DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

Address:  Animal Services Division / State Veterinarian Office
400 W. Congress, #124 - Tucson Arizona

Salary: $93,600.00 - $104,000.00 

Grade: 27

Closing Date: October 15, 2025

The Arizona Department of Agriculture (ADA) is currently recruiting for a full-time Assistant State Veterinarian; this position will report to the Arizona State Veterinarian in the Animal Services Division (ASD). This position will be responsible for Southern Arizona area.

The Office of the State Veterinarian protects the livestock, poultry, and aquaculture industries directly, and the public indirectly, through the prevention, early detection, containment, and eradication of economically important livestock, poultry, and fish diseases. In addition, welfare of livestock is ensured by assisting the Livestock Inspection Program in the investigation and prosecution of cases of cruelty to animals. This Office watches over four areas: regulation of the importation of animals, control and eradication of livestock diseases, regulation of fish farming, transportation and processing and emergency response for both natural and manmade disasters affecting livestock.

The Arizona Department of Agriculture has a major role in protecting both Arizona citizens and the health and welfare of the state’s livestock industry. This position will enhance the capabilities of the Animal Health and Welfare Program through animal disease surveillance and response and support animal disease traceability grant programs. Developing knowledge and understanding of the Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS) and participation in training and Emergency Support Function-11 (ESF-11) response related to the Palo Verde Generating Station (PVGS) and animal disease or natural disasters affecting livestock as a part of an Incident Management Team (IMT) is expected.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Major duties to include but not limited to:

• Implement surveillance programs for avian and livestock diseases in order to better prepare and respond to livestock emergencies by reviewing, revising, formulating, affecting, managing and implementing policies and procedures related to foreign animal diseases (FAD).
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment to determine training needs, design training materials and educational outreach to private veterinarians, tribal veterinarians and all other external or internal partners or other allied industry professionals. Training will include proper sample collection, preparation and preservation of chain of custody.
• Maintain confidentiality of risk assessments of agroterrorism threats and confidentiality of all records and financial data reviewed during investigation assessments.
• Established regulations for the traceability of livestock in order to provide the necessary environment in which state animal health officials can guide the development of a modern animal movement and disease surveillance system. This will include the tagging system, distributing traceability literature, training field staff, and collecting/maintaining data.
• Supervision and evaluations of subordinate staff members.
• Position will also explore, negotiate and prepare cooperative agreements or grant opportunities with outside agencies (e.g. USDA) to continue position objectives. Financial and budgetary management of grants will be required.

Knowledge of:
• Federal & state laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and practices and USDA regulations
• Zoonotic & Foreign Animal Disease (ZFAD)
• Animal Disease Traceability
• Cooperative Agreements
• Investigative techniques
• Computer and communication technology
• Supervisory Principals

Skills in:
• Written/verbal communication
• Grant writing/seek continued funding sources
• Creating training materials/provide effective training
• Financial/Budgetary management
• Drive truck/trailer
• Livestock and poultry handling
• Managing employees

Ability to:
• Think analytically and solve problems
• Communicate with various external and internal customers
• Outreach to partners and stakeholders
• Create materials for public distribution and consumption
• Strong organizational abilities – plan, organize, direct resources and accomplish outreach and training
• Manage volunteers

USDA FADD certification
USDA Category II Veterinary Accreditation
Fluent in Spanish

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DMV) Degree or foreign equivalent degree from an AVMA accredited university or a foreign equivalent degree with recognition by either the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) or Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG)

Valid Arizona Drivers’ License

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Agriculture offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Mandatory condition of Employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in statue. Current contribution rate is 12.00%. Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Melissa Meek at mmeek@azda.gov for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.