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.

Class Descriptions 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.

Class Descriptions provide information about the Nature of Work, Examples of Work, General Requirements and Acknowledgements.  The Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; Minimum Education and Experience Requirements; Special Requirements; and recruitment and testing procedures are set by the using agency.

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.