Agricultural Laboratory Scientist III

Animal Health•Frederick, MD

23h•Onsite

About The Position

As Agriculture Laboratory Scientist III, this position serves primarily to support the Agency’s mission to prevent and control infectious diseases of livestock and poultry and to ensure consumer confidence by conducting the highest quality veterinary analytic and diagnostic tests available in the assigned regional laboratory of the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA). This employee has primary responsibility for technical and scientific testing in the molecular diagnostic laboratory, as well as performing secondary duties related to the serology, microbiology and parasitology laboratory sections. This position is considered an essential employee for continuity of operations purposes.

Requirements

Six years of experience, two years of experience performing laboratory analysis work in a biological, chemical, food, commercial, animal health, medical or public health laboratory and an additional four years of experience performing veterinary analytical, diagnostic, and epidemiological laboratory testing work.
Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree in the biological or chemical sciences from an accredited college or university including one course in general microbiology and two years of experience performing laboratory analysis work in a biological, chemical, food, commercial, animal health, medical or public health laboratory for the required experience.
Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree in the chemical or biological sciences from an accredited college or university for five years of the required experience.
Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate degree in the chemical or biological sciences from an accredited college or university for the required experience.
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience with performing real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) including supportive tasks such as PCR reagent management.
Experience with other diagnostic testing such as microbiology (bacterial culture), serology (i.e., ELISA: enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, AGID: agar gel immunodiffusion assay, etc.), or other diagnostic testing platforms.
Experience serving as a leader in laboratory processes such as Equipment Program Management.
Experience with the international standard for testing and calibration laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025) accreditation or other similar laboratory accreditation.

Responsibilities

Performs Laboratory Diagnostic Testing Procedures According to the Laboratory's Operating Procedures and ISO 17025 Standards.
Supports and participates in the laboratory accreditation process, follows ISO/IEC 17025 requirements and Laboratory Quality Manual systems, including initiating Corrective & Preventive Action Reports and all required reporting and documentation in cooperation with the Quality Manager and Quality Assurance Officer.
Has a primary responsibility for all diagnostic testing & reagent inventory in the Molecular Biology laboratory, according to the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), NVSL (National Veterinary Services Laboratory), and Frederick Animal Health Laboratory (FAHL) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
Has secondary responsibility in serology, microbiology, and parasitology laboratories when the workload is high, the lead scientist is absent, or to maintain proficiency.
Follows all applicable safety, health, biosafety, biosecurity, and personal protective equipment SOPs for all laboratory activities.
Reviews and updates procedure manuals, technical manuals, SOPs, work instructions, and related journal materials for primary and secondary assigned laboratory sections.
Responsible for reviewing, reporting, and verifying test results in the Laboratory's Information Management Systems (VADDS), Global Vet Link (GVL), or Veterinary Service Processes Streamlining (VSPS) within the time frame specified by the laboratory's Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs).
Completes all laboratory initial & annual training and annual proficiency testing.
Completes and maintains training for packing and shipping of Division 6.2 materials, including those classified as Category A (UN 2814/2900), Category B (UN 3373), as well as Exempt Animal Specimens. Participates in the weekly packing and shipping rotation.
Identifies and evaluates new procedures and technologies in published literature, making recommendations to the Laboratory Supervisor.
Manages update when an existing SOP/Work Instruction is updated or a new procedure is brought into the molecular biology laboratory, ensures any new instruments or reagents are obtained & ready for use, verified or validated, and that other laboratory scientists are trained.
Troubleshoots instrumentation within the molecular biology laboratory and maintain instruments in working order.
Pursues continuing education to keep abreast of professional, scientific, and practical aspects of microbiology/regulatory issues to maintain and improve laboratory skills to enhance job performance.
Performs special tests and surveys and participates in special projects.
Perform inspections to determine the suitability of test samples and report unsuitable sample issues to the Technical Manager.
Maintains a clean, organized workplace.
Accurately keeps records of worksheets and test results, as ISO/IEC 17025, federal, and state regulations mandate.
Tracks inventory of laboratory supplies in the Molecular Biology stock supply areas, including freezer reagent stock, as well as other main stock areas.
For student interns, work-study students, and visiting scientists, the Laboratory Supervisor may ask to provide basic laboratory techniques, testing methods, and biosafety laboratory procedures as assigned.
Serves as the Laboratory Equipment Manager.
Maintains equipment inventory and related records in an organized manner according to ISO/IEC 17025, State, and laboratory SOP requirements.
Leads equipment purchases & disposals, assuring they are performed & recorded according to ISO/IEC 17025, State, and laboratory SOP requirements.
Organizes validations or verifications of new equipment prior to being put into use.
Works with the Technical Manager and Purchasing Team to schedule calibrations and preventive maintenance, assuring they are performed at the required level and on schedule.
Leads equipment troubleshooting, taking equipment out-of-service when required.
Starts Corrective and Preventive Action Reports related to equipment malfunctions or other events as required.