DIAGNOSTIC VETERINARIAN MANAGER - SES - 42001045

Requisition No: 791946 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: DIAGNOSTIC VETERINARIAN MANAGER - SES - 42001045

Position Number: 42001045 

Salary:  $55,590.25 - $85,000.24 

Posting Closing Date: 05/20/2023 

DIAGNOSTIC VETERINARIAN MANAGER-SES
 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
 

DIVISION OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY
 

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***
 

CONTACT:
 

Dr. Gizela Maldonado, 321-697-1408
 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
 

Eligibility for licensure as a Veterinarian by the State of Florida in accordance with Florida Statute 474, and a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in microbiology, bacteriology, virology, pathology or parasitology and three (3) years of professional veterinary experience in virology, bacteriology, parasitology, histopathology, clinical pathology or avian diseases; or
 

Eligibility for licensure as a Veterinarian by the State of Florida in accordance with Florida Statute 474, and a doctorate from an accredited college or university in microbiology, bacteriology, virology, pathology or parasitology and two (2) years of professional veterinary experience in virology, bacteriology, parasitology, histopathology, clinical pathology or avian diseases. 
 

Completion of two (2) years of specialized training (e.g., preceptorship, internship) in one of the disciplines of veterinary laboratory diagnostic medicine or advanced training in foreign animal disease diagnosis; or
 

Four (4) years of field diagnostic veterinary medicine or advanced training in Pathology can substitute for the master’s degree requirement.
 

Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.
 

Preference will be given to those with a American College of Veterinary Pathologists Diplomates designation, PhD and/or experience in Food Animal pathology.
 

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***
 

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:
 

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.
• Resumes and other documentation can be attached to provide additional information.
   

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values
and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
 

Incumbent must pass a pulmonary function test with medical evaluation, must undergo and pass regular respirator fit-testing, and must wear a respirator when required.  Will be subject to the requirements of the proper use of appropriate respirator.
 

Occasional travel required.
 

NOTES:
 

Successful applicants must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.
 

JOB DUTIES:
 

Responsible and accountable for managing budget/dollars/resources (staff, vehicles, computers, cell phones, etc.) of any assigned programs in an efficient and accountable manner.
 

Responsible for ensuring that assigned program areas have operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with division and department policies and procedures.
 

Functions as a Veterinary Laboratory Diagnostician that manages and provides diagnostic and consultative services to veterinary practitioners, animal owners and producers, and regulatory officials.  Undertakes gross anatomical pathology duties on a weekly rotational basis of a variety of animal species. Participates in the pathology case load by assisting with histopathology workload. Creates comprehensive reports incorporating histopathological findings.  Consults with in-house pathologists, professional laboratory staff, as well as National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) and university pathologists, to enhance diagnostic skills.  Maintains open lines of communication with clients and other agencies that use the laboratory as a resource.  Creates and maintains laboratory reports and assures that data generated from test results are conveyed accurately.  Provides rapid notification of reportable disease results to Pathology Department Head and Bureau Chief/Laboratory Director.  Maintains working knowledge of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and utilizes this tool for case coordination and reporting.
 

Incumbent serves as a Client Services Veterinarian for Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and is essential to assure the accurate and timely accessioning, test ordering and resulting, case reporting and client communications in support of animal industries and the overall mission of the Division of Animal Industry and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  Incumbent is responsible for assigned technical, managerial and fiscal operations for assigned areas of the laboratory.  Plans and supervises laboratory operations and procedures, including as necessary, the coordination of sample submission, transfer, and testing between the BADDL, other Florida agencies and their laboratories, contract state laboratories outside Florida, USDA Laboratories (NVSL and FADDL) and provide assistance to both state and USDA field and regulatory personnel, veterinary practitioners, animal producers, and other client submitters and information queries.  The Client Services Veterinarian duties are directly related to oversight for maintaining timely laboratory reporting and rapid response to client queries.  Incumbent will oversee and coordinate laboratory case accessioning, order entry, test resulting, and reporting to assure that laboratory clients receive their results in an accurate and timely manner.  This will be accomplished by full utilization of the laboratory information management system and by direct communication with:  the Bureau Chief/Laboratory Director; laboratory staff; Bureau of Animal Disease Control Program Managers and District Veterinary Medical Officers (VMOs); personnel from other local, state and federal agencies; and a variety of laboratory clients.    Reviews special cases with appropriate laboratory sections and suggests additional tests or client service avenues that may be indicated in order to obtain a more definitive case conclusion and client satisfaction.  Works with referring veterinarians on cases requiring special attention or expedited turn-around times.  Coordinates cases to ensure the successful completion of all tests requested and other tests that may be pertinent to a correct diagnosis.  Creates and implements a plan to promote BADDL through educational and outreach initiatives and client relationships.  Attends conferences and/or conventions to promote the services of the laboratory within the state.  Coordinates the quarterly BADDL newsletter and publishes the newsletter by the determined quarterly deadline.  Schedules routine visits in person or virtually with food animal veterinarians to discuss client improvement initiatives.
 

Responsible for completing special projects as assigned by the Bureau Chief/Laboratory Director and performs other duties as required which may include handling of revenue.  As required, provides weekend, holiday and after-hours emergency response service (except when on approved leave).  Serves as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the BADDL in coordination with the Shipping and Receiving Section Head.  Participates in Division emergency response initiatives, exercises, and response.  Coordinates annual preparedness drills and training for BADDL staff in the event of statewide detection of an animal disease of high consequence. 
 

Serves as head of the Necropsy section:
 

a)  Oversees the scheduling of pathologists necessary for the gross examination of carcasses, appropriate collection and distribution of samples for analysis to different sections of the laboratory, as well as to third party laboratories. 
 

b) Assumes responsibility of the direct supervision of the necropsy section assigned employees, and keeps professional, open channel communications with staff and supervisors.  
 

c) Maintains direct communication with the facilities manager to assure appropriate crematory and necropsy maintenance is performed by assigned staff.
 

d) Keeps up-to-date maintenance of equipment, tools, reagents, and supplies. Schedules routine cremation of carcass remains to minimize their retention in the walk-in cooler and follow appropriate standards to achieve a proper burn.  Schedules routine quality control checkups of the necropsy suite including walk-in cooler, freezers, storage room, record keeping areas, and overall facilities.    Prepares worksheets requesting supplies as needed.
 

In coordination with the Pathology Department’s Quality Assurance (QA) Coordinator and Bureau QA Manager, develops quality assurance procedures and ensures that appropriate quality control methods are followed and maintained.  Monitors and resolves sample quality issues and performs testing troubleshooting and problem solving.  Composes Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for necropsy procedures. The incumbent is required to participate in emergency planning and response exercises and/or preparedness for surge outbreaks of classic or foreign animal diseases.
 

Monitors inventory for supplies, equipment, and materials for supervised areas of operation.  Ensures adequate supply of time sensitive materials and monitors expiration dates.  Ensures that procurement orders are initiated in a timely manner to maintain adequate stock to prevent complete depletion.  Ensures equipment and facilities are maintained in an orderly fashion and operated according to proper procedures. Provides a variety of assigned written reports.  Maintains data and statistics for assigned areas in a contemporaneous fashion to ensure data is readily available when leadership requests are received.
 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
 

• Knowledge of veterinary pathology, animal diseases and animal husbandry practices of different species.
• Ability to identify gross and microscopic lesions in animal tissues, is preferred. 
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
   

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida
 

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck.  The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:
 

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!
   

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
 

SPECIAL NOTES:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.