Competitive salary: $96,325 - $126,277 Based on Qualifications

Who We Are:

ODA helps Ohioans in many ways including: supporting agriculture, protecting consumers, safeguarding plants and animals, and conserving natural resources. As a cabinet-level agency, we answer to the Governor, and we get a lot of stuff done! Ohio’s food and agriculture industry is huge, contributing $124 billion to the economy and employing one in eight people. This success starts on the farm, but these aren’t your great grandpa’s farms! They may have started way back when, but many of Ohio’s more than 70,000 farms are modern, state-of-the-art operations that use technology to maximize production to feed our growing population.

ODA is located in Reynoldsburg on a beautiful, 158-acre campus. Parking is free and so are the amazing connections you will make with professionals who are known as the best in their field.

What We Do:

At ODA, we do a lot that helps a lot of people. That’s a pretty big deal! We make sure the meat and food you eat and the milk you drink is safe. We protect farmland and conserve our soil and water resources. We keep Ohio’s plants, crops, and livestock free of pests and disease. We house the state’s top food safety lab and serve as a hub for a statewide lab safety system. We make sure you get what you pay for through ensuring accurate weights and measures standards. We oversee Ohio’s fairs and make sure the amusement rides you love are safe. As a member of ODA’s family, you’ll be working with a team of the highest caliber, doing work that makes a difference to all Ohioans.

The Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) provides regulatory testing support for disease control programs and full diagnostic laboratory services for veterinarians, livestock producers, and agribusinesses within and beyond Ohio. The ADDL is one of 42 laboratories in the U.S. and the only in the state of Ohio to be accredited by the AAVLD. The lab also has ISO 17025 accreditation for select tests. The ADDL provides nationally recognized expertise and is designated as a Level 1 lab by USDA NAHLN and provides capacity and capabilities for diagnostic testing to respond to emerging and emergency animal disease situations at the state, regional, and national level. In 2018, the ADDL was approved by USDA to test for African Swine Fever and was selected by USDA to participate in a passive surveillance program.

Why Join Us:

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a comprehensive benefits package that emphasizes work-life-balance and excellence in public service. We provide quality medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, pension and supplemental retirement plans, paid time off, and annual professional educational development benefits. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website!

What You’ll Do:

Join our team and devote your skills to a greater purpose! This position is responsible for:

• For the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) administers and has a genuine role in leading a comprehensive veterinary diagnostic pathology program for ADDL
• Manages and directs pathology section operation and supervises assigned pathology staff (e.g. coordinates test procedures and directs technical staff in pathology section for completion of duties; suggests and outlines changes affecting section or laboratory policies and procedures for improvement of diagnostic services, laboratory efficiency, public relations)
• Adheres to specific guidelines/regulations concerning animal disease regulatory programs and disease reporting
• Performs diagnostic service in the veterinary pathology section (e.g. obtain case histories from animal owners and veterinarians for diagnostic evaluation, conducts necropsy and biopsy examinations, determines appropriate routing and specialize adjunct laboratory/diagnostic test procedures necessary to establish a case diagnosis and selects/collects appropriate specimens, performs microscopic examinations of tissues/specimens)
• Conducts literature reviews and consultations with other professionals
• Implements and maintains quality assurance program according to American Association of Veterinarian Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) Diagnostic Lab accreditation standards
• Trains staff & oversees proper use of laboratory technology, processes & procedures
• Advises laboratory management of personnel, equipment, & budgetary needs within Pathology

How To Apply:

Interested individuals should apply and include a letter of application with a statement of career goals and intent, curriculum vitae, and names and contact information for three professional references.

Applications will be reviewed upon submission. Informal inquiries are welcome and can be directed to:
Melanie Koscielny - Melanie.Prarat@agri.ohio.gov
OR
Dr. Dennis Summers - Dennis.Summers@agri.ohio.gov

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

ODA values its internal diversity and pledges to cultivate an inclusive and engaging environment for all employees where differences are embraced and celebrated. The agency commits to building a workforce that champions the advancement of DEI principles and initiatives. The values on which these efforts are founded are: respect, empathy, transparency, equality, and equal access.

