Veterinary Medical Officer

Number of Openings: 2

Agency:
Georgia Department of Agriculture

Job Requisition

Compensation Details:$95,000.00

We at the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) take our responsibilities to you very seriously and are committed to protecting and promoting Georgia's agriculture through superior service and leadership.

Mission:
Protect consumers, promote agriculture, both locally and globally, and assist our customers using education, technology, and a professional workforce.

Vision:
To maintain global recognition as a leader in agricultural excellence by prioritizing safety, quality, growth, and innovation.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture is seeking highly motivated and service-oriented veterinarians to join the Animal Health Division as Veterinary Medical Officers (VMO). The position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of veterinary medicine, emergency response, public health, and livestock production. Veterinary Medical Officers play a critical role in protecting Georgia’s animal agriculture industries through disease surveillance, regulatory medicine, emergency preparedness, and producer outreach.

The selected candidates will receive specialized training in foreign animal disease investigations, emergency response operations, regulatory veterinary medicine, and animal disease traceability programs. This position is ideal for veterinarians who enjoy independent field work, problem solving, collaboration with producers and practitioners, and protecting animal health on a statewide level. Veterinary Medical Officers routinely work with livestock producers, accredited veterinarians, state and federal agencies, diagnostic laboratories, and industry stakeholders to support Georgia’s agricultural economy and animal health infrastructure.

• Conduct investigations involving potential reportable and foreign animal diseases.
• Perform field-based disease surveillance and emergency response activities.
• Obtain, process, and submit diagnostic samples from livestock and other species such as cattle, swine, small ruminants, equine, poultry, etc.
• Implement regulatory actions including quarantines and movement controls when necessary.
• Assist in developing disease control, containment, and eradication plans.
• Case management, including but not limited to initial investigation, documentation, coordinating samples and further investigation, as well as follow-up communication with producers and agency representatives.
• Participate in real-world Agriculture Emergency Responses, as well as emergency preparedness exercises.
• Provide expert guidance on veterinary public and animal health issues, including zoonotic diseases, biosecurity measures, and prevention/control
  strategies.
• Collaborate with state and federal agencies, veterinary professionals, and stakeholders to enhance animal health and welfare.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations related to disease control and food animal production.
• Conduct veterinary accreditation orientations for licensed Georgia veterinarians.
• Prepare and submit quarterly and annual reports, policy recommendations, and supporting documentation to agency officials and public stakeholders.
• Supervise and support field personnel, ensuring adherence to state and federal regulations.
• Support the statewide Animal Disease Traceability program +/- serve as Georgia’s Designated Scrapie Epidemiologist.
• Evaluate state and federal programs, making recommendations for improvements as needed. Assist in developing and implementing statewide animal health policies and programs.
• Deliver educational presentations and outreach programs to veterinarians, producers, and agriculture…