State of Maryland

Introduction
The Maryland Department of Agriculture is a department under Maryland’s Executive Branch. Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health, consumer services to include marketing and lab services, plant and pest management and resource conservation. As the number one industry in Maryland, the diversity of agriculture programs in the State continue to expand and grow.

The MDA Animal Health Program prevents and controls infectious and contagious diseases in Maryland livestock and poultry with particular emphasis on those diseases that threaten public health, endanger food supplies, or threaten the economic security of the animal industries. Come join our team and make a difference in preventing infectious and contagious diseases to Maryland livestock!

GRADE
20

LOCATION OF POSITION
Salisbury Animal Health Laboratory

2722 Nanticoke Road, Salisbury, Maryland 21801

Main Purpose of Job
The Veterinarian IV, Agriculture position at the Maryland Department of Agriculture manage the resources and activities of the Salisbury Animal Health Laboratory large animal necropsy area and provide pathology services (perform necropsies and interpret test reports) for domestic animals, primarily livestock and poultry, to provide accurate and timely diagnostic serves and guidance to farmers, private and public animal health professionals. The Large Animal Necropsy Director plays a key role in fulfilling the 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 field veterinarians, the State Veterinarian, and the Secretary of Agriculture in determining the appropriate course of action to take with regards to quarantine restrictions and implementation of animal disease emergency response plans.

POSITION DUTIES
Actively directs and oversees professional and technical activities of large animal necropsy area by assigning cases to appropriate veterinary, scientific, or technical staff, tracking progress of associated work, and review of reports before delivery to submitters or referring veterinarian.

Directs and oversees administrative and clerical activities of large animal necropsy area including but not limited to fee determination, budget requests, procurement, staff scheduling and attendance monitoring personally and/or by delegation to Lab Scientist, Administrative Specialist or Office Secretary.

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 (signs, age, breed, size of herd, percentage of animals affected or dead, previous treatments, vaccinations); performs gross necropsy on all species (postmortem exam); records pathological lesions (abnormalities observed); 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 reports of diagnosis or health status of herd, or findings to referring veterinarians, field personnel, submitters of animals or specimens to the laboratory, and/or other animal health officials as appropriate.

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.

Serve as mentor for candidates for veterinary pathology board certification, junior veterinary pathologists, veterinary college externs, pre-veterinary students, and work study students from local secondary schools.

Other duties as assigned or required such as court appearances as expert witness, outreach activities to animal related interest groups, consultation with peers in other MDA Animal Health Laboratories.

May involve work outside usual business hours and scheduled on call status. Employee is designated as an Emergency Essential Employee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
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 experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master of Science degree in pathology or microbiology, 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.

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

A Board-Certified Pathologist

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SELECTION PROCESS
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 all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an 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.

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS
Bargaining Unit: N/A

BENEFITS
STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
Online applications are STRONGLY preferred. If you 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. If you are submitting additional information, such as diplomas and 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). 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.

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: Kathleen Newhouse at 410-841-5837 or kathleen.newhouse2@maryland.gov.