Maryland Department of Agriculture

I.          NATURE OF WORK:

This is professional veterinary work as a proficient veterinary epidemiologist.  This employee is responsible for planning, developing and implementing, at the city or county level, a program of preventive medicine in the area of veterinary public health.

An employee in this class provides consultative services to local governmental officials, veterinarians and health organizations in the general field of animal-related problems.  As an experienced medical epidemiologist, this employee cooperates with Federal and State Departments of Agriculture and other agencies on various veterinary medical programs and conducts professional investigations of animal diseases which are transmissible and pathogenic to man.  Assistance in the formulation of regulations for the administration and enforcement of laws pertaining to the control of animal diseases and animal related complaints would be provided by this employee.

The employee works under the administrative direction of the Chief of Veterinary  Medicine and may receive instructions and guidance from a Regional Veterinary Epidemiologist.  Work effectiveness is evaluated through observation, staff meetings and/or reports in terms of achievement of programs goals.  This employee may be required to provide advice and guidance to other employees.

II.         EXAMPLES OF WORK:  (Examples are illustrative only)

Assists the Chief of Veterinary Medicine plan, develop and implement for one or more counties or Baltimore City a program of preventive medicine in the area of veterinary public health;

Conducts epidemiologic investigation into human disease of animal origin;

Assists in the development of methods for the control and prevention of animal diseases transmissible to man in the formulation and interpretation of regulations for the administration and enforcement of laws pertaining to such diseases;

Cooperates with local veterinarians, physicians, public health authorities and government officials concerning veterinary programs and serves as a consultant to staff working on these programs;

Cooperates with State and Federal Departments of Agriculture, State veterinarians, professional organizations, livestock and agriculture organizations and public groups in the administration of laws and regulations pertaining to the prevention of disease of public health importance;

Represents the Chief of Veterinary Medicine, the Regional Public Health Veterinarian and the local health officer in local public health matters pertaining to veterinary medicine;

Prepares information and makes presentation to professional and civic groups via various media;

Makes post-mortem examination for disease identification; participates in immunization and other Department sanctioned professional activities;

Performs other necessary duties as required.

III.       REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Working knowledge of the basic principals and practices of veterinary medicine with particular reference to communicable diseases of animals which are transmissible and pathogenic to man.

Elementary knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations relating to livestock disease control and communicable disease control in man.

Ability to implement the policies of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene so as to ensure a comprehensive and uniform veterinary public health program at the local level; to conduct research program in diseases common to animals and man; to work with and secure the cooperation of professional and lay personnel; to interpret Federal, State and local laws relating to animal disease control; to review and prepare specialized reports of veterinary activities; to skillfully use related laboratory equipment, methods and techniques.

IV.       MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

Possession of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or a Veterinary Medical Doctor’s degree from a college or university accredited or recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association, and possession of a Masters degree in Public Health from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

Two years experience in the field of veterinary public health at the Federal, State or local level.

Notes:

1.  Applicants may substitute experience gained from the practice of clinical veterinary medicine at the rate of two years of clinical veterinary medicine for only one year of experience in veterinary public health.

2.  Applicants may substitute a Ph.D. degree in Public Health from an accredited college or university for only one year of the required veterinary public health experience.

V.        LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATES:

1.  Applicants must be accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture and registered with the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

2.  Applicants must be licensed and currently registered with the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.  A photocopy of current registration must be attached to application.

3.  Applicants who are eligible for a Maryland License on the basis reciprocity or endorsement will be admitted to the State Merit System Examination if a copy of a current letter of eligibility from the Maryland Licensing Board is attached to the application.  Permanent employment is conditional upon passing Maryland’s licensing examination.

DATE REVISED:                  August 21, 1974

DATE REFORMATTED:  December 1, 2003

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.  

APPROVED:  ___________________________________

                          Director, Division of Salary Administration

                             and Position Classification