Veterinary Officer

Role Overview

This role focuses on safeguarding the health and productivity of a commercial poultry operation through daily clinical oversight, preventive medicine, and disease outbreak management. You will work directly with farm teams to monitor flock wellbeing, design vaccination schedules, enforce biosecurity protocols, and ensure regulatory compliance — all while contributing to production targets and animal welfare standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct regular health checks on poultry flocks, identifying early signs of illness or stress and initiating appropriate interventions.
• Diagnose infectious and non-infectious diseases using clinical examination, laboratory tests, and post-mortem analysis.
• Develop, implement, and adjust vaccination programs tailored to flock age, breed, and regional disease pressure.
• Enforce and audit biosecurity measures across all farm entry points, housing, equipment, and personnel movement.
• Oversee the correct administration of medications, including antibiotics and supplements, while maintaining withdrawal periods and records.
• Advise on nutritional strategies to support immune function, growth, and egg production in collaboration with feed specialists.
• Investigate elevated mortality or morbidity events, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions to management.
• Train farm staff in disease recognition, treatment protocols, record‑keeping, and humane handling practices to promote consistent care.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree from an accredited institution.
• Full registration as a Veterinary Surgeon with the relevant national regulatory body and a valid practising license.
• Minimum of three years of clinical veterinary experience, with at least two years specifically in poultry or commercial food‑animal production.
• Demonstrated proficiency in diagnosing common avian diseases (e.g., Newcastle, avian influenza, coccidiosis, salmonellosis) and designing treatment protocols.
• Hands‑on experience with vaccination programmes — including route selection, timing, and cold‑chain management.
• Deep understanding of biosecurity principles, facility disinfection, and isolation procedures in high‑density farming environments.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret laboratory results and production data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for report writing, regulatory liaison, and staff training.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency with farm management software and standard office tools.