<p>Introduction</p> <p>\n\nThe Maryland\nDepartment of Agriculture is a department under Maryland's Executive\nBranch.? Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the\nagriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves\nas a regulatory body for animal health, consumer services to include\nmarketing and lab services,?plant and pest\nmanagement and resource conservation.? As the number one industry in\nMaryland, the diversity of agriculture programs in the State continues to\nexpand and grow.\nMDA's Vision\nAchieving excellence in programs\nand?services that preserve and protect agricultural resources and the\nenvironment, promote profitable agriculture and consumer confidence, and\nenhance the quality of life for all Marylanders.\nThe?Animal Health Program prevents and controls infectious and\ncontagious diseases in Maryland livestock and poultry with particular emphasis\non those diseases that threaten public health, endanger food supplies or\nthreaten the economic security of the animal industries. \n?Join our Team and make a difference in preventing contagious and\ninfectious disease in Maryland livestock.\n\n</p> <p>GRADE</p> <p>18\n</p> <p>LOCATION OF POSITION</p> <p>MAICS, Animal Health, Frederick Animal Health\nLaboratory, 1840 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD 21702\n\nThis\nposition will be assigned 24-hour on-call status periodically and can be\ninvolved in emergency duty at any time, night, or day. Some weekend and evening\nduty is required during a disease outbreak or other assigned Agency activity.\nIt may involve occasional overnight travel in and out of state. This position\nis essential for the continuity of operations at FAHL and fulfilling the core\nfunctions and adjectives of MDA.\n\n</p> <p>Main Purpose of Job</p> <p>As Agriculture Laboratory Scientist III, this\nposition serves primarily to support the?Agency's mission to prevent and control\ninfectious diseases of livestock and poultry and to ensure consumer confidence\nby conducting the highest quality veterinary analytic and?diagnostic tests available in the assigned\nregional laboratory of the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA). This\nemployee has primary responsibility for technical and scientific testing in the\nmolecular diagnostic laboratory, as well as performing secondary duties related\nto the serology, microbiology and parasitology laboratory sections. This\nposition is considered an essential employee for continuity of operations\npurposes.\n</p> <p>POSITION DUTIES</p> <p>\nPerforms Laboratory Diagnostic Testing\nProcedures According to the Laboratory's Operating Procedures and ISO 17025\nStandards. \nSupports and participates in the laboratory\naccreditation process, follows ISO/IEC 17025 requirements and Laboratory\nQuality Manual systems, including initiating Corrective & Preventive Action\nReports and all required reporting and documentation in cooperation with the Quality\nManager and Quality Assurance Officer.\nHas a primary responsibility for all\ndiagnostic testing & reagent inventory in the Molecular Biology laboratory,\naccording to the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), NVSL (National\nVeterinary Services Laboratory), and Frederick Animal Health Laboratory (FAHL)\nStandard Operating Procedures (SOP). Disease testing in the Molecular Biology\nlaboratory will be dependent on training and passing proficiency testing.\nHas secondary responsibility in serology,\nmicrobiology, and parasitology laboratories when the workload is high, the lead\nscientist is absent, or to maintain proficiency. Disease testing in these laboratories\nwill be dependent on training and passing proficiency testing.? All diagnostic testing will be conducted\nusing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) and a biological safety\ncabinet (BSC) for samples containing unknown or known organisms that can cause infection\nin animals, poultry or humans. Follows all applicable safety, health,\nbiosafety, biosecurity, and personal protective equipment SOPs for all\nlaboratory activities.\nReviews and updates procedure manuals,\ntechnical manuals, SOPs, work instructions, and related journal materials for\nprimary and secondary assigned laboratory sections. Responsible for reviewing,\nreporting, and verifying test results in the Laboratory's Information\nManagement Systems (VADDS), Global Vet Link (GVL), or Veterinary Service\nProcesses Streamlining (VSPS) within the time frame specified by the\nlaboratory's Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs).? Completes all laboratory initial & annual\ntraining and annual proficiency testing. Proficiency testing verifies the\naccuracy and reliability of the testing completed in the laboratory and is an\nISO/IEC 17025 requirements.\nCompletes and maintains training for packing\nand shipping of Division 6.2 materials, including those classified as Category\nA (UN 2814/2900), Category B (UN 3373), as well as Exempt Animal Specimens.\nParticipates in the weekly packing and shipping rotation. ?Identifies and evaluates new procedures and\ntechnologies in published literature, making recommendations to the Laboratory\nSupervisor.