AGRICULTURAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST II

17

Salisbury Animal Health Laboratory (SAHL), 27722 Nanticoke Road, Salisbury, MD 21801  

This position will be assigned 24-hour on-call status periodically and can be involved in emergency duty at any time, night, or day. Some weekend and evening duty is required during a disease outbreak or other assigned Agency activity. It may involve occasional overnight travel in and out of state. This position is essential for the continuity of operations at SAHL and fulfilling the core functions and adjectives of MDA.

As an Agricultural Laboratory Scientist II, this position serves primarily to support the Agency's mission to prevent and control infectious diseases of livestock and poultry and to ensure consumer confidence by conducting the highest quality veterinary analytic and diagnostic tests available in the assigned regional laboratory of the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA). The position is responsible for assisting with technical and scientific testing in the microbiology and parasitology diagnostic laboratories, performing duties related to serology, and assisting in the molecular and necropsy laboratory sections as required. 

This position is considered an essential employee for continuity of operations purposes.

Perform Laboratory Diagnostic Testing Procedures according to the Laboratory's Operating Procedures and ISO 10725 Standards. All diagnostic testing will be conducted using the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) and a biological safety cabinet (BSC) for samples containing unknown or known organisms that can cause infection in animals, poultry or humans.

• Follow all applicable safety, health, biosafety, biosecurity, and personal protection equipment SOPs for all laboratory activities. Assists with all diagnostic testing in the Microbiology and Serology Laboratories that may include aerobic/anaerobic cultures, antibiotic sensitivities, parasitology, and mycology, according to the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and Salisbury Animal Health Laboratory (SAHL) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Disease testing in the Microbiology and Serology laboratories will be dependent on training and passing proficiency testing. For Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) testing, the assistant Microbiologist will be responsible for performing and reporting test results in VADDS. It's crucial to electronically document all EIA SOPs, work instructions, billing, special client procedures, and sample pick-up procedures to retain clients as the MDA expands and our processes become more online and app-based for EIA testing.

Provide backup support to Molecular testing conducted in the laboratory and necropsy assistance when the workload is high, or the lead scientists or necropsy scientists are absent. Disease testing in the Molecular laboratory will be dependent on training and passing proficiency testing. Necropsy assistance will be performed on an as-needed basis, and training for the task will take place before providing assistance.  Responsible for reviewing, reporting, and verifying test results in the Laboratory's Information Management Systems (V ADDS), Global Vet Link (GVL), or Veterinary Service Processes Streamlining (VSPS) within the time frame specified by the laboratory's Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs).

• Partner with the Technical Laboratory Manager to schedule and complete all laboratory training and yearly proficiency testing. Proficiency testing verifies the accuracy and reliability of the testing completed in the laboratory and is an ISO 17025 requirement. Identifies and evaluates new procedures and technologies in published literature.
• Prepare a summary of the evaluation and recommend to the laboratory manager how the latest technology could improve laboratory efficiency or capability.  Works with the lab's equipment manager to enter equipment certifications in the laboratory quality management system, Qualtrax.  When an existing SOP/Work Instruction is updated or a new procedure is brought into the laboratory, a detailed training record on the SOP/Work Instruction will be provided to other trainees to be signed off by both trainee and trainer in the laboratory.

Troubleshoot instrumentation within the microbiology and serological laboratories and maintains instruments in working order. Schedule at least one semiannual meeting with the laboratory technical manager to discuss ways to increase laboratory efficiency and capabilities. Pursues continuing education to keep abreast of professional, scientific, and practical aspects of microbiology/regulatory issues to maintain and improve laboratory skills to enhance job performance.  Perform special tests and surveys and participates in special projects. Participates in the Laboratory Response Network Sentinel Laboratory Bio-Terrorist Preparedness Training Program.

• Support and participate in the laboratory accreditation process, follows ISO 10725 requirements and Laboratory Quality Manual systems, including initiating Corrective Action Reports (CAR) and all required reporting and documentation in cooperation with the Technical Lab Manager and Quality Manager. Review and updates procedure manuals, technical manuals, SOPs, work instructions, and related journal materials for primary and secondary assigned laboratory sections.
• Evaluates, develops, recommends, and implements new approaches or processes to improve laboratory efficiency, testing capability, and result turnaround time. Performs inspections to determine the suitability of test samples and reports unsuitable sample issues to the Laboratory Manager.  When delays in testing or testing anomalies occur, they are reported to the Laboratory Manager, and the next steps will be evaluated. When a reportable disease is detected, immediately inform the Laboratory Manager, who will notify the Laboratory Director. Maintains a clean, organized workplace.

Clean and disinfect work area before leaving the room for breaks, lunch, and at the end of the day.  Keeps records of worksheets and test results, as federal and state regulations mandate. The Technical Supervisor and other authorities periodically review these records. Records and tracks the inventory of laboratory supplies in the Microbiology stock supply areas. Ensures that the stock numbers in the SAHL Stock Inventory Google Sheet are kept up to date, logs new materials upon receipt, and when applicable writes the date on the item when opened.  Before taking leave, notify the Laboratory Manager or backup scientist at least one day in advance about any pending work that needs to be completed during your absence. For student interns, work-study students, and visiting scientists, the Laboratory Manager may ask to provide basic laboratory techniques, testing methods, and biosafety laboratory procedures as assigned.

Experience: Five years of experience, one year of experience performing laboratory analysis work in a biological, chemical, food, commercial, animal health, medical or public health laboratory and an additional four years of experience performing veterinary analytical, diagnostic, and epidemiological laboratory testing work.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree in biological or chemical sciences from an accredited college or university, including one course in general microbiology and one year of experience performing laboratory analysis work in a biological, chemical, food, commercial, animal health, medical or public health laboratory for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree in the chemical or biological sciences from an accredited college or university for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in natural resources management and biological science classification or natural resources management and biological science specialty codes in the animal science field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.   

One year of experience in the veterinary field such as working in veterinary research or diagnostics laboratory.

One year of experience performing diagnostic testing such as bacteriology, serology, molecular, or other testing for pathogens.

One year of experience assisting with animal autopsies (necropsies) in a clinical, research or diagnostic laboratory setting.

One year of experience with a laboratory software data entry system.

NOT APPLICABLE

NOT APPLICABLE

1. Candidates for some positions may be given a medical examination to rule out color blindness.

2. Employees in this classification must be willing to undergo and maintain rabies immunization.

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training, and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.  The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

Please report on all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree, transcript, and major on your application, if applicable. 

For education obtained outside of the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service. If you possess a degree obtained outside of the United States, please submit a detailed, course-by-course evaluation report from one of the U.S. equivalences evaluating members identified at http://www.naces.org/members.html.  Any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an official evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). 

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added.  Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.  

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report on all experience and education that is related to this position.

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.

It is important that all experiences be fully documented. Failure to ANSWER ALL SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY AND ACCURATELY may cause the candidate to be rejected.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE APPLICATION COMPLETELY.

➢ The application is part of the examination process. Your answers will determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the selection process.

➢ Clearly describe your qualifications in detail. Credit cannot be given for education, training, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that you fail to indicate.

➢ Do not leave any answer spaces blank; if a question does not apply, write "N/A".

➢ Although you may attach a resume to further describe your qualification, it does not substitute for completing the application form. An incomplete application form may result in disqualification. Do NOT write "see resume" in your work history or responses to supplemental questions.

➢ Failure to comply with these instructions may result in disqualification.

➢ Read the Job Announcement carefully for specific filing instructions, supplemental questions, and final filing dates. 

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, hand-deliver or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831).

For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Stacey Summers 410-841-5840 or mda.humanresources@maryland.gov.  TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.

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.