Surveillance Veterinarian

Role Responsibilities

Join a dynamic team dedicated to protecting Alberta’s animal and public health. In this high-impact role, you will lead critical disease investigations, shape provincial surveillance efforts, and collaborate with key partners across government, industry, and health sectors. This position offers a unique opportunity to apply advanced veterinary expertise to real-world challenges and play a pivotal role in safeguarding both animal populations and the public from emerging health risks.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead investigations and response activities for reportable animal diseases, ensuring compliance with the Animal Health Act and established protocols. 
• Develop, implement, and maintain provincial disease response plans, participating in emergency response as both a technical specialist and incident command member. 
• Support and coordinate provincial animal health programs (e.g., rabies), collaborating with government, health agencies, and industry stakeholders. 
• Lead and maintain scientifically rigorous livestock and poultry health surveillance programs to identify, monitor, and report on animal health issues and emerging risks. 
• Collect, analyze, and interpret surveillance data to detect serious animal health and zoonotic disease concerns. 
• Represent Alberta on regional and national committees related to animal health surveillance, disease preparedness, and response coordination. 
• Communicate surveillance findings and technical information to stakeholders, including government, industry, veterinarians, researchers, and the public. 
• Prepare and deliver clear verbal and written reports on livestock and poultry health and food safety surveillance to producers, leadership, and peers, supporting reliable information sharing for industry and public awareness in Alberta. 
• Coordinate laboratory and post-mortem operations, directing technical staff in sample collection and processing. 
• Provide expert consultation and services, including responding to public and veterinary inquiries, after-hours coverage, preparing briefing materials, and certifying animal health for industry activities (e.g., export, product sales).

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.

Systems Thinking - Integrates broader context into planning:

• Plans for how current situation is affected by broader trends.
• Integrates issues, political environment and risks when considering possible actions.
• Supports organization vision and goals through strategy.
• Addresses that challenge progress.

Creative Problem Solving - Creates the environment for innovative problem solving:

• Generates new ways of thinking; ensures right questions are being asked about a problem.
• Eliminates barriers to creativity and innovation.
• Encourages a culture of innovation.

Develop Networks - Leverages relationships to build input and perspective:

• Looks broadly to engage stakeholders.
• Open to perspectives towards long-term goals.
• Actively seeks input into change initiatives.
• Maintains stakeholder relationships.

Agility - Proactively incorporates change into processes:

• Creates opportunities for improvement.
• Is aware of and adapts to changing priorities.
• Remains objective under pressure and supports others to manage their emotions.
• Proactively explains impact of change on roles, and integrates change in existing work.
• Readily adapts plans and practices.

Build Collaborative Environments - Involves a wide group of stakeholders when working on outcomes:

• Involves stakeholders and shares resources.
• Positively resolves conflict through coaching and facilitated discussion.
• Uses enthusiasm to motivate and guide others.
• Acknowledges and works with diverse perspectives for achieving outcomes.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirement for this Role:

• University graduation with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), plus five (5) years experience in livestock veterinary practice and/or public veterinary practice, demonstrating expertise in livestock health. 

Equivalency: 

• Master or PhD level training may be considered in lieu of experience on a one-for-one basis. 

 Additional Requirements:

• Eligibility for licensure with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
• A valid Class 5 Driver’s License. 

Assets:

• Field-based experience with livestock (i.e. cattle and poultry).   
• Advanced knowledge of animal health, zoonotic disease and food safety issues. 
• Knowledge of livestock and poultry industry in Alberta.
• Advanced knowledge of animal health surveillance.

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

Position Information:

• Edmonton (O.S. Longman building, 6909 - 116 Street, Edmonton, AB T6H 4P2).
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (permanent full-time).
• Monday to Friday (08:15 am-16:30 pm).
• Evening and weekend work is sometimes required.
• As part of Disease investigations on farms, this position requires travel to rural Alberta towns and regional offices (Lethbridge, Airdrie and Fairview) and may entail overnight stays away from home base. 

Additional Applicant Information:

• Final candidates may be required to undergo a written assignment demonstrating writing skills and abilities pre or post interviews.
• This position will require final candidates to undergo a security clearance.
• 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.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.