FRANKFORT – The Kentucky State Board of Agriculture has begun the search for a new deputy state veterinarian following the resignation of Dr. Bradley Keough, who will leave in March to take a position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“Farmers and other agriculture-related representatives that make up the State Board of Agriculture have the authority to hire both the state veterinarian and deputy state veterinarian at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture,” Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “The State Board of Agriculture and the KDA look forward to casting a broad net to fill this critical animal health position.”

The board’s Search Committee held its first meeting on Jan. 15 in Hardin County to begin looking for Keough’s replacement.

The deputy state veterinarian is primarily responsible for performing duties in agricultural inspection programs to prevent, control, and eradicate communicable diseases. Salary ranges from $75,000 to $90,000 per year, depending on experience.

The deadline to apply is March 1 or until the position is filled. Applicants must currently be licensed with the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Medicine and have least three years of experience practicing veterinary medicine, a USDA-APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) Category II accreditation, and a valid driver’s license.

Preference may be given to those with regulatory experience in the areas of animal health disease control and eradication programs, epidemiology, emergency management/response, foreign animal disease investigations and animal welfare regulations.

Specific duties of the deputy state veterinarian include:

• assisting the state veterinarian and assuming that role in his/her absence;

• attending State Board of Agriculture meetings and presenting reports as required or requested;

• advising the Kentucky agriculture commissioner as requested;

• supervising investigators assigned to the Enforcement Branch of the KDA’s Office of the State Veterinarian;

• leading special projects;

• participating in regional and national organizations for state animal health officials;

• developing and overseeing disease control programs;

• managing epidemiological investigations and responses;

• creating and implementing emergency management procedures and responses;

• monitoring livestock movement to ensure Animal Disease Traceability compliance;

• developing educational materials for presentations at stakeholder education meetings;

• presenting information to stakeholders regarding disease control and prevention;

• designing and monitoring USDA cooperative agreements;

• submitting disease surveillance reports to the USDA.

Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter and three references to:

Dr. Robert Stout, state veterinarian

Office of State Veterinarian

109 Corporate Drive

Frankfort, KY 40601