Jobs, Careers and Community Service
Biosecurity is about management and interventions in animal production and the food supply to prevent the spread of diseases throughout these complex systems. Therefore, animal health and biosecurity knowledge is valuable to many careers, and specific jobs, within agriculture, food production, recreational animal industries, public health, and agri-food business. Of course, careers in veterinary medicine may come to mind first, but this knowledge, and a risk management mindset, will benefit anyone working in this broad field. The list below provides examples of careers and jobs across this system where biosecurity knowledge is an asset, if not a requisite. Teachers and students may also brainstorm additional examples of opportunities.
Animal Agriculture and Allied Industries
Everyone who interacts, directly or indirectly, with recreational and food animals has a role to play in biosecurity. Any connection or interaction between animals, between people and animals, between animals and tools, equipment, or vehicles/trailers can be an opportunity to spread a pathogen (disease-causing organism). In the course of working in the following jobs or situations, biosecurity knowledge is important to manage that contact with separation in time, separation in space, and cleaning between contacts.
- Livestock and poultry management
- herdsman
- barn/stable manager
- flock manager
- ranch manager
- Animal care and handling
- farm and ranch hands
- farriers/hoof trimming
- animal shippers and haulers
- auction, show, and event staff and promoters
- Breeding and genetics service providers
- A.I. and ultrasound technicians
- breeding stock providers/sellers
- Veterinarians and technicians
- Livestock and poultry judges
- Livestock feed and supplies representatives
Animal Facilities Design and Management
As previously described, biosecurity is about understanding direct and indirect interactions between animals and eventually food products. Therefore, those who design and manage farms, ranches, and animal facilities need biosecurity knowledge. This knowledge will allow them to design facilities, and plan animal movement through facilities, to minimize contact that poses a risk to good biosecurity.
- Agricultural engineers, designers, and managers of:
- working facilities
- barns and stables
- pens and lots
- confinement and feeding facilities
- fairgrounds, auction yards, and event facilities
- manure and agricultural waste management facilities
- manure and agricultural waste management processes (land application of manure, composting, dead animal management facilities…)
- feed mills and feed storage facilities
Public Health and Food
Continuing the theme of direct and indirect interactions between animals, people, and/or food, those who work in food production and with consumers should have a great deal of biosecurity knowledge. Examples of jobs or careers follow.
- Meat and food processing managers and employees
- Food service industry employees
- Meat, food, and restaurant inspectors
- General sanitarians
- Public health doctors and nurses
- Epidemiological experts and investigators
Communications
Many jobs fulfill the important role of communicating biosecurity concepts and practices within animal and food industries and to consumers (the general public). As EVERYONE interacts with the food system somewhere, communicating about biosecurity in general, and in emergencies is important. The following examples are but some of the communication careers where biosecurity knowledge could be applied.
- Agricultural writers and journalists
- Commodity and producer group public relations (PR) staff
- Government agency public information officers (PIOs)
- Emergency PIOs in government and private organizations
Education and Research
Legitimate and sound biosecurity practices should be grounded in science, i.e. research- and evidence-based knowledge. Jobs in this area represent a system of research, education, and policy development. These jobs usually require college education at a minimum and specific knowledge of animal and food systems.
- Research scientists (universities or government agencies)
- University instructors and professors
- Industry analysts
- Science advisors to industry groups and government
- K-12 teachers
- Adult and Extension educators
- 4-H and youth project leaders and advisors
Government, Law Enforcement and Emergency Responders
All of the jobs or careers listed in this unit have a role to play in biosecurity. Some examples below may also be listed in other categories or may be similar to previously listed examples; but there are additional specific roles that may be important in managing biosecurity related to commerce (business), trade, and agricultural and food emergency response.
- Port, border, and import inspectors for animals and food
- Brand inspectors
- Policy makers (those who make laws and rules about biosecurity)
- Law enforcement (local, state, and federal) engaged in animal and food emergencies
- Animal rescue organization managers and volunteers
- Emergency responders in general (traffic and transportation, medical and health, etc.)
- Subject matter experts (relevant to animal or food disaster or emergency; these may be the same examples listed above in Education and Research)
- Emergency response managers (incident commanders)
For a related activity, students could research a career from the examples above, or one they have identified.
Click the links below to download a sample worksheet of important career information for students to complete, and a completed example.
Community Service/Leadership: Opportunities for Youth Involvement
- Junior leadership at county fairs, exhibits, etc.
- Give a talk at a local farmer education meeting
- Public speaking i.e., Junior presentation to county fair board, local government, local producer group meetings, civic club
- Assist with farm tours
- Volunteer at an animal shelter
- Join the fair board as a youth advisor, emphasizing biosecurity
