The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) is seeking an Agricultural Regulatory Specialist I for the Office of the State Vet’s Office, Division of Regulatory Field Services, Disease Surveillance and Control Section 1, to learn and perform routine inspections related to testing and disease monitoring of livestock at market facilities, support animal health issues with local veterinarians and producers, and ensure regulatory compliance for entry of animals at livestock events.
About the Agency – Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Mission: Daily impact on every Kentuckian’s health, safety, finances, and well-being
Division: Office of State Vet’s Office, Regulatory Field Services, Disease Surveillance and Control
Employment Type: Executive Branch, Full-Time, Eligible for Overtime Pay, 37.5 hr/wk
Benefits Package: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, and paid leave
Career Opportunity & Growth
Statewide Role: Location varies with travel to stockyards, farms, businesses, and amusement parks
Hands-On Experience: Direct work with livestock and equine animal inspections statewide
Public Service Impact: Protect Kentucky’s agriculture industry through disease surveillance
Career Growth: Entry point into Kentucky’s regulatory and public agriculture service career track
Position Overview
This Agricultural Regulatory Specialist I role involves learning to perform routine inspections relative to testing and disease monitoring of livestock at market facilities for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. You will work with local veterinarians and producers on animal health issues, record and facilitate animal identification as required by the Animal Disease Traceability Rule, ensure regulatory compliance for entry of animals at livestock events, and learn beginning-level inspection duties for equine animals arriving from foreign countries, including identifying, quarantining, and inspecting animals upon arrival into Kentucky.
Why This Role Matters: As Agricultural Regulatory Specialist I with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, you help protect the health and safety of Kentucky’s livestock and agriculture industry, gain hands-on experience in animal disease surveillance and traceability, work directly with veterinarians, producers, and stockyard operators statewide, receive a comprehensive state benefits package including full health coverage and retirement, and build a stable career within Kentucky’s Executive Branch government service.
Key Responsibilities
Livestock Inspection & Disease Monitoring
- Learn to perform routine inspections relative to testing and disease monitoring of livestock at market facilities
- Work with local veterinarians and producers on animal health issues
- Support disease surveillance and control efforts statewide
- Complete stockyard and rendering inspections as required
Animal Identification & Traceability
- Record and facilitate identification of animals as required by the Animal Disease Traceability Rule
- Complete animal identification traceability records and forward to administrative staff
- Ensure accurate documentation supporting statewide livestock tracking
- Coordinate records with the State Veterinarian’s office in Frankfort
Regulatory Compliance & Livestock Events
- Ensure regulatory compliance for entry of animals at livestock events
- Conduct routine inspections of animals presented for entry at equine exhibitions, racetracks, and trail rides
- Verify compliance with regulations and testing requirements at public events
- Support enforcement of state agricultural regulations across venues
Equine Inspection & Border Control
- Learn to perform beginning-level inspection duties of equine animals from foreign countries
- Identify, quarantine, and inspect animals upon arrival into Kentucky
- Support biosecurity measures protecting Kentucky’s animal population
- Coordinate quarantine procedures in line with state and federal guidelines
Administrative Duties
- Complete and forward time sheets and activity reports to supervisor
- Maintain accurate, timely documentation of daily inspection activities
- Support administrative staff within the State Veterinarian’s office
- Ensure records are properly filed and accessible for regulatory review
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor’s degree
- Experience in agriculture, inspection, quality control, regulatory, chemical application, or pesticide/restricted chemical inspection may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis
Experience Requirements
- No prior experience, training, or skills required for this entry-level position
Special Requirements
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
- Must maintain any required licensure(s), certification(s), or other credentials for length of employment
- Must be willing to travel to stockyards, farms, businesses, and amusement parks
- Must be comfortable with close contact with livestock animals in barns and barnyards
About the Kentucky Department of Agriculture
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) has a daily impact on every Kentuckian’s health, safety, finances, and well-being, continuing the “Kentucky Proud” mission across the Commonwealth. This role sits within the Office of the State Vet’s Office, Division of Regulatory Field Services, Disease Surveillance and Control Section 1, offering a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement, optional deferred compensation plans, paid holidays, sick leave, and annual leave.
Career Excellence: Serve Kentucky’s agriculture industry in a hands-on regulatory role with strong state benefits and job stability.
Who Should Apply?
- Agriculture Graduates: With a bachelor’s degree seeking a career in animal health and regulation
- Inspection Professionals: With experience in quality control, regulatory, or chemical/pesticide inspection
- Animal Health Enthusiasts: Comfortable working closely with livestock and equine animals
- Public Service Candidates: Seeking stable Executive Branch employment with full state benefits
- Rural & Statewide Travelers: Willing to travel to stockyards, farms, and events across Kentucky
Recently opened JOBS 👇🏻
Crop Consultant Jobs Jetmore KS 2026
Agronomy Operations Specialist Jobs Plymouth NE 2026
