PRINCIPAL ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN

Code: 55700 State Competitive Range: R24 (FY 2027) Work week NE: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $76,286.63 - $111,856.03/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the general supervision of a higher-level supervisory official in the Department of Agriculture, within designated areas, supervises Animal Health Technicians responsible for performing complex clinical, investigative, laboratory, and public relations work needed to detect and control the spread of infectious and contagious diseases in New Jersey's livestock, poultry, and other animal species; determines the need for and plans, organizes, directs, monitors, and supervises staff responsible for performing detailed field and/or laboratory examinations, investigations, tests, and quarantines; supervises the development and presentation of educational programs and laboratory outreach; supervises work and staff activity; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

Supervises and/or performs inspections of licensed garbage feeding swine farms to ensure compliance with state and federal sanitation requirements; supervises the education of producers on a regular basis to detect potentially infectious diseases, including foreign animal diseases. Supervises and trains Animal Health Technicians in sample collection from cattle, swine, and poultry according to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Uniform Methods and Rules, for (brucellosis, pseudorabies, pullorum, etc.) testing by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture laboratory. Supervises and/or conducts epidemiological investigations of disease outbreaks, including diagnostic testing, analyses, and comprehensive reports that may include recommendations for action and preventive measures to reduce the risk of similar outbreaks in the future. Supervises and instructs Animal Health Technicians in performing traceback duties to identify and control the movement of animals that test positive for monitored diseases at slaughter. Supervises and/or conducts additional testing as determined by data collection and makes recommendations for surveillance as needed, and supervises and/or performs analysis of herds in federal programs. Trains and supervises Animal Health Technicians in performing post-mortem examinations to aid in the determination of disease of livestock and poultry; supervises staff in performing other related laboratory and/or fieldwork. Provides recommendations for quarantines and instructs Animal Health Technicians to issue quarantines on diseased animals to prevent the spread of disease to healthy stock. Supervises and/or performs appraisal, destruction, and disposal of infected livestock or poultry to eradicate the disease. Supervises the collection of milk samples from cows and goats at assigned farms and milk processing plants for regulatory tests (i.e., brucellosis ring test) to ensure that animals are free from infection; prepares reports thereon. Plans, supervises, and conducts the development and implementation of educational and outreach programs for stakeholders and citizens of the State. Coordinates monthly training sessions for division personnel and USDA personnel. Represents the Division at various livestock and agricultural meetings in New Jersey. Arranges, coordinates, and gives talks and presentations concerning animal disease control to agricultural and other involved groups and stakeholders. Supervises the inspection of livestock and poultry assigned to auction markets to prevent the potential spread of disease to the State's livestock industry; supervises Animal Health Technicians responsible for acting as division liaison to auction markets to ensure compliance with rules and regulations and to educate market staff to detect potentially infectious diseases including foreign animal diseases. Supervises and/or conducts epidemiology examinations to control and eradicate disease outbreaks in infected herds or flocks. Supervises and/or conducts implementation of the National Poultry Improvement Plan; supervises and/or inspects the condition of poultry in quarantined areas to prevent the spread of disease to the State's poultry industry. Supervises the inspection of transported (intrastate and interstate) quarantined animals and poultry for identification purposes to ensure freedom from disease and verify their compliance with state standards for importation. Interprets and explains the laws of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) and the USDA in response to inquiries from livestock stakeholders. Supervises the licensing of livestock dealers to include the inspection of livestock dealer records and premises to determine compliance with state and federal guidelines. Supervises regulatory development, adoption, amendments, and re-adoption. Acts as a witness in prosecutions of alleged violations of the law. Supervises veterinary medical diagnostic tests, veterinary microbiological examinations, animal serologic examinations, molecular tests, parasitic animal examinations, virologic examinations, and necropsy (post-mortem) examinations to aid in the determination of diseases of a wide variety of animal species, including livestock, poultry, companion animals, zoo animals, and wildlife; determines the need for confirmatory testing based on initial results/findings and performs other related laboratory work. Supervises, trains, and instructs Animal Health Technicians in performing Equine Infectious Anemia, Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM), Avian Influenza, necropsy examinations, and other veterinary diagnostic laboratory tests to prevent the spread of disease in New Jersey's animal population. Supervises, interprets, and/or conducts additional testing as determined by initial data and makes veterinary diagnostic laboratory testing recommendations as needed. Supervises and conducts emerging and Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) testing and necropsy examinations including but not limited to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Classical Swine Fever (CSF), Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), African Swine Fever (ASF), etc.; Supervises compliance with the USDA National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) rules and agreements. Supervises and conducts surveillance testing in support of the state and federal regulatory programs. Supervises acquisition, accession, chain of custody, storage, and disposal of various sample types, including blood samples, body fluids, carcasses, swabs, milk samples, food samples, etc., to ensure the integrity of specimens and samples. Supervises and conducts animal tissue collection, grossing, processing, and staining (including special staining) for animal disease diagnoses by a veterinary pathologist. Supervises and conducts complex veterinary clinical chemistry and toxicology analyses, interprets findings, and communicates findings to stakeholders. Supervises preparation of proficiency testing specimens for monitoring veterinary diagnostic test performance; supervises preparation and standardization of reagents and standard solutions, culture media and stains, and antigens used; supervises the maintenance of inventories. Supervises research on veterinary diagnostic related problems and emerging issues, and analytical validation and verification studies, designed by research scientists and veterinarians. Supervises compliance of all the lab work with laboratory safety requirements, quality system, and the ISO standard /AAVLD requirements to obtain accreditation. Supervises acquisition, storage, preservation, maintenance, recording, and proper use of laboratory equipment, materials, and supplies to ensure compliance with the quality system. Keeps current with literature, practices, and new developments in the field of veterinary diagnostic laboratory science; makes recommendations regarding the importance of modifying existing procedures or establishment of new tests and examinations; reviews and revises SOPs. Communicates with the laboratory clients, addresses client requests and complaints related to laboratory services, and ensures client satisfaction. