Position Announcement: Chief Veterinary Officer and National Director, Humane Heartland-Farm Animal Welfare Program

December 17, 2013 — American Humane Association

American Humane Association is conducting a national search for a Chief Veterinary Officer and National Director of Humane Heartland to serve as program head of its national farm animal welfare audit and education services program, working in association with farmers/ranchers, agricultural industry trade organizations, meat, dairy and egg trade organizations, retailers, food service, chefs, farm animal equipment manufacturers, veterinarians and academics specializing in farm animal science, legislators and regulators, media, and consumers. This position is based at American Humane Association’s national headquarters in Washington, D.C. and reports to the President/CEO.

For 136 years American Humane Association has been the nation’s leading voice for the protection of children and animals, the most vulnerable in our communities. As the oldest national humane organization – and the only one devoted to this dual mission and the power of the human-animal bond - American Humane Association has since 1877 been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in the prevention of abuse and neglect and the promotion of wellbeing of children and animals. American Humane Association created the first third party farm animal welfare program in the United States. The American Humane Certified program is the largest such program, ensuring humane treatment of one billion farm animals.

Position summary:

The Chief Veterinary Officer and National Director of Humane Heartland serves as program leader for the first and largest third party farm animal welfare audit program in the nation, the American Humane Certified program, under American Humane Association’s Humane Heartland programmatic plank. Humane Heartland also includes the Seal of Approval program which reviews manufacturers’ equipment designs and technology that demonstrably improve the welfare of animals; an educational curriculum for elementary school children; and humane handling training for farm managers and workers. Humane Heartland seeks to educate farmers/ranchers and retailers on the value of third party certification of good animal welfare practices and to educate consumers and children on the taste, nutritional and quality benefits of humanely raised food. The Chief Veterinary Officer and National Director of Humane Heartland also serves as a senior leader on American Humane Association’s leadership team.

Responsibilities:

• Provides leadership of American Humane Association’s Humane Heartland programmatic plank and staff

• Serves as national and international spokesperson for the program, reflecting the mission and values of American Humane Association

• Ensures that animal welfare standards and guidelines incorporate new research and technology

• Provides oversight of independent auditors, ensuring proper credentialing, experience, knowledge of AHA farm animal welfare standards, availability and professionalism

• Directs development of new standards for additional species to be audited and certified

• Oversees the Scientific Advisory Committee to ensure the judicious use of their expertise, volunteer time and energy

• Recruits additional Scientific Advisors to reflect the volume and species of new certified producers

• Works closely with Communications and Philanthropic Services staff on coordinated initiatives for Humane Heartland support, including corporate sponsorships, donor cultivation, grant proposals, social media and direct mail appeals

• Works to differentiate AHA and the American Humane Certified program from other third party certification programs and welfare organizations with food agendas

• Works collaboratively with directors of other programmatic planks to pursue potential partnerships with certified producers seeking to support the broader mission of organization

• Works with educators to expand curricula for grades K-9 that encourages informed food choices and educates about the benefits of humanely raised food

• Ensures provision of ongoing education, team building and career development for program staff

• Provides accountability for fiscal management of the program; responsible for thorough understanding and monitoring of program budget to control variances and cash flow, balancing revenue expenditures

• Initiates and oversees all program contractual agreements with certified producers and manufacturers in the Seal of Approval program

• Develops relationships with federal and state legislative leaders and committees who can influence the inclusion of fundamental animal welfare standards in food policy

• Actively networks with regional and national farm animal trade organizations and national retailers

• Selects annual trade shows and industry meetings to attend to maximize opportunities to meet influential people and companies

• Meets with major certified producers annually

• Seeks and delivers public speaking engagements, radio and TV interviews and uses social networking, coordinating public appearances with AHA’s communications strategy and Communications department

• Provides stories, data and content for Communications and Philanthropic Services staff for use on website, appeals, funding proposals, projects and general public information

• Monitors national and international farm animal health and welfare trends as well as legislative and regulatory activity and keeps CEO and senior management updated on emerging issues

• Ensures that all program and informational materials and web site are up to date and reflective of best practices

• Cultivates relationships and funding opportunities with the agricultural business and related industries community at local, state and federal levels

• As a senior leader of American Humane Association, the Chief Veterinary Officer and National Director, Humane Heartland leads by example, adapting to a continually evolving environment and helping others thrive in a results-oriented workplace

Essential experience, knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

• Diversity of experience in agricultural animal health and welfare

• Leadership experience in agriculture industries, food supply chain, marketing and sales

• Extensive experience with principles and practices associated with animal welfare including animal husbandry, humane education and employee training

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; active listening

• Adept at building collaborative relationships and demonstrating diplomacy with diverse constituencies, including farmers/ranchers, trade organizations, retailers, food services and academics

• Demonstrated ability to provide effective and timely leadership decisions

• Proven ability to run a successful business or program, including budget management

Direct reports:

• Field Operations Manager; Standards and Systems Manager; Senior Account Manager

Physical demands and work environment:

• Extensive travel, often to remote locations

• Exposure to barns with intensive animal production

• Exposure to biosecure environments, requiring donning of protective gear

Employees are expected to adhere to all company policies and to act as role models, demonstrating American Humane Association’s core values:

Compassion
Accountability
Respect for all
Loyalty to our mission
Honesty, integrity and trust
Sustainability

Please apply online at https://home.eease.adp.com/recruit/?id=7072191 or email resume and cover letter to humanresources@americanhumane.org

American Humane Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer