ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN

Location: Hawkins County Last Day to Apply: Apr 8 , 2024 Business Unit: Scientists / Foresters Job Family: Agriculture Job Opening ID: 56598 Job Information Opening Date/Time 04/02/2024 12:00AM Central Time Closing Date/Time 04/08/2024 11:59PM Central Time Salary (Monthly) $3,542.
00 Salary (Annually) $42,504.
00 Job Type Full-Time City, State Location Rogersville, TN Department Agriculture State of Tennessee Job Information LOCATION OF (1) POSITION TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL HEALTH PROGRAM DIVISION, HAWKINS COUNTY Qualifications Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in an agricultural or biological science.
OR Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in an agricultural or biological science and two years of qualifying full-time experience in one or a combination of the following: (1) ensuring compliance with governmental animal health eradication programs, (2) conducing diagnostic tests on animals or animal samples, or (3) managing or providing for the care and/or health needs of animals.
OR Graduation from a college or university with a degree in Veterinary Technology accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Necessary Special Qualifications: A valid motor vehicle operator license is required.
Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.
Summary Summary: Under general supervision, performs animal disease detection, prevention, and control activities of average difficulty; and performs related work as required.
Distinguishing Features: An employee in this class reports to and differs from that of Veterinarian Staff in that an incumbent of the latter assists in managing the operations of the Animal health Unit of the Regulatory Services Division.
Responsibilities Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitors processes at regulated entities (e.
g.
, markets, dealers, fairs, premises, facilities) for compliance with laws and regulations.
Monitors disease and environmental conditions by inspecting, investigating, testing and sampling to detect and assess animal health issues.
Handling and Moving Objects: Sets up restraint systems such as portable corrals, chutes and traps for confinement.
Works with hazardous objects and materials such as, scalpels, needles, knives, captive bolt guns, chemicals, and diseased organisms.
Performs sample collections such as surgical extraction of soft tissue, blood collection, and etc.
using fine motor skills.
Physically moves and/or positions animals weighing up to 2000 lbs.
for diagnostic sampling.
Collects, preserves, ships and submits evidence or samples in order to facilitate the development of cases to conclusion.
Performing General Physical Activities: Efficiently and humanely restrains animals by using physical or mechanical means in order to collect diagnostic samples, inspect for diseases and proper identification.
Performs bio-security functions, such as cleaning and disinfection of person, clothing, vehicle and equipment using equipment such as pressure washers, wearing protective clothing, and etc.
Walks over rough terrain to inspect facilities, animals for distances ranging from close proximity to several miles.
Stands for long periods of time while inspecting, sorting, sampling and investigating.
Performs various physical activities in the course of handling animals such as running, bending, reaching, squatting, climbing, lifting, crawling, pulling, pushing, and etc.
Works under adverse conditions such as close quarters, time of day, inclement weather, use of respirator and protective/restrictive clothing and gear weighing approximately 40 lbs.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Ensures regulated entities such as livestock markets, livestock dealers, animal breeders/dealers, and processing facilities comply with State and Federal laws and regulations.
Compares inspection data to State laws and regulations to determine compliance and recommend appropriate action such as administrative penalty, quarantine, suspension, revocation, issuance or continuation of license, and etc.
Scheduling Work Activities: Schedules activities in accordance with agency recommendations including duties that may be required at night and on weekends as needed to meet the needs of the business.
Responds to emergencies and incidents as they occur.
Participates in state animal emergency response team as required.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Determines relevance and credibility of information/allegations obtained during an investigation or inspection.
Assesses risk associated with work activities such as safety of persons or animals, faulty equipment or structures, and etc.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Operates a pick-up truck and/or passenger vehicle to transport animals and/or equipment while towing enclosed and open trailers, chutes, or panel trailer.
Operates specialized mechanized devices such as tractors, skid steers/loaders, and backhoe.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Visually inspects animals for signs of transmissible diseases, proper identification, proof of ownership, and required documentation.
Visually inspects records of animal breeders, dealers and markets.
Inspects physical aspects of premises and facilities for compliance purposes.
Selling or Influencing Others: Applies principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program or designated area of responsibility.
Recommends appropriate actions for animal owners or facilities such as maintenance and repair, testing, isolation, or eradication to advance animal health and welfare.
Encourages participation of animal owners or facilities in relevant animal programs.
Documenting/Recording Information: Obtains affidavits from complainants, respondents, witnesses or others for documentation of administrative and criminal investigations.
Fills out forms such as inspection, quarantine, and stop movement to document inspection/investigation findings or activities and forwards completed forms to appropriate offices for proper retention and/or action.
Completes laboratory submission forms to accompany sample to the lab for testing.
Enters time and labor or expense information electronically to document weekly schedule and work related travel.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Receives complaints from individuals and works to determine solution.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Determines the severity of violation by reviewing current and past inspection information and comparing to regulations and laws.
Recommends the appropriate regulatory action to take based on inspection findings as determined by regulations and laws.
