State of Maryland

A Veterinarian IV, Agriculture is the supervisory level of responsible professional work in the field of Veterinary Medicine.  The employee in this classification serves as the Veterinarian-in-charge of the Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Animal Health Section, Maryland Department of Agriculture.  The employee in this classification performs work that involves the direction and administration of all aspects of the Central Diagnostic Laboratory and the coordination of laboratory activities with the several State branch laboratories, federal laboratories, meat and poultry Inspectors, field Veterinarians and all other persons or agencies submitting specimens for diagnostic assistance. The employee is this classification is responsible for the continuous development of staff and facility resources in order to provide diagnostic support to all present and developing disease control and eradication programs, as well as the development of capabilities necessary to diagnose emerging diseases of economic importance to the State. The employee in this classification also is responsible for administrative and procedural aspects of laboratory management including budgetary and personnel matters, the maintenance and administration of the physical plant and facilities, the procurement and distribution of supplies and equipment, and the care of laboratory animals and livestock.  The employee in this classification is responsible for providing supervision and guidance to all lower-level Veterinarians Agriculture, technical and clerical personnel assigned to the Central Diagnostic Laboratory.

The employee in this classification receives general supervision and guidance from the Chief, Animal Health Section.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work of the class specification.

The Veterinarian IV Agriculture is differentiated from the Veterinarian III, Agriculture in that the Veterinarian IV Agriculture serves as the Veterinarian-in-charge of the Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Animal Health Section while Veterinarian III Agriculture serves as a specialist or supervisor in the field of veterinary medicine.

Provides leadership and guidance to professional and technical subordinates in the Central Veterinary Laboratory;

Performs and/or supervises general autopsy of animals and birds;

Performs and/or supervises microbiological techniques;

Performs and/or supervises hematological and serological techniques;

Performs and/or supervises histological techniques;

Makes disease diagnoses on animals or specimens submitted;

Performs and/or supervises administrative duties involving procurement of laboratory supplies, maintenance of adequate records and reports, and establishment of administrative procedures and policies;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of gross pathology, microbiology, histopathology, hematology, serology, toxicology, fluorescent antibody techniques, cell culture and antigen production;

Knowledge of disease control programs and disease eradication objectives;

Knowledge of the elementary concepts of laboratory administrative techniques;

Ability to supervise and coordinate the work of others, including other professional employees;

Ability to establish and maintain effective administrative procedures and policies;

Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others;

Ability to communicate effectively.

Education: A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or a Veterinary Medical Doctor’s degree from a college or university accredited or recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Experience: Five years of full-time postdoctoral experience in Veterinary Medicine, three years must have been in a Veterinary diagnostic laboratory specialty area or equivalent.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctor of Philosophy degree or Doctor of Science degree in pathology or microbiology or Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists or Veterinary Microbiologists for three years of the required specialized experience.

2. Candidates may possess board certification in American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Equine, Bovine, Food Animal, Dairy, Swine, Avian), American College of Internal Medicine (large animal), American College of Veterinary Surgeons, and American College of Poultry Veterinarians for three years of the required specialized experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master of Science degree in pathology, microbiology, or animal science, or a Master of Public Health for two years of the required specialized experience.

4. Candidates may substitute the possession of a PhD in Public Health for three years of the required specialized experience.

5. Total allowable substitution under notes #1, 2, 3 and 4 are three years.

6. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in veterinary preventive medicine classification or veterinary preventive medicine specialty codes in the veterinary medical science field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education and experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.