Veterinary Investigation Officer (Part time)

About the team:

SRUC is unique in Scotland and one of the largest organisations of its kind in Europe. Our ambitious and exciting vision is to work at local, national and international levels, leading innovation and sustainable development in agriculture and rural sectors.

Veterinary Investigation Officers are members of the teams at the Disease Investigation Hubs. SRUC operates a network of six Disease Surveillance Hubs strategically sited at Perth and St Boswells in the Centre and South East, Ayr and Dumfries in the South West, Inverness and Aberdeen in the North.

About the opportunity:

Working under the direction of the local Veterinary Centre Manager in conjunction with colleagues in this role you will:

• Provide an effective, reliable, and efficient farm animal diagnostic and consultancy service to veterinary surgeons in practice and farmers in the area. Key components of this work include the detailed investigation of farm animal disease outbreaks through post-mortem examination, laboratory diagnostic tests and farm disease investigations.
• Maintain a close working relationship with local veterinarians and farmers to facilitate data collection to inform the trends, distribution, and nature of livestock diseases in the area covered by the Dumfries Hub. Through this work contributing to the local and national disease surveillance functions of SRUC.
• Investigate in detail unusual outbreaks of farm animal disease in collaboration with veterinary colleagues within SRUC and other specialist institutions.
• Contribute to the education of undergraduates within the School of Veterinary Medicine so ensuring they have developed the skills and understanding related to the importance of disease surveillance and herd health management when they move into their graduate roles.
• Contribute as required to SRUC farmer education and awareness campaigns to promote animal welfare.
• Assist with the Animal Health & Welfare Management Programme by providing support to local vets and farmers.
• Contribute to commercial consultancy activities, notably by playing an active role in the Premium Cattle Health Scheme (PCHS) for clients nationwide and especially in SW Scotland and NW England.
• Participate in disease eradication and control programme being directed by APHA Service by providing appropriate supporting laboratory services as and when required by the Scottish Government.
• Contribute to the advisory, development and research effort of other departments within SRUC. The VIO should liaise with colleagues within the SRUC advisory service (particularly the specialist dairy, beef and sheep agricultural advisors, nutritionists and building advisors) to support a farm animal health advisory service in the local area.
• Carry out any other duties delegated by the SVM Senior Management Team and veterinary managers of the hubs.
• Work for periods at other SRUC Veterinary Services sites as necessary and as directed by the manager of SRUC.

Minimum Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience in progressive farm animal practice and will preferably have undertaken post graduate study to certificate, masters or diploma level in a given species (cattle, sheep or pigs) or in a related subject e.g. pathology. Candidates must have an interest in developing veterinary education to ensure sustainability of veterinary support to the rural environment and be a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. They will be encouraged to work towards further qualifications whether species or veterinary education based. Teamwork is essential as is a current UK driving license.

Further details on the requirements of this role can be found in the Job Particulars document which you must read before applying for this role.

Why work for SRUC?

• Enhanced holidays
• Enhanced pension contributions (5% employee and 10% employer)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted RAC Membership
• Enhanced family leave
• Flexible working patterns
• Hybrid working solutions (in some areas)
• Tailored investment in and individuals' learning and development

Interviews

Please note that it is our intention to conduct interviews for this role in Dumfries on the 18th December 2024.

SRUC Leading the way in Agricultural and Rural Research, Education & Consultancy.

SRUC is committed to valuing Diversity, advancing Equality and respecting Human Rights throughout the organisation and encouraging applications from disabled people using the “Disability Confident Employer” symbol. SRUC is a member of the Athena SWAN charter.

SRUC. A Charitable company limited by guarantee, SC003712. Registered in Scotland No SC103046

ADZN1_UKTJ