Job Title Assistant Agency Director for Microbiology Agency Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Department College Station - Virology Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location College Station, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description Job Description Summary The Assistant Agency Director for Microbiology assists leadership in the executive operation of the agency including but not limited to budget, personnel, facilities, equipment, and services. The Assistant Agency Director proactively ensures that agency leadership is equipped with necessary facts, updates and information related to relevant operations and required decisions. This role uses independent judgment and discretion to address routine and complex administrative matters on behalf of the senior leadership. Responsibilities Sample Prep, Sample Cataloging: Is responsible for timely and accurate sample processing and preparation by section staff. Testing: Provides scientific oversight for daily diagnostic testing in Bacteriology, Serology, Virology, and Molecular Diagnostics Sections. Serves as the subject matter expert on a discipline(s), technique(s) or diagnostic methodology(ies). May help with performing or interpreting complex assays or techniques for routine and non-routine testing when needed. Works closely with Veterinary Services, Section Heads, Assistant Section Heads, and Veterinary Pathologists in the coordination and testing of multi-assigned cases. Resolves complex, confidential, or sensitive diagnostic case issues with clients, contracting agencies, and other TVMDL customers at all locations. Serves as an advisor on agency procedures, protocols, and veterinary diagnostics related to case coordination efforts. Data Entry, Interpretation, Results: May coordinate progress of high consequence cases. In coordination with Veterinary Diagnosticians, serves as Master Coordinator on selected cases as needed. Provides analysis and review of unexpected results or results of significance. Provides diagnostic interpretation to clients based on test results and clinical histories. Serves as the Case Coordinator for the College Station Virology Section and section point of contact for multi-assigned cases when appropriate. Reviews results from other sections, clarifies conflicting results and provides interpretation as necessary. Releases results to clients in a manner consistent with TVMDL's published turnaround times. Client Communication: Communicates with clients via phone and/or email. Solicits information to better assess the feasibility and need for potential testing. Offers recommendations on sample selection, test selection, collection, shipment, etc. Consults with TVMDL colleagues to provide a complete, holistic approach to case management for all clients when appropriate. May answer clinical questions from clients. Coordinates service agreements with clients as appropriate, communicate recommendations to agency leadership. Mitigates client complaints as appropriate. Represents TVMDL within relevant professional societies, and at scientific and industry meetings, promoting the overall national/ international reputation of the laboratory system. Provides leadership on issues related to diagnostic veterinary medicine to ensure the service needs of TVMDL's diverse clientele and stakeholders are being met. Interacts with industry, government, and community officials and stakeholders in the representation and development of strategic program initiatives. Meets with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that stated and implied goals are achieved, and appropriate follow-on actions are completed. Quality Assurance and Safety: Serves as document manager for all section quality assurance documents. Is responsible for aligning processes, when relevant, across agency locations. Is responsible for ensuring solutions to quality assurance and safety issues, including addressing corrective actions, preventative actions, and audit findings. Serves as a member of the Quality Assurance and/or Environmental Health and Safety Committees. Proactively identifies processes for improvement and ensures implementation. Leads efforts related to internal reviews and audits. Monitors and documents safety and quality assurance training as needed. Maintains training records for employees. SOPs, Procedures, Forms, Other Documentation: Supports quality assurance and safety efforts for Bacteriology, Serology, Virology, and Molecular Diagnostics Sections. Is responsible for ensuring compliance and conformance amongst all staff in supervised sections. Aligns processes, when relevant, across agency sections/disciplines and/or locations. Serves as document manager for SOPs, procedures, forms, workflows, and other quality assurance documents for both local and system level virology documents; ensures timely and accurate review; is responsible for the scientific accuracy and completeness of all quality assurance documents for the Virology section. Writes, reviews, and/or edits quality assurance documents when needed. Is responsible for the identification, resolution, and implementation of process improvement protocols. Research, Reference Materials, Development: Maintains awareness of scientific developments in diagnostic veterinary medicine; supports and applies current practices to diagnostic testing as appropriate. Engages in strategic review of new business opportunities which may include literature and market analysis. In collaboration with clients, TVMDL leadership and Section Heads, develops partnership for new development and business opportunities. May participate in development or improvement of assays to expand the Agency's