Manager, Animal Health Program

**Job Information**

Job Requisition ID: 64054
Ministry: Agriculture and Irrigation
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: November 21, 2024
Classification: Senior Manager, Zone 1

**Salary**: $3,548.95 to $4,842.27 bi-weekly ($92,627 - $126,383/year)

**About the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation**

**Role Responsibilities**:

- Are you passionate about promoting animal health and supporting Alberta's livestock industry? The Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation is seeking a dedicated and experienced professional to lead its Animal Health Programs Unit. Reporting to the Director of Animal Health, this role is essential for developing, implementing, and continuously improving livestock health programs that contribute to the safety, biosecurity, and economic stability of Alberta’s agricultural sector.

As the Manager, you will lead a team dedicated to advancing biosecurity, supporting disease control efforts, and managing key animal health programs, including Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy surveillance programs like the Canada and Alberta Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program and Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance. This role requires strong leadership skills, program management expertise, and a collaborative approach to working with stakeholders across government, industry, and academic institutions.

The position is also accountable for satisfying auditor expectations for FOIP and financial program delivery to clients for animal health surveillance and relevant Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership programs. The position is responsible for evaluating the Unit’s performance and deliverables and implementing changes to ensure continuous improvement.

**In this role, your primary responsibilities will include**:

- Program Leadership and Development: Direct and oversee the implementation of national and provincial livestock disease surveillance programs, ensuring they align with provincial and federal standards.
- Strategic Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with key partners, including industry stakeholders and academic institutions, to enhance awareness and support for surveillance programs.
- Resource and Budget Management: Administer budgets and financial resources to ensure efficient program delivery within Alberta Government standards.
- Continuous Improvement: Evaluate program outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and drive enhancements to optimize disease control efforts.
- Operational Oversight: Ensure compliance with GOA health and safety regulations, AGI policies, and manage human resources within the Animal Health Programs Unit.

This position also requires you to support the Incident Command infrastructure in the event of an animal health emergency, providing guidance and expertise as part of a rapid response team.

Please**APS Competencies**:
Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
**Competencies Specific to this Role**:

- **Systems Thinking**: You consider the broader impacts of disease control and surveillance programs on Alberta’s livestock sector.
- **Drive for Results**:You are committed to achieving operational and financial standards that meet APS objectives and benefit the agricultural community.
- **Creative Problem Solving**:You approach challenges with innovative solutions, partnering with stakeholders to enhance program outcomes.
- ** Build Collaborative Environments**: You engage with a wide network, leveraging resources to build shared solutions across government and industry.
- ** Develop Self and Others**:You support continuous learning within your team, promoting growth and skill development.

**Qualifications**:
**Minimum Recruitment Standard**:

- **Education**:University graduation in Agriculture or a related field.
- **Experience**:A minimum of eight (8) years of related experience in food animal agriculture, with expertise in program management and animal health.

**_Equivalencies:_**_ May be considered on the basis of additional education or experience._

**Further Requirements for the Role**:

- In-depth understanding of Alberta’s livestock industry and animal health regulations.
- Proven experience in managing programs within a regulatory framework.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with a variety of stakeholders.

**Assets**:A veterinary background, experience with government structures, and knowledge of disease surveillance methods.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to**Notes**:

- Hours of W