Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Director

The University School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU Vet Med) invites applications for the position of Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (LSU Diagnostics) Director. LSU Diagnostics is a premier, state-of-the-art veterinary diagnostic laboratory, accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), occupying a modern 60,000 square-foot facility at LSU Vet Med and providing broad expertise in anatomic pathology, endocrinology, toxicology, virology, bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics. LSU Diagnostics is a Level 1 member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. It is operated by 42 faculty and staff and runs more than 65,000 tests per year. The laboratory offers a comprehensive catalog of tests with more than 550 diagnostic services designed to assist veterinarians, animal owners, public officials and organizations in identifying, tracking and addressing animal and public health concerns.

Job Responsibilities: 

-45%- Organizational and Administrative Responsibilities: Provide organizational and administrative leadership to fulfill the missions of the LSU Diagnostics . Oversee the daily laboratory activities, including administrative and operational management of personnel, budgets, regulatory policy, and quality management systems as accordance with the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) accreditation standards. This includes equipment and facilities including a Biosafety Level 3 Facility. Ensure the protection of livestock, poultry, aquatic, wildlife, pet animal health, and public health in the State of Louisiana by contact and communication with appropriate local, state, and federal government agencies (e.g., Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Department of Public Health, USDA-APHIS VS, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]) in cases of disease outbreaks and diagnosis of positive reportable diseases. Maintain awareness of local, and federal animal and public health regulations and surveillance programs; coordinate with local and federal animal health organizations (NAHLN, USDA-APHIS, NPIP) during foreign animal disease outbreak investigations. Implement the goals and objectives outlined in the LSU Diagnostics Strategic plan. Coordinate negotiations, management, and administration of the CDC/Louisiana State Arbovirus Surveillance programs, Insecticide Resistance Testing Program, CWD testing and other disease surveillance programs in LSU Diagnostics . Quality Assurance and biosafety: The Director will be responsible for maintaining AAVLD accreditation and National Animal Health Laboratory Level 1 (NAHLN-1).

Ensure the Quality Manager and Quality Assurance Coordinator maintains AAVLD standards and NAHLN-1 requirements. Help coordinate, prepare, and respond to all lab inspections by external entities and maintain compliance with federal, regional, and state programs (USDA-NAHLN, FDA-Vet-LIRN, etc.). Participate in developing and preparing LSU Diagnostics protocols, reports, contracts, and other communications. Review and prepare the registration of the laboratory as required by the LSU Institutional Biological and Recombinant DNA Safety Committee (IBRDSC) and other certifications (e.g., CLIA). Develop and oversee LSU Diagnostics facilities, safety, and security programs.

-25%- Financial Management: Serve as the chief administrator and financial officer of the LSU Diagnostics, including the control of the budget and allocation of resources. Maintain awareness of current trends in academic and private clinical laboratories and oversee the development and implementation of a long-term business plan that allows for the strategic development, expansion, and financial sustainability of the LSU Diagnostics activities. Monitor market conditions to generate action plans to optimally position the LSU Diagnostics as the preferred provider of laboratory diagnostic services in the state and the region. Work closely with the LSU Vet Med Assistant Dean for Finance & Administrative Services to bring financial stability and growth to the laboratory.

-15%-- Customer Service and Departmental/University Service: Establish and maintain productive relationships with LSU Vet Med VTH clinicians, outside practicing veterinarians, animal owners, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and other agencies that are involved in livestock health or zoonotic diseases. Maintain effective communication with the heads of the Departments of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Pathobiological Sciences and Veterinary Teaching Hospital Director. Attend local veterinary and stakeholder meetings, organize LSU Diagnostics External Advisory Board Meetings, and review and react to client surveys.

-10%- USDA-APHIS, USDA-CSF Proficiency testing, CDC-LDHH, LA State Grant Programs) funding for LSU Diagnostics to maintain and expand current operations and facilities.

-5%- Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

DVM, VMD, BVSc, or equivalent and 7 years of experience OR Ph.D. in related field and 7 years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience may include regulatory/policy, industry, state/federal, finance, practice or quality management. 7 years of experience working in an Accredited Veterinary Diagnostic lab and experience in the development and validation of diagnostic assays and translational research in academia or industry, and at least 7 years of administrative experience including management of personnel and budgets, regulatory policy, and quality management systems, a broad knowledge of diagnostic laboratory disciplines, and evidence of strong communication, administrative, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Preferred Certifications/Licenses:

Board certification in pathology (American College of Veterinary Pathologists [ACVP]), microbiology (American College of Veterinary Microbiologists [ACVM]) or other relevant veterinary board certification or Ph.D. in molecular biology, bacteriology, virology, toxicology, comparative pathology, or related field. A PhD and/or board certification in a laboratory-related specialty are desirable, as is a demonstrated achievement in research, diagnostic medicine, and outreach. The Director reports to the Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine and serves on the Deans Cabinet.

Special and Physical Qualifications:

Safety and Security Sensitive Job - Safety and security-sensitive positions are defined as those positions where any form of substance abuse may affect University activities through unsafe work behavior/performance or error in judgment; or where substance abuse could jeopardize the safety and well-being of employees, other personnel, or the general public, or cause significant damage to University property. This includes positions requiring firearms, access to controlled substances, handling hazardous material, operating heavy equipment or machinery, etc. These positions are subject to drug screens per PS-67/FASOP HR-04.

Emergency Essential Personnel - This position may be required to report to campus in times of emergency and/or closure per PS-18.

Requires standing, sitting, walking, bending, reaching (above shoulder), reaching (below shoulder), vision (near sight), vision (far sight), climbing, crawling, twisting, pushing/pulling, grasping, squatting, and lifting less than 50 pounds.