Job Description

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Governor's Summer Internship Program (GSI):

The Governor’s Summer Internship Program (GSI) is designed to give college students real-world, hands-on experience in their desired field of study to enhance marketability upon graduation. Participation in the program will offer students a multitude of experiences including networking with state employees, resume building and soft skills workshops, agency head panels, and much more.

About the Board of Animal Health (BOAH):

BOAH operates under the direction of an 11-member board of animal industry professionals to:

• Protect Hoosiers' investment in animal agriculture, wildlife, horses and companion animals.

• Protect public health by preventing and controlling the spread of animal diseases, such as rabies, which pose a threat to people.

• Maintain a vital link in a safe food supply through the state meat and poultry and dairy inspection programs.

• Help people and their animals who are victims of large-scale disasters such as floods and tornadoes.

Role Overview : 

This position will work for the State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) performing work in the planning and implementation of animal disease control, animal care, food safety and emergency preparedness/biosecurity programs. The duties will involve performing animal health related tasks under the supervision of a BOAH veterinarian.

Salary Statement : 

The hourly rate for this position is $16.24 for those that do not hold a bachelor’s degree & $17.24 for those that hold a bachelor’s degree or higher by the time the internship starts.

Under the supervision of a BOAH veterinarian:

• Conducts animal disease tests and evaluations of animals. 
• Collects samples from livestock and other animals and prepares specimens for shipment and laboratory testing. 
• Performs animal care evaluations and develops recommendations for care. 
• Conducts investigations with local and state authorities on suspect cases of animal disease or inadequate care as directed by the State Veterinarian
• Performs various activities associated with planning, preparation, response and recovery for an animal disease event. 

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

Focus will be on:

• Activities related to preparedness in the poultry and swine sectors; and 
• May perform a variety of inspections on animals for diseases and pests to ensure that the animals meet State and Federal animal health standards.
• National & International Disease Outbreak Monitoring
  • Interns will be tasked with identifying and monitoring new and ongoing disease outbreaks occurring outside of Indiana’s borders domestically and internationally that have the potential to affect Indiana’s livestock industry, food supply, public health, or companion animal population. The interns will organize and present timely briefings to appropriate BOAH staff members regarding these outbreaks to include clinical manifestations of the disease, transmission dynamics, control measures being instituted, and the public health and economic consequences of the outbreaks. If the risk to Indiana is deemed high, interns may be asked to complete a deeper literature search and review of state and national response plans in place for the disease.
• Foreign Animal Disease Investigation Procedure Development
• Performs other regulatory activities related to animal health, animal care, food safety, and emergency response/biosecurity.
• Training of Indiana Private Veterinarians on Electronic Animal Movement Documentation Platforms
  • BOAH continues to transition Indiana veterinarians from using paper documents to electronic platforms. Interns will be tasked with identifying Indiana veterinarians that are currently still using paper CVI’s, implementing free electronic applications at their practices, and training the clinic’s veterinarian’s and staff members on using these systems.
• May evaluate animals presented for exhibition at fairs, shows and exhibitions for compliance with State and Federal animal health or exhibition standards.
• Maintains and submits a variety of records and reports on all phases of activities. 
• Maintains the security and up keep of all state and federal equipment used in the accomplishment of daily activities.

Projects :
Database Updates: Each summer, BOAH relies on interns to complete a full update of our veterinarian and veterinary clinic modules housed in our database. There are approximately 2,000 veterinarians in Indiana, the majority of which provide regulatory services on behalf of BOAH and/or the USDA to Indiana citizens including vaccination, testing, and surveillance for reportable and program diseases, application of official livestock identification, and issuance of certificates of veterinary inspection for animal movement and disease traceability. For all Indiana veterinarians, the interns will be responsible for updating license and accreditation status, the veterinarian’s contact information, and the contact information for the practice or organization where they are employed.
Capstone Project: Students will be expected to work on a project throughout the duration of the internship to be completed by the end of the internship. The veterinary student capstone project typically involves applying clinical knowledge and skills to a real-world regulatory veterinary setting. The project may focus on a specific area of interest and could include tasks like case studies, research on animal health issues, or developing plans under the guidance of experienced veterinarians. The project aims to enhance the student’s problem solving, decision-making, and hands-on veterinary skills, preparing them for professional practice.
 

What You'll Need for Success:

The ideal candidate in this role should minimally have:

• Must be currently enrolled as a veterinary student with an accredited post-secondary institution and have completed at least one (1) year of veterinary education.

• General knowledge of the principles and practices of veterinary medicine as acquired through a regular course of study as a first or second year student in an accredited Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.

• Ability to identify selected animal normal and abnormal conditions based upon physical examination as learned through a regular course of study as a first or second year student in an accredited Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. 

• Ability to learn and perform tissue/serum sample collections.

• General knowledge of pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations. 

• General knowledge of animal husbandry and animal industry practices in the state. Ability to secure compliance with laws and regulations firmly, tactfully, and impartially. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates; farmers and livestock operators; local, state and federal government representatives; and the general public.

• Ability to communicate tactfully and firmly with a variety of different people encountered on the job in an effective manner. 

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

This seasonal position does not offer benefits and is limited to 180 working days in an eleven (11) month continuous period.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov .

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