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VETERINARIAN III, AGRICULTURE

Field Veterinarian/Necropsy - Central and Western Region

Recruitment #24-002837-0001

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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 and 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 continues 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 animal industries.  

Come join our team and make a difference in preventing infectious and contagious diseases to Maryland livestock, poultry and swine!

GRADE

21

LOCATION OF POSITION

Maryland Department of Agriculture Headquarters - Annapolis, Maryland

Note:  Statewide travel is required (Department vehicle provided).  

Portion of job is located in Frederick Maryland

Main Purpose of Job

This position serves as a Field Veterinarian and provides Necropsy services. As a Field Veterinarian, primarily serves to prevent introduction of infectious diseases among Maryland's agricultural poultry and livestock by enforcing animal health regulations, providing diagnostic and investigative services and by educating animal producers, exhibitors, and veterinarians on disease control. As a Necropsy Services Provider- the majority of the focus is to provide necropsy service support for the Frederick Animal Health Lab (FAHL). This position provides additional necropsy coverage as well as leave coverage for the primary pathologists at both Frederick and Salisbury Animal Health Laboratories. This position provides critical support to the Agency's mission of protecting animal and public health, promoting agriculture, ensuring consumer confidence, and protecting the environment. This position requires respirator use.

POSITION DUTIES

Field Veterinarian: 
  • Responsible for conducting of all Animal Health regulatory, emergency and other service operations for the Western Shore region of Maryland. 
  • 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 owners, federal and practicing veterinarians, extension agents and others within the region 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. 
  • Chair of Animal Health Committee on Fairs and Shows, develops schedules, policies, and outreach objectives Acts as a liaison to various committees by participating with MDA Fair Board, MAAFS, MD State Fair, and MD racing commission. Ensures adequate coverage and inspections are performed at sanctioned events, including attending events and reviewing inspection documentation. 
  • Regionally, confirms or refutes suspicions of various diseases by performing federal and state mandated tests (avian influenza, infectious laryngotracheitis, scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, equine neurotherapies. Johne's disease, numerous foreign animal, zoonotic and diseases with bioterrorism potential), sample collection, or epidemiological investigations to assure Maryland's compliance with certain state-federal-industry cooperative disease eradication programs. 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. 
  • Directs regional inspection of livestock and poultry sales, exhibition, fairs, quarantine facilities, dealer inspections, and licensed auction markets by assignment and supervision of agriculture inspectors to assure operations are humane, sanitary and in compliance with regulations governing intrastate and interstate movement of animals. Delivers enforcement actions and operational schedule for above listed events. Reviews and archives supporting documents. 
  • Supervises Agricultural Inspectors by providing a monthly field calendar with in-office and out-of-office assignment of duties and training. 
Necropsy Services:
  • 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.       
  • Actively supports Necropsy workload on a weekly basis at the Frederick Animal Health Laboratory 
  • Routinely serves as Relief Laboratory Pathologist for Continuity of Operations at the Animal Health diagnostic labs in Salisbury or Frederick. Ensures rapid and accurate reporting of all diagnostic findings. particularly those of a time sensitive nature. Conducts necropsies of poultry and livestock, completes necropsy report findings, and notifies owner of preliminary, interim, and results verbally, in writing, or both, in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Statewide Coordinator for Equine, Bovine and Small Ruminant Programs:
  • Coordinator of the Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) program. Works closely with laboratories to ensure timely submission and proper reporting of test samples. Performs semi-annual quality assurance reviews of the Rigby quarantine facility. Provides fiscal oversight for the CEM program.
  • Performs quarterly review of materials submitted to funding agencies regarding data, testing, financials and work plans prior to submission to external agencies. 
  • Takes lead from initiation through completion on follow up diagnostics and communication regarding suspect Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Scrapie, Q fever, and other reportable livestock and equine cases.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

Experience: Three years of full-time post-doctoral 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 Microbiology or Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists or Veterinary Microbiologists 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 veterinary pathology, microbiology, or animal science, or a Master of Public Health for two years of the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute the possession of a PhD in Public Health for the required experience.

5. 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.

Type 1 or Type 2 USDA Accredited Veterinarian.

Avian or Livestock veterinary 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.

SELECTION PROCESS

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.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

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 all experience and education that is related to this position.

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.



Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here.
Apply via Paper Application. You may also download and complete the Paper Application here.

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