarian. Serve as Administrative Contact and Program Contact with responsibility of all administrative activities associated with the NADPRP project. Write and oversee USDA emergency preparedness cooperative agreement as assigned and statement of work activities based on USDA priorities. Secure Food Supply Plans, Implements Permitting Processes for Business Continuity Supervise interns, students, veterinarians or temp employees hired to execute plan writing and associated funding streams (grants, emergency CA) with lead cattle health veterinarian. Develop, maintain and execute permitting Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Develop, maintain and execute a plan for auditing SFS plan during an FMD outbreak. Enter approved SFS plans into EMRS for streamlined permitting. Coordinate plan writing scheduling throughout the year for producers, farms, processors for all species upon request. Review existing SFS plans every 3 years. Deliver biosecurity training for key stakeholders including veterinarians, animal event facilities, racetracks, fairgrounds and livestock markets. Subject Matter Expert on EMRS and DRO Use EMRS, Animal Tracks and WSDA mapping tools to analyze data and generate reports to monitor disease trends. Maintain the Emergency Management Response System 2.0 (EMRS2). Maintain current awareness of any changes to incidents, relevant SOPs/incident policies. Required Qualifications Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an accredited veterinary school. Ability to acquire prior to employment and maintain a valid Washington Driver’s License to operate a state agency vehicle. Preferred QualificationsIn addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following: Two (2) years of food animal veterinary experience. Preference given to advanced degrees or board certifications in related field. Knowledge and experience in training for and/or responding to animal disease outbreak or natural disasters. Experience in providing training and facilitating to stakeholder groups. Experience in writing and managing contracts/grants. Knowledge and experience in writing and editing response plans. Good written and oral communication skills. Experience in emergency management and response activities. Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) training: 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 Employee Benefits A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking. WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; for more information. 12 paid holidays & vacations and leave accruals. All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency. How to applyYou must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position: A resume detailing experience and education A cover letter describing your experience in the veterinary profession, experience with emergency management or planning/preparedness, and experience with grant writing and/or project management. Three professional references By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at 855-524-5627 or email initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.WSDA uses a form I-9 to determine Employment Eligibility and Verification, once hired. This document is the authorization of an individual’s ability to be hired for employment within the United States. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.Equity at WSDAThe Department of Agriculture recognizes, respects, and values diverse cultural identities and backgrounds. We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.Contact UsShould you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment for up to six months.Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference must attach a copy of their DD214 or other verification of military service. For more information, click here.Persons with a disability who need assistance with their application or an alternative format may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-21