AGRICULTURAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST III

16

Maryland Dept. of Agriculture 27722 Nanticoke Rd, Salisbury, Md 21801

This position serves primarily as a Laboratory Scientist performing diagnostic evaluation of biological materials in the areas of molecular biology, microbiology, parasitology and serology. Position supports consumer confidence and quality service, by performing the highest quality laboratory tests available to aid in diagnosis of animal disease.

Assists Laboratory Director and Technical Manager in planning, implementing and evaluating laboratory procedures.

Performs biological or chemical testing and analyses of body fluids, tissues, feces, and other biological samples from  primarily poultry but also mammalian livestock for the purpose of diagnosing and identifying animal diseases.

Works in developing and instructs other level laboratory Scientist in new testing platforms, such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Assay for Salmonella, Avian Influenza and others.

Implements agency policy for acceptance, rejection and appropriateness of test specimens for serological, microbiological and molecular diagnostic testing. Develops or adjusts standard operating procedures according to the Quality Manual. Recommends and implements new approaches or processes to improve laboratory protocols, methods, efficiency or capability.

Position may require periodic 24 hour on call status.

Education: A bachelor’s degree in the biological or chemical sciences from an accredited college or university including one course in general microbiology and one course in pathogenic, clinical or medical microbiology.

Experience: Two years of experience performing laboratory analysis work in a biological, chemical, food, commercial, animal health, medical or public health laboratory.

Notes:

1. Experience performing veterinary analytical, diagnostic, and epidemiological laboratory testing work may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Possession of a master’s degree in the chemical or biological sciences from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

3. Possession of a doctorate in the chemical or biological sciences from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in natural resources management and biological science classification or natural resources management and biological science specialty codes in the animal science field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.  

Experience working in accredited laboratory.

Experience in poultry diagnostics.

1. Candidates for some positions may be given a medical examination to rule out color blindness.

2. Employees must be willing to undergo and maintain rabies immunization.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application (and on separate pages, if necessary) 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 employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

The incumbent in this position is a member of a covered bargaining unit and will be required to pay a bi-weekly service fee to the exclusive representative of the bargaining unit.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application. Online applications are STRONGLY preferred; however, paper applications will be accepted from candidates who may not have internet access.  All paper applications must be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date, no exceptions. (Postmarks not accepted.)

If you are submitting additional information, such as 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 # 410-841-5846).

Mailing Address: Maryland Department of Agriculture, Human Resource Office Room 304, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD  21401. For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Shawnda Smith at 410-841-5926 or ShawndaE.Smith@maryland.Gov.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.