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 continues to expand and grow.
MDA's Vision
Achieving excellence in programs and services that preserve and protect agricultural resources and the environment, promote profitable agriculture and consumer confidence, and enhance the quality of life for all Marylanders.
MDA's Mission
Providing leadership and support to agriculture and the citizens of Maryland by conducting regulatory, service, and educational activities that assure consumer confidence, protect the environment, and promote agriculture.
The 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.
Join our Team and make a difference in preventing contagious and infectious disease in Maryland livestock.
MAICS, Salisbury Animal Health Lab
27722 Nanticoke Road, Salisbury, MD 21801
Employee may be required to work outside usual daytime hours and be available for on-call assignments. The work can involve periodic emergency duty any time, night or day. Employee is designated as essential personnel under Maryland State Foreign Animal and Emergency Disease Response Plan. Some weekend and evening duty may be required.
The main purpose of this position is to manage the resources and activities of the Salisbury Animal Health Laboratory necropsy area and provide pathology services (perform necropsies and interpret test reports) for domestic animals, primarily livestock and poultry, in order to provide accurate and timely diagnostic services and guidance to farmers, private and public animal health professionals. The 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. This position also serves as the MDA Animal Health Laboratory liaison to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Veterinary Medicine (UMES). This position is considered an essential employee for continuity of operations purposes.
Necropsy Director – Salisbury Animal Health Lab (SAHL)
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. Actively directs and oversees professional and technical activities of the 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 veterinarians. Directs and oversee administrative and clerical activities of the necropsy areas 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.
MDA/UMES Vet School Liaison
Serves as the MDA AH Laboratory Liaison with the UMES School of Veterinary Medicine. Coordinates with vet school administration and faculty. Assists in the development of pathology curriculum and rotation. Serves as mentor for candidates for veterinary pathology board certification, junior veterinary pathologists, veterinary college externs, and pre-veterinary students.
Diagnostic Services Program- Salisbury Animal Health Lab
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.
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 also include performing job functions at other sites across the state as needed and directed by the State Veterinarian.
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 or its equivalent.
Experience: Four 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 veterinary 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 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 three years of the required specialized 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 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.
Current Board-Certified Veterinary Pathologist
Current Board-Certification status
Specialty Board-Certified Veterinary Pathologist
Experience in interacting with State and Federal government agencies regarding regulatory diseases
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.
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 [email protected]. 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.
