Manager, Animal Health Program

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about promoting animal health and supporting Alberta's livestock industry? The Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation is seeking a dedicated and experienced professional to lead its Animal Health Programs Unit. Reporting to the Director of Animal Health, this role is essential for developing, implementing, and continuously improving livestock health programs that contribute to the safety, biosecurity, and economic stability of Alberta’s agricultural sector.

As the Manager, you will lead a team dedicated to advancing biosecurity, supporting disease control efforts, and managing key animal health programs, including Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy surveillance programs like the Canada and Alberta Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program and Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance. This role requires strong leadership skills, program management expertise, and a collaborative approach to working with stakeholders across government, industry, and academic institutions.

The position is also accountable for satisfying auditor expectations for FOIP and financial program delivery to clients for animal health surveillance and relevant Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership programs. The position is responsible for evaluating the Unit’s performance and deliverables and implementing changes to ensure continuous improvement.

In this role, your primary responsibilities will include:
•    Program Leadership and Development: Direct and oversee the implementation of national and provincial livestock disease surveillance programs, ensuring they align with provincial and federal standards.
•    Strategic Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with key partners, including industry stakeholders and academic institutions, to enhance awareness and support for surveillance programs.
•    Resource and Budget Management: Administer budgets and financial resources to ensure efficient program delivery within Alberta Government standards.
•    Continuous Improvement: Evaluate program outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and drive enhancements to optimize disease control efforts.
•    Operational Oversight: Ensure compliance with GOA health and safety regulations, AGI policies, and manage human resources within the Animal Health Programs Unit.

Role Responsibilites (cont'd)

This position also manages the Edmonton postmortem room staff (5 positions) and manages the facilities discussed below:

1.  Livestock Pathology and Toxicology Diagnostic Service: 
•    Manage and administer pathology and toxicology diagnostic service of AFRED to support the disease.

2.  Surveillance, disease investigation programs and meat inspection program of provincial processing plants:
•    Support disease investigation and response activities of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian related to Animal Health Act.
•    Maintain PM room facility and associated equipment necessary to operate a post-mortem facility in a biosecure environment.

3.  Biosecure environment:
•    Manage staff associated with delivery of this diagnostic service; veterinary pathologist, toxicologist.

4.  Veterinary technologists and administrative staff:
•    Manage and supervise procurement of supplies to maintain the services and be familiar with supplies.

5.  Procurement processes in 1GX:
•    Generate regular reports of activities carried out in the Edmonton post-mortem facility.
•    Support provision of diagnostic services to Environment and Parks and other GOA department where necessary.

This position also requires you to support the Incident Command infrastructure in the event of an animal health emergency, providing guidance and expertise as part of a rapid response team.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Competencies Specific to this Role:

•    Systems Thinking: You consider the broader impacts of disease control and surveillance programs on Alberta’s livestock sector.
•    Drive for Results: You are committed to achieving operational and financial standards that meet APS objectives and benefit the agricultural community.
•    Creative Problem Solving: You approach challenges with innovative solutions, partnering with stakeholders to enhance program outcomes.
•    Build Collaborative Environments: You engage with a wide network, leveraging resources to build shared solutions across government and industry.
•    Develop Self and Others: You support continuous learning within your team, promoting growth and skill development.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standard:

•    Education: University graduation in Agriculture or a related field.
•    Experience: A minimum of eight (8) years of related experience in food animal agriculture, with expertise in program management and animal health.

Equivalencies: May be considered on the basis of additional education or experience.

Further Requirements for the Role:
•    In-depth understanding of Alberta’s livestock industry and animal health regulations.
•    Proven experience in managing programs within a regulatory framework.
•    Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with a variety of stakeholders.

Assets: A veterinary background, experience with government structures, and knowledge of disease surveillance methods.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

•    Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week, with occasional overtime as needed for emergency response.
•    Conditions of Employment: Candidates may be required to undergo a background check.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

What we offer:
•    Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
•    Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
•    Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.