Animal Industry Board State Veterinarian

The South Dakota State Government

Job Location:

Pierre, SD - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 30+ days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 33247
Agency: Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources - Animal Industry Board
Location: Pierre SD
Salary: Depending on Experience
Pay Grade: MH
Closing Date: 10/15/2025

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For more information on the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources please visit .

The South Dakota Animal Industry Board seeks to fill the position of State Veterinarian and Executive Secretary . The role of the State Veterinarian is to plan develop and direct statewide animal health and meat inspection programs to protect animal industries and public health. For more information on the SD Animal industry Board please visit .

Please note we are tentatively planning for in-person interviews in Pierre on October 21.

Responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:

direct staff and industries in the development implementation and evaluation of programs for disease surveillance control and eradication to ensure physical and economical well-being of animal industries in the state;
negotiate and establish programs with other state and national governments and with industry organizations to ensure marketability and stability of the states animal and animal-related products for consumption and export;
plan develop and administer marketing and dealing requirements for animals meat and other animal products;
propose laws and regulations such as licensing laws that ensure stability financial responsibility and record keeping for auctions commission firms dealers packers and retailers and safeguard their economic well-being;
inform animal industries and public health officials of current health issues and potential threats to public health and coordinates programs to respond to threats of disease from humans and animals;
inform animal industries of trends impending issues and concerns; recommend production strategies to address such concerns such as food safety verification programs and voluntary animal health certification programs to expand and sustain marketing opportunities;
plan direct and administer the state meat inspection program to protect food safety and public health:

develop the states program to coordinate with USDAs Food Safety Inspection Service program and ensure the program is maintained equal to or higher than federal standards;
provide input to USDA on the status and needs of the states program;
develop implement and administer laws rules staffing laboratory services record keeping training and specialty programs to ensure the intent and purpose of the State Meat Inspection program are met;
provide technical assistance to other state agencies animal production industries and food processing and distribution industries to ensure the program provides for a safe wholesome and unadulterated food supply;

plan direct and administer activities of the South Dakota Veterinary Medical Examining Board to ensure licensees meet the requirements to practice veterinary medicine;
perform administrative functions to ensure the goals and objectives of the Animal Industry Board are implemented;

oversee and authorize fiscal activities;
supervise;
set program standards and develop scientific and medical protocols;
develop and administer laws and regulations.

Licenses and Certifications:
Applicant must have a valid drivers license for statewide travel and a license to practice veterinary medicine in South Dakota or ability to become licensed within 30 days.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

identify and define problems or potential problems and determine resolutions;
delegate assignments to most appropriate subordinates;
develop new programs or change existing ones to meet changing trends and needs;
analyze information and draw sound and reasonable conclusions.
interpret federal and state laws;
ability to travel.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

veterinary medicine;
federal and state laws governing animal health public health food safety and the practice of veterinary medicine;
animal diseases their causes and controls;
animal vectors their relations to various diseases and their control;
applicable medical and scientific protocols;
principles of effective human relations and dealing with the public;
fair labor standards and practices;
fair hiring procedures and interview practices;
principles and practices of public administration.

Additional Requirements: To be considered please attach your cover letter and Resume/CV.

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.

This position is eligible for Veterans Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays generous vacation and sick leave accrual dental vision and other insurance options and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online:
You must apply online emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email:

An Equal Opportunity Employer

#LI-Onsite

direct staff and industries in the development implementation and evaluation of programs for disease surveillance control and eradication to ensure physical and economical well-being of animal industries in the state;
negotiate and establish programs with other state and national governments and with industry organizations to ensure marketability and stability of the states animal and animal-related products for consumption and export;
plan develop and administer marketing and dealing requirements for animals meat and other animal products;
propose laws and regulations such as licensing laws that ensure stability financial responsibility and record keeping for auctions commission firms dealers packers and retailers and safeguard their economic well-being;
inform animal industries and public health officials of current health issues and potential threats to public health and coordinates programs to respond to threats of disease from humans and animals;
inform animal industries of trends impending issues and concerns; recommend production strategies to address such concerns such as food safety verification programs and voluntary animal health certification programs to expand and sustain marketing opportunities;
plan direct and administer the state meat inspection program to protect food safety and public health:

develop the states program to coordinate with USDAs Food Safety Inspection Service program and ensure the program is maintained equal to or higher than federal standards;
provide input to USDA on the status and needs of the states program;
develop implement and administer laws rules staffing laboratory services record keeping training and specialty programs to ensure the intent and purpose of the State Meat Inspection program are met;
provide technical assistance to other state agencies animal production industries and food processing and distribution industries to ensure the program provides for a safe wholesome and unadulterated food supply;

plan direct and administer activities of the South Dakota Veterinary Medical Examining Board to ensure licensees meet the requirements to practice veterinary medicine;
perform administrative functions to ensure the goals and objectives of the Animal Industry Board are implemented;

oversee and authorize fiscal activities;
supervise;
set program standards and develop scientific and medical protocols;
develop and administer laws and regulations.

identify and define problems or potential problems and determine resolutions;
delegate assignments to most appropriate subordinates;
develop new programs or change existing ones to meet changing trends and needs;
analyze information and draw sound and reasonable conclusions.
interpret federal and state laws;
ability to travel.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

veterinary medicine;
federal and state laws governing animal health public health food safety and the practice of veterinary medicine;
animal diseases their causes and controls;
animal vectors their relations to various diseases and their control;
applicable medical and scientific protocols;
principles of effective human relations and dealing with the public;
fair labor standards and practices;
fair hiring procedures and interview practices;
principles and practices of public administration.