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Develops, reviews, and analyzes division Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Assists management with the development of annual work plans, budget projections, personnel needs, and allocation of program resources to meet operational objectives. Develops, recommends, implements, and evaluates animal disease control activities. Develops, recommends, and enforces laws, regulations, administrative procedures, standards, and rules concerning animal health and welfare. Acts as a witness in prosecutions of alleged violations of the law. Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports of veterinary diagnostic laboratory tests, inspections, analyses, and examinations containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Division Director for action. Prepares detailed correspondence. Trains and supervises data entry staff. Supervises the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of the habits and behavior of livestock and poultry. Knowledge of the husbandry procedures as they apply to livestock and poultry. Knowledge of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Federal Swine Health Protection Act and the procedures to inspect and/or coordinate inspections of licensed garbage-feeding swine farms under the Act. Knowledge of the Federal laws concerning the importation and shipment of poultry and livestock. Knowledge of the prevention and control of contagious diseases of poultry and livestock and their application to specific cases. Knowledge of how to draw blood samples from cattle, swine, goats, and horses according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Uniform Methods and Rules. Knowledge of the field tests for various livestock and poultry diseases. Knowledge of the laws of New Jersey and the rules and regulations of the Department of Agriculture concerning the importation and shipment of poultry and livestock. Knowledge of the principles and application of livestock and poultry quarantines. Knowledge of veterinary diagnostic laboratory examinations, tests, and analyses. Knowledge of the veterinary diagnostic laboratory-related federal and State rules, regulations, methods, and policies. Knowledge of the veterinary diagnostic laboratory accreditation and ISO standard. Knowledge of the veterinary diagnostic laboratory biosafety and biosecurity to ensure safe operations. Knowledge of the veterinary diagnostic laboratory equipment, reagents, and techniques. Ability to communicate lab results to clients and supervise resolution of client complaints. Ability to plan, organize, and supervise veterinary diagnostic laboratory examinations, tests, and analyses of varied types following standards and prescribed procedures in compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements. Ability to plan, organize, supervise use, maintenance, and calibration of veterinary diagnostic laboratory equipment and supplies in such a manner as to avoid unnecessary breakage and comply with the quality system. Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the necropsy operations (animal autopsy) and histology processing. Ability to develop methods, procedures, and SOPs to ensure they are based on the latest scientific literature. Ability to plan, organize, supervise assigned work, analyze routine lab problems, and develop appropriate work methods. Ability to implement and supervise laboratory safety requirements and quality system standards. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to recognize and identify abnormal health conditions and behavior of livestock and poultry. Ability to supervise testing and analyses in accordance with established procedures and methods. Ability to comprehend and carry out written and verbal instructions and field procedures. Ability to instruct and supervise in the blood sampling from cattle, swine, goats, poultry, and horses according to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Uniform Methods and Rules. Ability to plan, organize, and supervise field tests for various livestock and poultry diseases. Ability to work effectively with associates, veterinarians, superior officers, farmers, stockmen, poultrymen, and others interested in or concerned with the Division of Animal Health activities. Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the laws of New Jersey and the federal government, and the rules, regulations, polices, and procedures of the Department of Agriculture concerning the importation and shipment and the prevention, control, and eradication of contagious and infectious disease of poultry and livestock. Ability to act as a witness in court and give testimony under oath. Ability to supervise, plan, and conduct training programs. Ability to develop educational and technical assistance materials for use in training programs. Ability to plan, organize, and supervise epidemiological follow-up investigations, examinations, and analyses of livestock and poultry disease outbreaks. Ability to develop regulations affecting the livestock and poultry industry. Ability to make presentations regarding animal disease control information and/or veterinary diagnostic laboratory information. Ability to prepare and/or supervise the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to maintain and/or supervise the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Seven (7) years of professional laboratory examination, analysis, and testing experience on a wide variety of animal specimens in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory or clinic and/or of technical experience inspecting and controlling livestock and poultry diseases and conducting field and laboratory tests concerning these diseases in a regulatory agency or private industry; and twenty-one (21) credit hours concentration in animal science, animal science technology, veterinary technology, or other related biological sciences. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with twenty-one (21) credit hours concentration in animal science, animal science technology, veterinary technology, or other related biological sciences; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.