Career Center

Veterinary Virologist

Employer: Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Ohio Department of Agriculture

Location: 8995 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

What You’ll Do:

The Ohio Department of Agriculture is seeking a self-motivated, passionate individual to lead the virology and molecular diagnostic sections of our Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) in the Division of Animal Health. The Veterinary Virologist position is a full-time, permanent leadership role with duties that include testing, research and development efforts. The ADDL is accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) and is a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) Level 1 laboratory. ADDL is the only full service, all species veterinary diagnostic laboratory in the state of Ohio.

The successful candidate is expected to lead a robust testing and research program in the Virology and Molecular Diagnostic sections at the ADDL. Responsibilities will include determining appropriate diagnostic testing and serving as veterinary epidemiological counsel in matters of regulatory findings, public health, and other disease problems. The successful candidate will also consult with pathologists, microbiologists, and other professionals to determine case diagnosis and implement protocols or refer to case materials for specialized diagnostic needs.

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 accomplish a lot! 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!

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. 

Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan. 
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance benefits through Delta Dental, EyeMed, and Securian Financial. 

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

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees with a 100% employer match and multiple plan types. Employees contribute 10% of salary towards retirement, and 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.

What You Need to Succeed:

Applicants must possess (or obtain upon hiring) a license to practice veterinary medicine in OHIO, an advanced graduate degree (Master’s and/or PhD), and two years veterinary diagnostic laboratory or relevant work experience. Applicant must maintain USDA accreditation for OH.

Applicants with a license to practice veterinary medicine, a Master’s degree and/or PhD in a relevant science-related field, Diplomate ACVM (or other ABVS specialization), and 5 years veterinary diagnostic laboratory or relevant work experience will be given preference.