VETERINARIAN IV, AGRICULTURE

*** IMMEDIATE OPENING ***

This position plays a key role in fulfilling the Maryland Department of Agriculture's mission to protect and foster the development of agriculture by identifying diseases that could cause economic injury to the state's vital animal industries or pose a threat to public health.  The diagnoses provided by the Director are critical to guiding Agency staff in determining the appropriate course of action to take with regards to quarantine restrictions and implementation of animal disease emergency response plans.

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Maryland Department of Agriculture - Frederick Animal Health Laboratory - Frederick, MD

This position will manage the resources and activities of the Frederick Animal Health Laboratory and provide pathology services for domestic animals, primarily livestock and poultry, in order to provide accurate and timely diagnostic services and guidance to farmers, private and public animal health professionals. Supervises, either directly or indirectly, a staff of laboratory scientists and other support personnel.

Provides animal diagnostic services and guidance to the public, private veterinarians, state and federal animal health officials, and the Secretary of Agriculture as appropriate based on findings. Collects history; performs gross necropsy on all species; records pathological lesions; selects and collects appropriate tissues for testing, interprets results, reads microscopic slides.  Consults with other MDA veterinary pathologists as necessary to confirm diagnosis; prepares and provides all required reports and findings to animal health officials and other personnel as appropriate.

Actively directs and oversees professional and technical activities of the laboratory by assigning cases to appropriate veterinary, scientific or technical staff, tracking progress of work, and reviewing reports.  Directs and oversees administrative and clerical activities of the laboratory including but not limited to fee determination, budget requests, procurement, staff scheduling.  Reviews personnel time and attendance records, leave usage, performance appraisals, career development activities and other relevant factors.

Perform all functions necessary to maintain laboratory accreditation.  Serves as Deputy Quality Manager assuring the quality assurance program as directed by the ISO 17025 standard.

Designated Johne's Program coordinator and maintains NAHLN membership.

Determines needs for physical, technological, human and other resources to maintain or improve accuracy, timeliness, affordability, and appropriate availability of diagnostic services and makes corresponding requests and recommendations to management.

Serves as mentor for candidates for veterinary pathology board certification, junior veterinary pathologists, externs and students.

Other related duties as assigned or required such as court appearances, outreach activities, consultation with other MDA animal health staff.

Education: Possession of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 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 post-doctoral experience in Veterinary Medicine, three years of which must have been in a Veterinary diagnostic laboratory specialty.

Notes:

1. Applicants may substitute possession of a Ph.D. or D.Sc. degree in pathology or microbiology or Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists or Veterinary Microbiologists for two years of the required specialized experience.

2. Applicants may substitute possession of a M.S. degree in pathology or microbiology for one year of the required specialized experience. (Total allowable substitution under notes 1 and 2 is two years).

3. 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 and experience and education.

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application and supplemental questionnaire regarding your qualifications.

At least one year of experience as a Veterinary Pathologist.

At least one year of livestock pathology experience.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application to: Maryland Department of Agriculture  Human Resource Office, Room 304  50 Harry S. Truman Parkway  Annapolis, MD  21401.  All paper applications must be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date, no exceptions.  (Postmarks not accepted.) Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application. 

If you are submitting additional information, such as diplomas or transcripts, the preferred method is to upload them online with your application.  If you are unable to upload, you may mail, email, hand-deliver or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831).

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Mary Darling at 410-841-5847 or mary.darling@maryland.gov