Assistant State Veterinarian - Animal Health Bureau Chief

Education & Experience (Minimum Qualifications):

Required:
• Graduate of an approved college of veterinary medicine.
• licensed or in process of licensure to practice veterinary medicine in Montana.
• Deputized or in process of becoming deputized by the Montana Department of Livestock and accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture.
• Experience in large animal/food animal medicine and/or associated field experience.
• Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Preferred:
• Prior experience in Regulatory Medicine.
• Supervisory or Managment Experience.
• Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician.

Condition of Employment:
• Candidates must be able to obtain licensure to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Montana within 6 months of hire.

To be considered for Department of Livestock positions, applicants must apply and submit any required application materials through the State of Montana Careers Website at Statecareers.mt.gov.

This position is posted as 'Open Until Filled' with a first review of Application on July 16, 2025.

Materials Required of Applicants: Please submit the following documents through the State of Montana Careers website:

1) Resume.

2) Cover Letter: please attach a cover letter explaining your interest in this position. Please tell us, what makes you the best candidate for this position. Please include specific details of relevant experiences and attempt to limit your cover letter to 1 page.

3) References: References will be requested from finalist applicants prior to being made an offer of employment and are not required at this portion of the recruitment process.
• Helpful Tip: When submitting the required documents, you must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position.

Reasons to work for the Montana Department of Livestock: Our work matters! We are proud of the work we do, to find out more about the Department of Livestock visit our website HERE.

Benefits of working for the Department of Livestock: The ability to work and play in the beautiful state of Montana is one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity! Other fantastic benefits include:
• Health Coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave and Holidays
• Work/life balance
• Flexible schedules
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness- click HERE to learn more!

About this Opportunity!

The Montana Department of Livestock is looking for an Assistant State Veterinarian/ Animal Health Bureau Chief to help us achieve our mission of protecting the livestock industry in Montana.

Position Overview:

The Animal Health Bureau is responsible for the prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases. This involves safeguarding the health and food production capacity of the State's livestock and poultry and preventing the transmission of animal diseases to man. To learn more about the Department of Livestock, please check out our website at LIV.MT.gov.

The Assistant State Veterinarian is responsible for animal disease control, and protection of the livestock industry through implementation and enforcement of state and federal laws and regulations, and for administering the Animal Health Bureau, including budget development and oversight. Programs administered include the Import/Export Section, Disease Control, Alternative Livestock, and Field Operations. Administration involves establishing bureau priorities and goals, and developing and implementing laws, rules, and animal health programs. Oversight of disease control involves the enforcement of laws and rules for the protection of livestock, alternative livestock, companion animals, poultry, and public health. The position will prevent, control, and eradicate contagious and infectious diseases in animals. These activities involve analysis and consideration of livestock industry impacts and concerns, participation in national eradication programs, forestalling the importation of such diseases from outside the state, and identifying and coordinating activities for new and emerging diseases.

The Assistant State Veterinarian will play a critical role in providing leadership guidance, and support to their team. This position is expected to lead by example in order to cultivate a culture of collaboration, respect, and professionalism all of which will enhance team morale, and provide quality services to the people of the State of Montana.

The position reports to the State Veterinarian. Guidance is provided by the State Veterinarian or the Executive Officer on administrative matters. The position is responsible for management of 10 employees in the Animal Health Bureau and acts as the interim State Veterinarian in his/her absence. The position is also responsible for oversight of 800+ Deputy State Veterinarians throughout the state.

The Principal Duties and Responsibilities of the Assistant State Veterinarian are: (Essential Functions):

Bureau Oversight/Administration
• Directs the daily operation of the Animal Health Bureau performing administrative, supervisory, technical and professional duties relative to operations and functions of the Department and Animal Health Bureau.

Animal Health Program Management
• Execute the mission of the Animal Health Bureau regarding the prevention, control, and eradication of contagious and infectious diseases, and the regulation of alternative livestock programs within the state.
• Responsible for implementing and evaluating the achievement of goals, objectives, and work plans; recognizes organizational and operational problems and apply analysis and judgment in arriving at solutions; and interpret and apply laws and regulations consistently and straightforwardly.

Disease Control
• Oversight of and participation in division programs directed toward the prevention, control, and eradication of contagious and infectious diseases, and the regulation of alternative livestock programs within the state, which requires the ability to speak and write clearly and to establish effective working relationships with a wide range of individuals.

Administrative Rule Oversight
• Development and revision of rules and policy for animal health and alternative livestock programs. Administer and support animal health legislation, rules and policy.

Assistant Division Administrator
• In the absence of the State Veterinarian, the Assistant State Veterinarian has direct overall responsibility of the Animal Health and Food Safety Division, performing administrative, supervisory, financial, technical and professional duties relative to functions of the Department and the Division. Responsibilities also include oversight of the Meat, Milk and Egg Bureau, and the Diagnostic Laboratory.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:
• The incumbent works with potentially dangerous, wild and domestic animals under various conditions and circumstances and may be exposed to zoonotic disease agents.
• Weekend or extended work may be required in the event of a disease outbreak, but is not routine.

Required Skills & Behaviors:
• Those skills and behaviors expected of a veterinarian licensed, deputized, and federally accredited in Montana.
• Those skills and behaviors expected when working with livestock and other large mammals to ensure both human and animal safety.
• A special aptitude for preventative interventions, and population medicine.
• Skills in epidemiology and disease investigations are needed.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to supervise employees including balancing workload and performance management.
• Veterinary licensure, or eligibility for licensure in the state of Montana

Additional Preferred Skills & Behaviors: Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician.

Note: this position will perform duties from the Helena, Montana office. This position may qualify for telework in accordance with the State of Montana Telework Policy. Telework would only be available after an established training period in coordination with the State Veterinarian.

The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.

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