Position Announcement: Swine Veterinarian

December 29, 2015 — Iowa Select Farms

Iowa Select Farms is looking to expand their team in Iowa Falls, Iowa with the addition of a staff veterinarian. In this role, the selected candidate will increase throughput at ISF production sites through effective herd health monitoring, the development and implementation of herd health protocols, and swine caretaker training. Collect, process, and disseminate herd health information in a timely and effective manner. Assist in the further development, implementation, and dissemination of the Select Care tenants.

Key Responsibilities

• Adhere to ISF animal wellbeing policy at all times and partnering with Production Well-being team when incident occurs.

• Adhere to ISF bio-security policy at all times and fixing violation if issue is brought to light.

• Adhere to ISF safety policies and procedures and wear appropriate safety equipment (PPE) for appropriate tasks and work in a safe manner.

• Monitor overall herd health using science-based processes and procedures.

• Conduct routine herd visits in a timely manner and communicate the findings of those visits through the Vet Visit Reports

• Conduct post-mortem examinations.

• Collect tissue samples, blood samples, oral fluid samples, etc. for diagnostic evaluation.

• Maintain current PQA+ Advisor Certification

• Train swine caretakers to identify herd health issues and how to properly communicate concerns to the production management team.

• Monitor overall vaccine and medication use, assess techniques, and evaluate the results of various products.

• Train swine caretakers and vaccination crews on the appropriate storage, preparation, mixing and dilution techniques for oral and injectable vaccines.

• Train swine caretakers on the appropriate storage, preparation, mixing and dilution techniques for oral and injectable medications

• Reinforce and implement biosecurity protocols.

• Assess biosecurity procedures during site visits.

• Train swine caretakers on proper biosecurity techniques and acceptable protocols.

• Train swine caretakers on proper euthanasia techniques and acceptable methods.

• Evaluate overall ventilation system management in relationship to overall herd health and well-being.

• Evaluate overall feed and water system management in relationship to overall herd health and well-being.

• Conduct one-on-one training with farm personnel and swine caretakers to develop techniques that will positively impact production.

• Utilize production records to assess the effectiveness of the herd health programs.

• Incorporate all of the responsibilities listed above to administer health programs that are effective at the individual animal level, the farm level, and the overall herd level within the Health Services and Production Management Team.

• Demeanor should be positive and professional at all times.

• Daily focus should be on welfare of animals, not personal issues.

• Attendance is critical. Be at work on scheduled days and be ready to work by start time given.

• Be friendly, positive, helpful, team-oriented and respectful to co-workers and management team.

• Flexibility in hours during health and staffing challenges is required.

• Collaborate with other departments within the company.

Educational Requirements

A DVM degree with an emphasis in swine production, along with experience in the swine field, is required for this position.

Minimum Qualifications

This person must be a self-starter and be able to schedule tasks as well as train and empower people. Thus, they must have initiative, organization, and dependability. Physical requirements include the ability to lift up to 40 pounds and climb over gates up to 48 inches in height as well as pushing, pulling, bending and kneeling. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk and stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, controls, or animals. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear.

This position requires the veterinarian to work closely with managers, production staff and other employees, so teamwork and effective communication skills are very important. Direct contact with animals will occur, so good stockmanship, animal welfare standards and biosecurity practices must be understood and practiced at all times. Minimal overnight travel may be required to effectively evaluate herd health and production practices. Computer literacy is important with competencies in Excel, Word, and Internet Explorer. The employee must be able to, with or without accommodation, work in all facilities within the requirements of this job description.

Application Instructions

For more information or to apply, please contact:

Allyson Ladd
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Phone: 641-316-3251
Email: aladd@iowaselect.com