Position Announcement: National (Canadian) PRRS Control and Elimination Project Coordinator

March 16, 2011 — Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians

The Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians (CASV), with support from the Canadian Swine Health Board (CSHB), is searching for individual(s) interested in taking on a leadership and co-ordination role in the initiation and implementation of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) control, elimination and eradication projects in Canada.

National PRRS Control and Elimination Project Coordinator
Open until: Friday, March 25th, 2011
Status: Up to full time equivalent
Job Type: Contract until March 31, 2013
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

The focus of the position is to develop a national swine disease control and elimination strategy using PRRS as a disease model. Working both independently and within a committee structure, the highly organized, successful candidate will:

• Build relationships with and between organizations already involved in PRRS area regional control and elimination (ARC & E) projects to help co-ordinate disease control efforts

• Assist in developing local leadership through meetings with producers, veterinarians and other stakeholders.

• Develop criteria to evaluate the feasibility of an area considering beginning a PRRS area control and elimination projects.

• Address issues instrumental to the success of a PRRS Control and Elimination Strategy such as, but not limited to: confidentiality agreements, standardizing definitions, identifying tools/guidelines needed by practitioners and producers , analyzing the cost/benefit for producers participating in an ARC & E project

• Develop a communication framework to facilitate the uptake and use of current information and to build on existing initiatives and knowledge.

The candidate for this position must:

• be eligible to practice veterinary medicine in Canada

• have a minimum of 5 years work experience in swine health management

• have a significant understanding of the PRRS virus

• preferably be bilingual

• be able to communicate effectively with all stakeholders

• possess a strong network within the Canadian swine industry

• be willing to travel frequently

This high profile position has the potential to have a significant positive impact on the Canadian swine industry. PRRS is the most costly disease currently affecting the Canadian herd. Controlling the impacts of this disease is fundamental to Canada remaining competitive in global pork trade.

The Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians (CASV) was founded in 2003 to bring together veterinarians from across Canada who have a special interest in swine. Membership now includes those in private practice, industry, academia and government. The CASV's mission is to be a responsive, proactive voice for veterinarians involved with the swine industry in Canada.

The Canadian Swine Health Board (CSHB) is a new organization with a mandate to provide leadership, coordination and support in the management of the health of the Canadian swine herd. Through an inclusive approach involving all stakeholders, the CSHB is working to develop and implement a long term strategy for control of diseases in the hog industry

The CASV and the CSHB recognize the challenges of finding an individual able to meet all of the above requirements - in particular, the requirement for bilingualism. In recognition of that reality, this position may end up being shared between two individuals. All interested candidates are encouraged to reply.

Please submit your resume electronically, in confidence, to casv@swinehealth.ca.