Staff Veterinarian- Helena
- Montana
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Health, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, flexible spending accounts, EAP - click
- A combination of 38 paid days off a year; including vacation, sick leave and holidays.
- Military leave: You’ll get up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
- Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics through our medical plan - click
to learn more. * Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness- click
to learn more! * Career progression, training opportunities and room for professional growth.State employee discounts at various businesses across the state.*This position may be eligible for a statutory $1.00 an hour base pay increase effective on July 1, 2026.About this Opportunity!THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK has many long-term employees who are passionate about protecting and serving the livestock industry in Montana. The Department is currently recruiting for a Veterinarian who shares our values to join our team in the Animal Health Bureau.Bureau Description:The Animal Health Bureau is responsible for the prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases. This involves safeguarding the health and food production capacity of the State's livestock and poultry and preventing the transmission of animal diseases to man. The prevention and control of domestic animal diseases are achieved through four major areas of activity: Import/Export, Disease Control, Alternative Livestock, and Field Operations.Job Overview:The Staff Veterinarian plays a key role in assisting with Bureau programs directed toward the prevention, control, and eradication of contagious and infectious diseases, and the regulation of alternative livestock programs within the state. Responsibilities include animal disease control through the implementation and enforcement of state and federal laws and regulations. This position is responsible for participation in state and federal eradication programs, preventing the importation of disease, identifying and coordinating activities for new and emerging diseases, and analysis and consideration of the impact of regulatory action on industry,. This position will research environmental and public health, trends, rules, and regulations; assist in meeting departmental objectives and goals; and work with law enforcement; laboratory diagnostic services; epidemiology; and public relations. Programs this position will work in include emergency preparedness; the state brucellosis program; zoonotic disease; avian influenza; cattle, equine, cervid, and small ruminant disease programs, import/export, and other state disease programs as needed.Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:Veterinarians with the Department will work in an office environment as well as perform tasks in the field such as ranches, livestock markets and other remote locations. This position may work with potentially dangerous, wild and domestic animals under various conditions and circumstances and may be exposed to zoonotic disease agents. State-wide travel (extending beyond business hours of M-F 8 to 5) to perform field work is required at times to support agency operations. Weekend or extended over-nights may be required based on workload but is not routine.Required Skills, Abilities & Behaviors: * This work requires skills and behaviors expected of a veterinarian licensed, deputized and federally accredited in Montana.
- Thorough knowledge of the concepts and practices of veterinary medicine, livestock and the livestock industry, and federal and state animal health disease control and eradication programs and policies.
- The work also requires knowledge of and/or the ability to learn the legislative and administrative rule process; government animal and human health programs (USDA, APHIS, VS, etc.).
- Experience working around large animals in various environments; such as in cattle markets, working around heavy equipment.
- A special aptitude for preventative, medical-legal practice is essential.
- Skills in special disease investigations are needed.
- High aptitude for creating technical documents
- Strong verbal communication skills including ability to create rapport and ability to communicate with a varied audience.
- Graduate of an approved college of veterinary medicine.
- licensed or in process of licensure to practice veterinary medicine in Montana.
- Deputized or in process of becoming deputized by the Montana Department of Livestock and accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture.
- Experience in large animal/food animal medicine and/or associated field experience.
- Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Prior experience in Regulatory Medicine.
- Supervisory or Managment Experience.
- Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician.
- Candidates must be able to obtain licensure to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Montana within 6 months of hire.