Position Summary: To direct and manage a multi-program division for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (veterinary diagnostic laboratory) that has major and direct statewide significance and impact upon agency mission. Agency programs are constitutionally bound by the State of New Mexico and through state statute to promulgate and enforce rules related to specific program areas. Works under minimal supervision and reports directly to the Director/Secretary or Deputy Director/Secretary.
Position Standard Duties: The Division Director administers resource and operational activities to ensure delivery of services or products to citizens and industry. The Division Director works closely with the agency director/secretary to establish overall departmental policy, goals, and priorities. The Division Director has extensive latitude for use of independent judgment and initiative. Assigned objectives are broadly defined by statute, grant, and agency mission; routinely interacts with other state, federal, local, tribal counterparts. Requires legislative interaction, initiating, reviewing, and drafting legislation; informing and advising board/committee members and constituents; serves as department representative on assigned issues. Objectives managed have an extensive relationship to the agency mission and require direct accountability, including implementation of strategic direction, budgeting, and assessment. Provide information and interpretation of diagnostic tests and results for submitting clients and veterinarians. Maintain effective liaison with state and federal animal regulatory agencies, in addition to producer groups and veterinary associations within New Mexico and the Southwest. Provide timely information on pertinent animal disease issues to the Director/Secretary and Deputy Director/Secretary. Supervise and evaluate veterinary laboratory personnel. Perform related work as required and other duties as assigned.
Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education: Doctorate degree in a related field. Required Experience: Eight (8) years of increasingly progressive management experience in one or more areas that report to this position.; Equivalency: None; Required Certification/License
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE: Knowledge of university and department policies and procedures; local, state, and federal laws, and regulations; agricultural and livestock sector in New Mexico and the United States; regulated industries; specialized knowledge of state government; principles and practices of public administration and fiscal and operational management; livestock diseases and management principles of various food animal producers in New Mexico and the desert Southwest; Good Laboratory Practices; development of standard operating procedures; World Organization of Animal Health (OIE), American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), and ISO17025 QA/QC recommendations and procedures; overall management needs and requirements of a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory and its inherent sub-disciplines (i.e., serology, virology, microbiology, histology, molecular diagnostics, necropsy, pathology, cytology, etc.).; SKILLS: Skill in short- and long-range planning and implementation; problem analysis and resolution; evaluating alternatives in decision-making; effective leadership and communication skills; experience and expertise in a veterinary laboratory discipline (i.e., pathology, microbiology, toxicology, molecular diagnostics, etc.); advanced computer usage.; ABILITIES: Ability to select, direct, evaluate, train, and supervise the work of personnel; communicate effectively in written and oral form including public presentations; maintain accurate records; develop and maintain effective relationships; use independent judgment and initiative; take corrective planning action to maintain strategic course of agency mission; oversee various veterinary laboratory sections and participate in analysis and problem solving with section chiefs in their respective sub-disciplines (i.e., serology, virology, microbiology, histology, molecular diagnostics, necropsy, pathology, cytology, etc.)
Job Duties and Responsibilities
As a full service veterinary diagnostic laboratory, VDS works closely with practicing veterinarians, livestock producers, animal owners, and state and federal agencies. Services provided include necropsy, histopathology, pathology, bacteriology, serology/virology, molecular biology, and immunohistochemistry. As a laboratory, VDS administers all activities through a quality management system incorporating policies and protocols from NMDA and NMSU. In addition to those of the National Laboratory Animal Health Network (NAHLN) and ISO/IEC 17025:2017.