Position Announcement: Director of Science and Technology

January 5, 2021 — National Pork Producers Council

The Director of Science and Technology is responsible for the development and implementation of food safety programs related to potential parasitic, microbial or chemical hazards, understanding and responding to relevant pre- and post-harvest food safety and human nutrition issues, and addressing issues of animal handling in market channels. This is a technical position and not a registered lobbyist position. The Director of Science and Technology will report to the NPPC Chief Veterinarian.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, research, and analyze issues related to pre- and post-harvest food safety, animal handling, and human nutrition issues. Reviews all proposed legislative and regulatory actions affecting these issues and prepares comments to be submitted on behalf of NPPC.
• Work very closely and collegially with the NPPC Science & Technology Counsel who is NPPC's lobbyist on all science and technology issues.
• Prepare and keep current concise and well written background papers on all issues related to food safety, animal care and nutrition.
• Coordinate with other DC office issue managers on matters that may overlap to ensure consistency in objectives, positions and strategies.
• Coordinate with Congressional Relations and Communications staff.
• Liaison with USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service and FDA's Center for Food Safety on all regulatory actions relative to food safety including, residues, pathogens and animal welfare issues at the plant.
• Liaison with the North American Meat Institute and other trade associations on food safety and animal handling issues affecting all food animal species.
• Coordinate with the National Pork Board on food safety and animal care issues and research needs.
• As needed, assist NPPC trade staff in dealing with food safety and animal welfare issues that are raised as barriers to trade.
• Prepare recommendations on policy positions.
• Provide technical input on new technology and the regulation of such technologies.
• The Director of Science and Technology will have secondary responsibilities to the Chief Veterinarian in the areas of foreign and emerging animal diseases and antimicrobial resistance issues.
• Provide support to NPPC's Animal Health and Food Safety Committee, New Technology Task Force, and other NPPC committees as needed.
• Development of educational material for producers and veterinarians in subject areas, including coordination of the Swine Veterinary Student Extern program, and technical advice with respect to regulatory oversight or international standard setting.
• Participate in long range planning with regard to pork safety research, education, and programs.
• Participate and lead in coalitions that further NPPC objectives.

Other Responsibilities

Take on other assignments and projects which may be outside of primary issue area as needed. Other duties as assigned by supervisor and VP Global Gov't Affairs.

Qualifications

• Must be self-motivated and able to work effectively without direct supervision.
• Must possess good research and written communication skills.
• Must work well with other people, be flexible and be open to change.
• Must possess good organizational skills and able to handle several projects at one time with the ability to make sound decisions, as job responsibilities require.
• Must possess the ability to coordinate and plan multiple meetings and projects simultaneously.
• Must have a good working knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and database operations.

Travel

Requires travel (Approximately 15- 20%). Must have a valid driver's license and passport.

Education and/or Experience

Applicants for this position must possess a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from a U.S. accredited university and have at least one-year experience in food safety or equivalent training. A master's in public health is desirable.

Location

National Pork Producers Council Washington, DC Office

To Apply

Submit applications for the Director of Science and Technology position online at https://nppc.org/about-us/careers/, or email cover letter, resume, and writing sample to jobs@nppc.org. The application due date is January 15.