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VETERINARIAN III, AGRICULTURE FIELD INSPECTION

Part Time Field Veterinarian

Recruitment #23-002837-0001

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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.

GRADE

19

LOCATION OF POSITION

50 Harry S Truman Pkwy, Annapolis MD 21401

Main Purpose of Job

This part time position serves primarily to prevent introduction of infectious diseases among Maryland’s agricultural livestock, poultry and equine by enforcing animal health regulations, providing diagnostic and investigative services and by educating animal producers, exhibitors, and veterinarians on disease control. By doing so, promotes consumer confidence in animal products; protects the environment from infectious disease agents and promotes agricultural productivity and marketability of animals and animal products. Responsible for and schedules field activities, Maryland approved fairs/shows, swap meets and other facilities or premises where animals are kept, sold or moved. Activities include regulatory inspections and enforcement duties such as reviewing and auditing dealer registrations; placing quarantines; disease surveillance; domestic and foreign disease investigations; staff training; and animal emergency operations such as pet sheltering and federally mandated “disease stamp-out” programs. This position requires respirator use.

POSITION DUTIES

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Regulatory Duties.
  • Administers the regulatory programs of the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Section, by working cooperatively and in close communication with livestock producers, equine owners, poultry producers, federal and practicing veterinarians, extension agents and others to prevent diseases from emerging and spreading in the state while providing timely, thorough resolution when found. Identifies federal targets and prepares plans to achieve goals. 
  • Confirms or refutes suspicions of various diseases by performing federal and state mandated tests (e.g., comparative cervical tuberculosis testing), sample collection, or epidemiological investigations to assure Maryland's compliance with certain state-federal-industry cooperative disease eradication programs. Reports investigations to the State Veterinarian and USDA, respectively. Submits an electronic disease report with clinical history, alternatives, and recommendations. 
  • With minimal supervision, imposes and releases quarantines on herds and flocks by creating and delivering timely, appropriate documentation to prevent disease spread. Submits a written disease report with alternatives and recommendations. 
  • Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician in emergency and incidence response. Compiles data on surveillance/ investigations and reports as directed. 
Technical Duties.
  • Assures operations are humane, sanitary and in compliance with regulations governing intrastate and interstate movement of animals. Delivers enforcement actions and operational schedule for inspection of livestock and poultry sales, exhibition, fairs, quarantine facilities, dealer inspections, and licensed auction markets. Reviews and archives supporting documents. 
  • Oversees regulated disease programs in concert with federal and state objectives as written under cooperative agreements. Provides written updates, statistical reporting, enhancements, and recommendations. Coordinates activities with federal counterparts to ensure status of Maryland in regulated programs. 
  • Aids and/or provides relief to other Field Veterinarians by periodically performing other tasks when unavailable, caseloads are excessive, or other duties are needed to maintain continuity and timely services.
Administrative Duties.
  • Resource management- provides supporting statistics for operating funding. 
  • Ensures adequate coverage and inspections are performed at sanctioned events, including attending events and reviewing inspection documentation. Coordinates with ADT coordinator for the dispersal, and return, of RFID materials and devices to provide coverage at events.
  • Embodies as an example of professionalism and ethics to field staff, coworkers, and management to motivate and maximize their effectiveness and foster career development. Directs or influences positive productivity and efficiency of task execution. 
  • Technical Writing- Drafts, edits and revises relevant SOPs. In coordination with MDA, UMD extension office and USDA develops outreach materials. Prepares and provides relevant Press Release drafts to the MDA PIO. Update and maintain documents for field services. 
  • Develops and maintains knowledge and skills in regulatory veterinary medicine and personnel management by participation in training, continuing education programs and independent study. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from a college or university accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association or its equivalent.

Experience: Three years of full-time experience in Veterinary Medicine.

Notes:
  1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctor of Philosophy degree or Doctor of Science degree in Veterinary Pathology or Public Health for the required experience.
  2. Candidates may substitute 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 the required experience.
  3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master of Science degree in pathology, microbiology, or animal science, or a Master of Public Health for two years of the required experience.
  4. 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

  • Bilingual: can Speak, Read and Write in Spanish
  • Livestock and/or Poultry Experience 

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that 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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Work involves exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings and exposure to hazardous conditions which may result in injury. Duties involve working in all kinds of weather and temperatures, unpleasant odors and other harsh environmental conditions. Field and animal emergency work may require working outdoors in inclement conditions, outside normal work hours and working with unpleasant people. Work involves working around and with farm animals which can cause injury by kicking, biting, lunging, etc. Some farm equipment used in handling livestock also has potential for bodily injury. Duties may involve physical hazards of large animals and their environments. Duties may require operating vehicles and equipment in inclement weather. Work may involve equipment required to produce rapid animal death such as drugs, chemicals, mechanical equipment and firearms. Work involves special physical demands such as lifting 50 pounds or more, climbing ladders, etc. Duties may, on occasion involve using heavy equipment such as gates, chutes, and decontamination gear, passing a Pulmonary Function Test, wearing a respirator, restraining large animals, and loading supplies. Safe Restraint of large animals; lifting and handling awkward and heavy equipment used in the field; agility such as climbing fences, gates, etc. Personal protective clothing is consistently utilized both in the field and laboratory settings. In the field, coveralls, boots, gloves, and other protective clothing/equipment are routinely used. Job function requires the use of a N-95 or other respirator and as such must maintain successful completion of a Pulmonary Function Test. These materials are also used to prevent spread of disease from one location to another. Such equipment may be required when working with diseased animals, tissues, or laboratory specimens to protect against infectious agents and hazardous substances. Position is likely to require service as a field incident commander in situations involving hazardous chemicals and/or infectious agents and require respirator use.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure 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 may be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Your application is part of the examination process. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of this position. The rating will be based on the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is important you detail all experience and education related to this position completely and accurately.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application is strongly preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Maryland Department of Agriculture  Human Resource Office, Room 304, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway,  Annapolis, MD  21401. The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.

Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the 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, hand-deliver or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831). All paper applications must be received by the closing date, no exceptions. (Postmarks not accepted.) 

If you are having difficulty with your user account, need to make adjustments to a submitted application or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management at Application.Help@maryland.gov ; ATTN: Recruitment and Examination Division 

Inquiries regarding this recruitment can be directed to Courtney Blackistone at courtney.blackistone1@maryland.gov. 

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay 

Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.



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