\nManages update when an existing SOP/Work\nInstruction is updated or a new procedure is brought into the molecular biology\nlaboratory, ensures any new instruments or reagents are obtained & ready\nfor use, verified or validated, and that other laboratory scientists are\ntrained. Troubleshoots instrumentation within the molecular biology laboratory and\nmaintain instruments in working order.? Pursues\ncontinuing education to keep abreast of professional, scientific, and practical\naspects of ?microbiology/regulatory\nissues to maintain and improve laboratory skills to enhance job performance.\nPerforms special tests and surveys and\nparticipates in special projects.? Perform\ninspections to determine the suitability of test samples and report unsuitable\nsample issues to the Technical Manager. When delays in testing or testing\nanomalies occur, they are reported to the Technical Manager, and the next steps\nwill be evaluated.? Maintains a clean,\norganized workplace. Cleans and disinfects work area before leaving the room\nfor breaks, lunch, and at the end of the day.\nAccurately keeps records of worksheets and\ntest results, as ISO/IEC 17025, federal, and state regulations mandate. Quality\nStaff and other authorities periodically audit these records. Tracks inventory\nof laboratory supplies in the Molecular Biology stock supply areas, including\nfreezer reagent stock, as well as other main stock areas. Ensure stock numbers\ndo not fall below critical levels and submit supply orders with sufficient time\nprior to inventory exhaustion.\nBefore taking scheduled leave, notify the\nLaboratory Supervisor or backup scientists at least one day in advance about\nany pending work that needs to be completed during your absence. For student\ninterns, work-study students, and visiting scientists, the Laboratory\nSupervisor may ask to provide basic laboratory techniques, testing methods, and\nbiosafety laboratory procedures as assigned.\nAs the Agricultural Laboratory Scientist III,\nServes as the?Laboratory Equipment Manager.\nMaintains equipment inventory and related\nrecords in an organized manner according to ISO/IEC 17025, State, and\nlaboratory SOP requirements. Reports to the Technical Manager regarding\nequipment.? Leads equipment purchases\n& disposals, assuring they are performed & recorded according to\nISO/IEC 17025, State, and laboratory SOP requirements. For equipment purchases,\nassures technical specifications of the equipment meet relevant requirements,\nas well as available resources of the facility. Conducts prior coordination\nwith Frederick County maintenance if alterations or modifications to the facility\nare required.\nOrganizes validations or verifications of new\nequipment prior to being put into use. Works with the Technical Manager to\ndetermine the plan of action, works with the lead scientist of the\ncorresponding laboratory section to carry out the validation or verification.? Works with the Technical Manager and\nPurchasing Team to schedule calibrations and preventive maintenance, assuring\nthey are performed at the required level and on schedule.\nLeads equipment troubleshooting, taking\nequipment out-of-service when required. Works with the Lead Scientist to\ncontact technical support or other experts to determine the best course of\naction. Consults with the Technical Manager to determine the final plan of\naction.? Starts Corrective and Preventive\nAction Reports related to equipment malfunctions or other events as\nrequired.?\nSpecific duties are undetermined until\nassignment.\n\n</p> <p>MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS</p> <p>Experience:?Six years of experience, two years of experience\nperforming?laboratory analysis work in a biological, chemical,\nfood,?commercial, animal health, medical or public health\nlaboratory?and?an additional four years of experience?performing\nveterinary analytical, diagnostic, and?epidemiological laboratory testing\nwork.\nNotes:\n1. Candidates may substitute the possession\nof a Bachelor's degree in the biological or chemical sciences from\nan?accredited college or university including one course in general\nmicrobiology?and?two years of experience performing laboratory\nanalysis work in a biological,?chemical, food, commercial, animal health,\nmedical or public health laboratory for the required experience.\n2. Candidates may substitute the possession\nof a Master's degree in the chemical or biological sciences from an accredited\ncollege or university for five years of the required experience.\n3. Candidates may substitute the possession\nof a Doctorate?degree in the chemical or biological sciences from an\naccredited college or university for the required experience.\n4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed\nForces military service experience as a commissioned officer in natural\nresources management and biological science classification or natural resources\nmanagement and biological science specialty codes in the animal science field\nof work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.\n</p> <p>DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS</p> <p>Experience\nwith performing real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) including supportive\ntasks such as PCR reagent management.\nExperience\nwith other diagnostic testing such as microbiology (bacterial culture),\nserology (i.e., ELISA: enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, AGID: agar gel\nimmunodiffusion assay, etc.), or other diagnostic testing platforms.