State of Maryland

A Veterinary Epidemiologist III is a Regional Public Health Veterinarian in professional veterinary medical work which may include assignments such as the coordination of public health veterinary programs for Baltimore City, or for a county having a population of 300,000 or more, or for three or more smaller political subdivisions.  Employees in this classification provide consultative services to local governmental officials, Veterinarians and health organizations in the general field of animal-related problems, as well as assist the Chief, Division of Veterinary Medicine.  Employees in this classification cooperate with the United States Department of Agriculture, the Maryland Department of Agriculture and other agencies on various veterinary programs and conducts professional investigations of animal diseases which are transmissible and pathogenic to humans.  Employees in this classification also provide assistance in the formulation of regulations for the administration and enforcement of laws pertaining to the control of animal diseases and animal-related complaints.  Employees in this classification may supervise lower-level Veterinarians Epidemiology or other positions.

Employees in this classification receive administrative direction from the Chief, Division of Veterinary Medicine.  Work effectiveness is evaluated through observation, staff meetings and/or reports in terms of achievements of program goals.

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 sections of the class specification.

Assists the Chief of Veterinary Medicine to plan, develop and implement a Regional program of preventive medicine in the area of veterinary public health;

Provides supervision of clinic staff who implement program of the Division of Veterinary Medicine;

Provides consultation to Physicians, Veterinarians and other health authorities in zoonotic disease control and treatment procedures for humans and animals;

Conducts epidemiologic investigation into human disease of animal origin;

Assists in the development of methods for the control and prevention of animal diseases transmissible to man in the formulation and interpretation of regulations for the administration and enforcement of laws pertaining to such diseases;

Cooperates with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture, Veterinarians, professional organizations, livestock and agriculture organizations and public groups in the administration of laws and regulations pertaining to the prevention of disease of public health importance;

Cooperates with local Veterinarians, Physicians, public health authorities and government officials concerning veterinary services and programs as an expert consultant;

Represents the Chief Division of Veterinary Medicine in local health matters pertaining to veterinary medicine;

Assists in planning and participating in the training of clinic staff;

Prepares information and makes presentations to professional and civic groups;

Attends staff meetings and participates in discussions, lectures, seminars and case presentations;

Performs other related duties.  

Knowledge, at the expert level of proficiency, of the basic principles and practices of veterinary medicine with particular reference to communicable diseases that are transmissible and pathogenic to humans;

Knowledge of State and federal laws and regulations relating to livestock disease control and communicable disease control in humans;

Ability to implement the policies of the Maryland Department of Health to ensure a comprehensive and uniform veterinary public health program at the local level;

Ability to conduct epidemiological investigation of human outbreaks of disease and to provide recommendations regarding suitable control measures;

Ability to conduct research programs in diseases common to animals and humans to work with and secure the cooperation of professional and lay personnel;

Ability to interpret federal, State and local laws relating to animal disease control;

Ability to review and prepare specialized reports of veterinary activities;

Ability to skillfully use related laboratory equipment, methods and techniques;

Ability to supervise.

Education:   Eligibility for examination for certification by the American Board of Veterinary Public Health.

Experience: Eligibility for examination for certification by the American Board of Veterinary Public Health.

Note: Candidates must present a copy of a current letter from the American Board of Veterinary Public Health which indicates eligibility to take the examination for certification.

                                                               OR              

Education:   A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or Veterinary Medical Doctor’s degree from a college or university accredited or recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association, and a Master’s degree in Public Health from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Three years of experience in a public health program at either the federal, State, or local level.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience gained from the practice of clinical veterinary medicine at the rate of two years of experience for only one year of required experience, provided the candidate has a minimum of one year of experience in a State public health program.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Health from an accredited college or university for only one year of the required experience.

1. Applicants for this classification must be accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture and registered with the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

2. Applicants for this classification must be licensed and currently registered with the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.  A photocopy of current registration must be attached to the application.

3. Applicants for this classification who are eligible for a Maryland License on the basis of reciprocity or endorsement will be admitted to the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Examination if a copy of a current letter of eligibility from the Maryland Veterinarian Licensing Board is attached to the application.  Permanent appointment is conditional upon passing Maryland’s Veterinarian licensing requirements.

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 assigned to Bargaining Unit E- Health Care Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.