testing portfolio or additional research efforts. Supplies, Stock, Inventory, and Equipment: Is responsible for and supports sections in the fiscal management of Virology Section expenses. Works closely with Finance staff and Virology Assistant Section Head to adhere to procurement and purchasing procedures. Approves purchases of supplies for the respective sections. Working with sections’ staff, ensures timely maintenance and repair of equipment. Identifies need for equipment, recommends maintenance agreements and vendors for long term viability of equipment. Administrative Roles: Ensures accurate and timely reporting to other state and federal entities for reportable diseases. Liaises with regulatory agencies at the local, state, and federal levels when appropriate. May interact with industry groups in the pursuit of improved relationships and collaboration. Testifies in legal and administrative proceedings on behalf of the agency, as requested. Interprets industry policies as well as state, national and international law as applicable. In collaboration with the Assistant Agency Director for Finance, establishes and manages the Virology Section budget. Monitors the Virology Section’s caseload, noting changes in workload. Proactively explores methods to increase revenue and decrease expenses when appropriate. Is responsible for proactively developing and implementing section policies and procedures. Leads and facilitates strategic planning efforts for Bacteriology, Serology, Virology, and Molecular Diagnostics Sections. Liaises with agency management on all projects, providing timely and relevant updates on section progress, challenges, opportunities, and needs. Represents the sections and/or agency on internal or external task forces, committees, and work groups as designated by agency management. Participates with other TVMDL leaders to ensure procedures are in accordance with the policies and plans of the Agency Director. Promotes an efficient, economical, and progressive organization. Finds and implements ways to eliminate or reduce significant barriers to productivity and improve business practices. Identifies functional areas where revisions may be necessary and recommends development of studies or concept plans to provide the necessary information for a final decision. Training and Mentorship: Provides mentorship to section heads and staff as appropriate. Is responsible for ensuring appropriate, adequate, timely and routine training amongst section staff, to include scientific, technical, managerial, and leadership competencies. Aids respective staff in developing and implementing trainings on agency-wide procedures and practices. Is responsible for ensuring proficiency testing of employees within supervised sections. Creates and administers testing and training in the quality management software program. Is responsible for ensuring all staff are adequately trained in the use of the quality assurance program and LIMS software. Is responsible for maintenance of training records for direct reports. Supervisory, Evaluation, and Employee Support: Provides select staff recruitment, hiring, evaluation, development, and termination in the Virology Section and for leadership positions in the Bacteriology, Serology and Molecular Diagnostics Sections. Leads, motivates, persuades, or educates persons or groups to adopt processes or take actions to advance the goals of the agency. Fosters a positive and proactive work environment that results in a commitment to excellence, strengthens the professional development of the staff, and is conducive to the production of high-quality output in support of the agency and its customers. Encourages and supports the recruitment, development, and retention of a high-quality workforce. Encourages effective management-employee relations through communications and recognition of employee performance. Recommends promotions, reclassifications, and salary actions for direct reports. Develops justification and maintains documentation for all personnel actions. Provides proactive, collaborative, and effective direct oversight and leadership to direct reports. Ensures employee actions are in compliance with Texas A&M System and TVMDL rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Creates an ethical, non-discriminatory, positive, and safe work environment. Proactively identifies and addresses personnel issues, manage conflict and respond to grievances. Investigates complaints or performance concerns. Identifies staff development and training needs and ensures training is obtained. Ensures new staff receive necessary orientation training. Communicates regular updates and share agency-wide strategic information with all staff reporting through chain of command. Serves as an advocate for employee issues with colleagues and agency management. Is responsible for assisting employees in preparation for opportunities for promotion. Determines appropriate and equitable distribution of work assignments to meet advertised turnaround times, quality assurance, safety and overall TVMDL objectives. Ensures employees provide high quality, consistent and positive customer service to laboratory clients and colleagues. Reviews and approves timesheets, leave requests and other personnel requests. Sets and approves staffing schedules to ensure adequate laboratory staff. Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperatively works with other agency leadership, ensuring the four laboratory locations function as one unit by promoting communication and interrelationships. Participates in TVMDL Information, Problems, and Solutions (TIPS) monthly meetings and disseminates relevant information to section staff. Fosters laboratory teamwork, cooperation, professional standards, and communication. Disseminates relevant information from Quality Assurance, Safety and other agency meetings, as appropriate, to sections’ staff and colleagues. Supervising other Managers: Is responsible for daily oversight of the laboratory operations in Bacteriology, Serology, and Molecular Diagnostics Sections in College Station, including budgetary matters, routine testing, test development, client communications, quality assurance, safety, and employee well-being. Is responsible for scientific accuracy, completeness, promptness, and generation of the associated laboratory results. Ensures workflow coordination as well as appropriate and timely personnel management. Directly manages and coordinates the efforts of Section Heads and direct reports. Ensures effective and appropriate management and leadership by subordinate supervisors. Provides coaching, training, and mentorship to support professional development for subordinate supervisors and the supervisor's employees. Is responsible for assisting supervisors in preparation for opportunities for promotion. Ensures effective supervision and leadership of Bacteriology, Serology and Molecular Diagnostics Section staff. Leads by example to ensure procedures and protocols are carried out in accordance with agency policies and SOPs. Selects, assigns duties, and directs performance of professional and technical laboratory personnel and section staff. Leads by example to ensure procedures and protocols are carried out in accordance with agency policies and SOPs. Other: Performs work with adherence to federal, state, Texas A&M University System, and TVMDL safety rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Performs work in such a way as to not expose others or self to hazards that are avoidable by reasonable and approved methods. Performs other job-related duties as required. Works in conjunction with Diagnostic Services and Marketing to actively promote new or modified tests, TVMDL services or other client-education topics by writing and/or editing copy, speaking at conferences or meetings, or participating in TVMDL-sponsored exhibit shows. As requested, assists/hosts/leads programs for 4-H students, career fairs, student tours, and other lab guests. Serves as an instructor for 4th year veterinary students in diagnostics rotation and/or food animal track rotations, collaborating with TVMDL veterinarians to educate students in best practices for formulating differential diagnoses, test selection, sample submission, and results interpretation. Position Details + This position is eligible for a partially remote work arrangement for up to 16 hours per week. The incumbent may may choose to participate in flex scheduling including work prior to 8 AM or after 5 PM. + TVMDL is located on the campus of Texas A&M University (TAMU). Parking permits are available from TAMU at the expense of the employee. + TVMDL is considered an essential component of the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) and remains operational for several “open holidays” in which overtime or compensatory time may be earned. + This position requires a pre-exposure rabies vaccination series; TVMDL will cover all costs. + All veterinarians employed at TVMDL are required to obtain either a full license or a special license from the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME). + TVMDL employees are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program administered by the US Department of Education. Qualifications Required Education and Experience + Bachelor’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience. + Six years of related experience in program management and development, personnel, and budget operations. + Veterinarian applicants must hold a veterinary license in Texas or be eligible to sit for the for Special Licensure examination. Preferred Education and Experience: + Board certification or eligibility to sit for examination from the American College of Veterinary Microbiology (ACVM). + DVM and PhD in a relevant veterinary microbiology discipline. + Seven (7) or more years of experience in routine veterinary diagnostic microbiology (virology, serology, bacteriology), scientific research, clinical, and experimental work. + Management and leadership experience in bacteriology, serology, virology, and molecular diagnostic laboratories. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: + Demonstrated effectiveness in leading individuals or teams. + Excellent verbal, written, and electronic communication skills. + Ability to effectively use personal computer to communicate and provide reports of activities. + Ability to effectively communicate with staff. + Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others. Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: + Knowledge of animal pathogens, pathogens’ biology and ecology, and zoonotic diseases. Knowledge of NAHLN-scope diseases, workflows, and procedures. + Thorough knowledge of concepts, practices, and standard laboratory procedures, including equipment use and handling, as well as quality and safety procedures in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Proficient and/or knowledgeable in molecular, virological, serological, and bacteriological techniques and methods. Proficient in operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment. Prior professional experience as a manager in a diagnostic laboratory. + Demonstrated success in assuming increasing responsibility. Experience leading teams to solve complex tasks. Ability to implement steps for error resolution or process improvements. All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.