\nExperience\nserving as a leader in laboratory processes such as Equipment Program\nManagement.\nExperience\nwith the international standard for testing and calibration laboratories\n(ISO/IEC 17025) accreditation or other similar laboratory accreditation.\n</p> <p>LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION</p> <p>NOT APPLICABLE\n</p> <p>LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS</p> <p>NOT APPLICABLE\n</p> <p>SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS</p> <ol> <li>Candidates for some positions may be given\na medical examination to rule out color blindness.\n2. Employees in this classification must be\nwilling to undergo and maintain rabies immunization.\n </li></ol> <p>SELECTION PROCESS</p> <p>Applicants who meet the minimum (and\nselective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The\nevaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education,\ntraining, and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position.?Therefore,\nit is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your\napplication.??Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified,\nBetter Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the?eligible (employment)\nlist for at least one year.??The resulting certified eligible list\nfor this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State\nagencies.\nPlease report on all related education,\nexperience, dates, and hours of work.?Clearly indicate your college\ndegree, transcript, and major on your application, if applicable.?\nFor education obtained outside of the U.S.,\nyou will be required to provide proof of the equivalent American education as\ndetermined by a foreign credential evaluation service. If you possess a degree\nobtained outside of the United States, please submit a detailed,\ncourse-by-course evaluation report from one of the U.S. equivalences evaluating\nmembers identified at?http://www.naces.org/members.html.? Any job offer will be\ncontingent on the candidate providing an official evaluation for equivalency by\na foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may\nbe requested prior to interview).?\nComplete applications must be submitted by\nthe closing date.?Information submitted after this date will not be\nadded.? Incorrect application forms will not be accepted.?Resumes\nwill not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.??\n</p> <p>EXAMINATION PROCESS</p> <p>The assessment may consist\nof a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the\nrequirements of the position.?It is important that you provide complete\nand accurate information on your application.?Please report on all experience\nand education that is related to this position.\n</p> <p>BARGAINING UNIT STATUS</p> <p>G\n</p> <p>BENEFITS</p> <p>STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS\n</p> <p>FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS</p> <p>The online application process is?STRONGLY?preferred.\nIf you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application\nto:?Maryland Department of Agriculture, Human Resource Office - Room 304,\n50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD? 21401. All paper applications\nmust be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date, no exceptions.\n(Postmarks not accepted.) Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing\nthe online or paper application.\nIt is important that all experiences be fully\ndocumented. Failure to ANSWER ALL SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY AND\nACCURATELY may cause the candidate to be rejected.\nPLEASE FILL OUT THE APPLICATION COMPLETELY.\n??The application is part of the examination process. Your\nanswers will determine?your eligibility to participate in the next phase\nof the selection process.\n??Clearly describe your qualifications in detail. Credit\ncannot be given for education, training, experience, knowledge, skills, and\nabilities that you fail to indicate.\n??Do not leave any answer spaces blank; if a question does not\napply, write 'N/A'.\n??Although you may attach a resume to further describe your\nqualification, it does not substitute for completing the application form. An\nincomplete application form may result in disqualification. Do NOT write\n'see resume' in your work history or responses to supplemental\nquestions.\n??Failure to comply with these instructions may result in\ndisqualification.\n??Read the Job Announcement carefully for specific filing\ninstructions, supplemental questions, and final filing dates.?\nIf you are submitting additional information,\nsuch as diplomas or transcripts, the preferred method is to upload them online\nwith your application.? If you are unable to upload, you may mail,\nhand-deliver or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831).\nFor questions concerning this recruitment,\nplease contact: Stacey Summers 410-841-5840\nor?mda.humanresources@maryland.gov.? TTY Users: call via Maryland\nRelay.\nAs an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is\ncommitted to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective\nof the State's diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are\nencouraged to apply.?We thank our Veterans for their service to our\ncountry.\n</p>