What’s in it for you:

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan. 

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums are free after completed eligibility period. Length of eligibility period is dependent on union representation.

Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave 
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave

Employee Development Funds

• The State of Ohio offers a variety of educational and professional development funding that varies based on whether you are a union-exempt employee or a union-represented employee.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees.  The employee contributes 10% of his/her salary towards his/her retirement.  The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary.  Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

Maternity Benefits

• Expanded maternity health care benefits available to state employees enrolled in the Ohio Med PPO and Ohio Med NN (narrow network) medical plan options. Several prenatal, childbirth, and post-childbirth services are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to employees utilizing network providers.
• Examples of services now covered by network providers at 100% include:
  • Prenatal care, including physician visits and examinations.
  • Home health care services designated as maternity care (for expectant members on bed rest).
  • Inpatient claims for all types of delivery.
  • Inpatient NICU claims, from birth through discharge.
  • Postpartum care, including office visits for follow-up, and procedures/treatments directly related to maternity.
• Medications prescribed for both antepartum and postpartum conditions (e.g., morning sickness, postpartum depression). Medical services provided by non-network providers will be processed at the applicable coinsurance, deductible, and out-of-pocket limits.
• Prescription drugs that are directly related to maternity care are covered with no copay. The State of Ohio has collaborated with the prescription drug third-party administrator (OptumRx) to provide a list of covered medications that can be approved for zero copay via prior authorization from providers.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

License to practice veterinary medicine issued by Ohio Veterinary Medical Board or eligibility for a license to practice veterinary medicine or possession of out-of-state license to practice veterinary medicine as issued by another state
AND
Eligibility for accreditation under CFR, Title 9, Part 161 issued by United States Department of Agriculture (i.e., U.S.D.A.)
AND
Completion of graduate program in veterinary pathology; under supervision of board certified specialist from an accredited college of veterinary medicine &/or board certification in appropriate specialty
AND
5 years training or 5 years experience working in veterinary diagnostic laboratory
AND
2 years experience in supervisory principles & techniques
AND
6 months experience with OIE (Office of International Epizooties) quality standards for veterinary laboratories (e.g., Infectious Diseases).

OR

License to practice veterinary medicine issued by Ohio Veterinary Medical Board
AND
Accreditation under CFR, Title 9, Part 161 issued by U.S.D.A.
AND
Completion of graduate program in veterinary pathology from A.V.M.A. accredited college of veterinary medicine
AND
Eligibility status for board certification in veterinary pathology from A.C.V.P.
AND
5 years training or 5 years experience working in veterinary diagnostic laboratory
AND
2 years experience in supervisory principles & techniques
AND
6 months experience with OIE (Office of International Epizooties) quality standards for veterinary laboratories (e.g., Infectious Diseases)

OR

Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above

About Ohio Department of Agriculture

Who We Are: ODA helps Ohioans in many ways including: supporting agriculture, protecting consumers, safeguarding plants and animals, and conserving natural resources. As a cabinet-level agency, we answer to the Governor, and we get a lot of stuff done! Ohio’s food and agriculture industry is huge, contributing $124 billion to the economy and employing one in eight people. This success starts on the farm, but these aren’t your great grandpa’s farms! They may have started way back when, but many of Ohio’s more than 70,000 farms are modern, state-of-the-art operations that use technology to maximize production to feed our growing population. ODA is located in Reynoldsburg on a beautiful, 158-acre campus. Parking is free and so are the amazing connections you will make with professionals who are known as the best in their field. What We Do: At ODA, we do a lot that helps a lot of people. That’s a pretty big deal! We make sure the meat and food you eat and the milk you drink is safe. We protect farmland and conserve our soil and water resources. We keep Ohio’s plants, crops, and livestock free of pests and disease. We house the state’s top food safety lab and serve as a hub for a... statewide lab safety system. We make sure you get what you pay for through ensuring accurate weights and measures standards. We oversee Ohio’s fairs and make sure the amusement rides you love are safe. As a member of ODA’s family, you’ll be working with a team of the highest caliber, doing work that makes a difference to all Ohioans.

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Connections working at Ohio Department of Agriculture