State of Connecticut Executive Branch

State Public Health Veterinarian (8109RL)

$79.58-$93.05 Hourly / $6,366.10-$7,443.38 BiWeekly /
$166,155.00-$194,272.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Public Health this class serves as the State's Chief Public Health Veterinarian and is accountable for directing activities for the identification, prevention, and control of zoonotic, vector-borne, and respiratory diseases.

GUIDELINES FOR JOB CLASS USE

The Public Health Veterinarian is focused on public health surveillance, scientific assessments and analyses aimed at informing the public and policy makers of health hazards, especially diseases of zoonotic, vector-borne, and respiratory concern in order to make informed decisions that reduce or eliminate the risk of disease occurrence or transmission.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives direction from the Assistant Director of Infectious Diseases or other official of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Directs Epidemiologists, student interns and other staff of the Epidemiology and Emerging Infections Program and related areas.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Directs the staff and operations of the program which includes zoonotic, vector-borne and respiratory diseases including COVID-19 and influenza; 
  • Develops, implements, communicates and evaluates program policies, procedures, goals and activities; 
  • Coordinates, plans and manages section activities; 
  • Obtains state and federal funds to maintain and implement programs; directs preparation of statistical studies and required federal reports; 
  • Determines appropriate staffing levels;
  • Determines quality assurance, performance standards and assesses staff performance; 
  • Directs, designs, implements and analyzes animal, infectious, and environmental components of communicable disease investigations attributed to zoonotic and other infectious diseases;
  • Directs the design, implementation and evaluation of human health, veterinary and environmental surveillance systems to characterize zoonotic and other communicable diseases;
  • Directs and leads epidemiologic investigations of zoonotic and other communicable disease outbreaks, designing and overseeing surveillance strategies to inform disease outbreak response and provide data from surveillance and outbreak investigations;
  • Conducts training and technical consultation to public health practitioners, including epidemiologists, on principles of zoonotic and other diseases including disease diagnosis and prevention;
  • Presents technical and policy information at local, state, and national conferences and meetings on the identification, investigation, control and prevention of zoonotic and other infectious diseases; 
  • Responds to inquiries and requests from local health jurisdictions, state and federal agencies, private industry, other internal and external stakeholders, the public, and the media on issues pertaining to zoonotic and other diseases; 
  • Reviews and evaluates legislative proposals; 
  • Develops and recommends changes to statutes and regulations;
  • Maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of the section who might impact program activities; 
  • Conducts technical reviews and written assessments of state and national policies and procedures pertaining to zoonotic diseases and develops recommendations; 
  • Provides consultation to human healthcare providers regarding human-animal transmission and zoonotic diseases; 
  • Coordinates and conduct planning for pandemic events, including zoonotic events such as influenza pandemic preparedness, in conjunction with partners; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • principles and practices of veterinary medicine with particular reference to vector-borne and zoonotic diseases; 
    • the epidemiologic analysis of surveillance data to characterize communicable disease etiology, transmission, at risk populations and health outcomes; 
    • the collection, storage handling, submission and analysis of animal and environmental samples for identification of zoonotic diseases;
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; 
    • principles and practices of public health with an emphasis on infectious diseases; 
  • Knowledge of recent developments in veterinary medicine; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
    • skill in development of public health policies and guidance;
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Possession of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree with a license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Connecticut.

AND

Professional veterinary medical experience with progressive experience in public health or veterinary medicine with a focus on One-Health.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice veterinary medicine pursuant to Chapter 384 of the Connecticut General Statutes.  A temporary permit as described in Section 20-200 (b) shall be valid for a period not to exceed one hundred-twenty (120) calendar days and shall not be renewable. 
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to participate in all hazards emergency response, exercises and planning.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable or infectious disease.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Non-Examined

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(21)-Medical, Dental, Veterinary Medicine

BARGAINING UNIT

(11)-HEALTH PROF (P-1)

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

RL 09

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

New Class. Item No. 23-270

EFFECTIVE DATE

02/21/2024
CLASS: 8109RL; EST: 2/21/2024; REV: 2/26/2024;