Makes recommendations to establishments to help resolve violations and become compliant.
Investigates potential risks associated with violations or disasters to determine necessary action.
Getting Information: Obtains information such as complaints, events, possible diseases, and compliance issues by fielding telephone calls, monitoring media outlets, and through personal/professional contacts.
Obtains and analyzes information from inspections or investigations.
Controlling Machines and Processes: Operates a variety of electronic equipment such as scanners, copiers, digital cameras, and GPS units.
Operates specialized equipment such as foaming unit, mobilization devices, and etc.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Continuously maintains inspection manual by adding updated information such as memos, trade publications, and technical journals provided by supervisor and/or administration.
Attends area and statewide meetings with supervisors/administration to discuss current trends, new administrative policies, legislation and other relevant topics.
Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of pertinent State and Federal laws and regulations.
Completes technical training such as diagnostic sample collection and submission, investigative, and disease recognition as prescribed by management.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Explains laws, regulations and programs during consultation/inspection/investigation to increase compliance and/or understanding.
Provide public outreach in areas such as animal care and disease and departmental programs to school groups, agriculture groups, humane groups, local authorities and others.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Provides public outreach related to animal health and welfare, State and Federal programs, laws and regulations.
Provides consultation and guidance related to animal health and welfare to government agencies, individuals, and etc.
Exchanges animal health and welfare information with government agencies, local veterinarians and/or animal health and welfare groups.
Communicates with individuals to ensure questions and complaints are directed to the appropriate entity.
Collaborates with other regulatory agencies or authorities during investigations.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Coordinates work and activities with internal and external business partners as required to facilitate timely and accurate task completion.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Performs routine seasonal maintenance on foaming unit.
Performs regular maintenance on trailers.
Coaching and Developing Others: May train other employees in day-to-day activities and specialized skills.
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimates resources required for testing and handling of animals, emergency response operation, and etc.
Estimates amount of time required to perform a given task.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Develops and maintains positive relationships with agriculture and animal sector by interacting in a professional, courteous manner.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with peers and management by fostering cooperation, sharing of ideas and open/honest communication.
Training and Teaching Others: Conducts DART (Disaster Animal Response Team) orientations/meetings as required to educate new DART members on departmental, State, and federal laws and regulations.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Participates in performance evaluation discussions with supervisor to understand performance expectations and method by which set goals are achieved.
Submits work documents to verify work completed.
Communicates with others to inform, schedule and/or conduct joint activities.
Communicates with supervisor to inform of work activities, scheduling plans, and etc.
Interacting With Computers: Creates documents electronically by utilizing Word, Excel, Power Point, and etc.
Enters and processes data electronically.
Conducts internet and other data base searches for information pertaining to investigations and inspections such as licensure information, addresses and locations, regulations of other states, etc.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Organizes weekly workload by determining most efficient work plan based on number of inspection, locations, length of inspection time, establishment's history, and facility types.
Completes appropriate time summary and projected itinerary as required by supervisor.
Maintains assigned area with inspectional frequency as mandated by regulation or as required by office policy.
Prioritizes activities based on risk factors such as complaints, type and hazard.
Performing Administrative Activities: Responds to e-mails, phone calls and correspondence as needed.
Competencies Competencies: Decision Quality Functional/Technical Competency Problem Solving Technical Learning Informing Priority Setting Time Management Perseverance Approachability Ethics and Values Knowledge: Biology Building and Construction Chemistry Customer and Personal Service Food Production Mathematics Mechanical Medicine and Dentistry (Animal) Transportation Skills: Active Learning Active Listening Critical Thinking Mathematics Monitoring Reading Comprehension Science Speaking Writing Coordination Instructing Negotiation Persuasion Service Orientation Social Perceptiveness Complex Problem Solving Equipment Maintenance Equipment Selection Installation Repairing Troubleshooting Judgment and Decision Making Systems Analysis Systems Evaluation Management of Material Resources Time Management Abilities: Category Flexibility Deductive Reasoning Flexibility of Closure Inductive Reasoning Mathematical Reasoning Memorization Number Facility Oral Comprehension Oral Expression Perceptual Speed Problem Sensitivity Selective Attention Spatial Orientation Speed of Closure Time Sharing Visualization Written Comprehension Written Expression Arm-Hand Steadiness Control Precision Finger Dexterity Manual Dexterity Multilimb Coordination Rate Control Reaction Time Response Orientation Speed of Limb Movement Wrist-Finger Speed Dynamic Flexibility Dynamic Strength Explosive Strength Extent Flexibility Gross Body Coordination Gross Body Equilibrium Stamina Static Strength Trunk Strength Auditory Attention Depth Perception Far Vision Glare Sensitivity Hearing Sensitivity Near Vision Night Vision Peripheral Vision Sound Localization Speech Clarity Speech Recognition Visual Color Discrimination Tools & Equipment Personal Computer Telephone Fax Machine Printer