Job Opportunity: Florida seeks Chief, Bureau of Diagnostic Laboratories
News Date November 20, 2007
CHIEF, BUREAU OF DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Division of Animal Industry
Position #42001041
Location: Kissimmee, Florida
Salary: $85,000.00 - $137,453.42
Closing Date: January 31, 2008
Contact: Ms. Leigh A. Humphreys (850) 410-0930
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking an outstanding, highly motivated individual to serve as Bureau Chief of our Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratories.
Bureau Overview: The Bureau of Diagnostic Laboratories along with the Bureau of Animal Disease Control make up the Division of Animal Industry within the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Bureau of Diagnostic Laboratories is dedicated to helping control the state's losses from animal diseases and parasites, reducing the threat of disease and poisoning common to animals and man, aiding in research, education, and diagnostic service in veterinary medicine, and in assisting in ensuring a nutritious and disease free source of animal derived food and products to consumers. The Laboratories' objectives are to provide accurate and prompt diagnostic service to veterinary practitioners, animal producers, companion animal owners, wild life conservationists, animal researchers, and state/federal regulatory officials. The Bureau of Diagnostic Laboratories is comprised of a staff of approximately 50 positions, including 10 doctoral level professional staff. Specialty areas include pathology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology, and toxicology with an emphasis on quality assurance. Florida laboratories are AAVLD accredited, work within the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and are in the process of completing phase two of a three phase construction and modernization effort which included a BSL 3 facility, completed in phase one.
Minimum Requirements: This position requires a high level of administrative and executive management capabilities and a candidate's experience must demonstrate the ability to perform at this level. This position requires a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine or a Ph.D. in one of the biological sciences; experience in administration and supervision in a diagnostic laboratory system; experience in budgeting and material and human resource management; and experience in effective oral and written communication to individuals/groups representing private industry or government.
Duties: Provide executive management leadership and overall direction to the Bureau of Diagnostic Laboratories and oversight of both its technical and administrative functions. Provide oversight of day-to-day operations of the Kissimmee Diagnostic Laboratory by daily consultation with the various members of the technical staff and review of completed laboratory test reports and overall operations of the Live Oak branch laboratory by telephonic and written communications. Review monthly laboratory test reports to detect shifts in each laboratory's testing workload. Provide oversight of technical and administrative planning and implementation for laboratory system including the development of new or improved diagnostic procedures and purchase of equipment. Maintain liaison relationship with professional counterparts in Federal and State Diagnostic Laboratories to track new diagnostic methods, laboratory issues or concerns and disease conditions in other areas of the country. Represent the Department at local, state, and national meetings with various laboratory and other animal health professions representing industry and government. Provide oversight and management of budget/dollars/resources (staff, vehicles, computers, cell phones, etc.) of assigned programs in an efficient and accountable manner. Ensure assigned program areas have operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with Division and Department policies and procedures.
The incumbent of this position is considered to have regulatory responsibilities and is subject to the provisions of Chapter 60M-2, Florida Administrative Code.
Special Note: The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority. Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.