NMDA Veterinary Lab Specialist Associate

NMSU Conference Services; New Mexico; On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Department of Agriculture houses the Veterinary Diagnostic Services at an NMDA facility (Albuquerque) and seeks a Veterinary Lab Specialist Associate. The role manages specimen accessioning, case records, and laboratory workflow to support animal health programs and diagnostic testing.

Responsibilities include maintaining LIMS records, coordinating shipments, and ensuring quality management and biosafety compliance across sections, while fostering strong relationships with

Qualifications

• High School diploma + 1 year of relevant experience required.
• Experience with laboratory documentation and QA processes is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate specimen accessioning, documentation, tracking, and chain-of-custody activities for veterinary diagnostic submissions.
• Maintain case information, testing documentation, and laboratory records within the LIMS.
• Coordinate specimen routing activities and referral laboratory submissions.
• Support laboratory workflow activities and operational continuity across veterinary diagnostic laboratory sections.
• Maintain laboratory inventories and operational resource documentation.
• Coordinate specimen shipment activities and required laboratory documentation.
• Maintain laboratory records in accordance with quality assurance and laboratory operational requirements.
• Prepare and distribute diagnostic information utilizing established laboratory procedures.
• Support Quality Management System requirements and laboratory quality activities.
• Maintain compliance with biosafety requirements, infection control standards, environmental safety practices, and laboratory operational procedures.
• Maintain effective working relationships with laboratory clientele, referral laboratories, regulatory agencies, and laboratory personnel.

Skills

Specimen accessioning

LIMS

Documentation

Quality management

Biosafety

Laboratory coordination

Education

High School diploma

Tools

LIMS

Job description

View favorites

• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Aug 28 2026 - 23:55 MDT

• 503736
• NMSU satellite location, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Aug 28 2026 - 23:55 MDT

Department Contact:

Cheryl Mason-Herrera, 575-646-7523, [e-mail]

Internal or External Search:

External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary:

As a full service veterinary diagnostic laboratory, VDS works closely with practicing veterinarians, livestock producers, animal owners, and state and federal agencies. Services provided include: necropsy, histopathology, pathology, bacteriology, serology/virology, molecular biology, and immunohistochemistry. As a laboratory, VDS administers all activities through a quality management system incorporating policies and protocols from NMDA and NMSU, in addition to those of the National Laboratory Animal Health Network (NAHLN) and ISO/IEC 17025.

Position Details

Position Title:

NMDA Veterinary Lab Specialist Associate

College/Division:

New Mexico Dept of Agriculture

Department:

181300-NMDA VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC SVC

Location:

NMSU satellite location

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Albuquerque

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:

Commensurate with qualifications.

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:

1.0

FLSA Status

Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement:

This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding:

Contingent upon funding

Standard Work Schedule:

Shift: Other Shift

If Not a Standard Work Schedule:

M-F, 0730-1630

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

The NMDA Veterinary Laboratory Specialist, Associate for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) performs specialized technical, operational, and laboratory coordination activities within a veterinary diagnostic laboratory environment supporting animal health programs, disease surveillance activities, regulatory diagnostic services, and accredited laboratory operations. This position serves as a key resource supporting specimen accessioning, laboratory information management activities, quality management processes, diagnostic workflow coordination, and laboratory operational continuity, all necessary to support Veterinary Diagnostic Services functions.

Responsibilities include safe handling, accessioning, tracking, documentation, and chain-of-custody management of animal diagnostic specimens, including biological materials such as blood, tissue, carcasses, and related veterinary diagnostic submissions, in accordance with established laboratory procedures, biosafety standards, and quality requirements. The position coordinates specimen routing activities, referral laboratory submissions, laboratory documentation processes, and laboratory information management functions to facilitate timely and accurate veterinary diagnostic testing services.

The position maintains laboratory records, case information, and testing documentation in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), supports the maintenance of laboratory inventories and operational resources, coordinates specimen shipment activities, and assists with the continuity of laboratory workflow across multiple diagnostic laboratory sections. Responsibilities include preparing and distributing diagnostic information, maintaining laboratory records, and supporting documentation activities necessary to meet quality assurance requirements and maintain accredited laboratory operations.

The Veterinary Laboratory Specialist, Associate incorporates Quality Management System requirements into daily laboratory functions and maintains compliance with biosafety requirements, infection control standards, environmental safety practices, specimen handling requirements, and laboratory operational procedures necessary to support accredited veterinary diagnostic laboratory operations. The position identifies workflow concerns and supports efficient laboratory operations through adherence to quality systems, established laboratory methodologies, and operational standards.

This position maintains effective working relationships with laboratory clientele, regulatory stakeholders, referral laboratories, and internal laboratory personnel while supporting diagnostic laboratory functions and Veterinary Diagnostic Services operational objectives.

• Coordinate specimen accessioning, documentation, tracking, and chain-of-custody activities for veterinary diagnostic submissions
• Maintain case information, testing documentation, and laboratory records within the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Coordinate specimen routing activities and referral laboratory submissions
• Support laboratory workflow activities and operational continuity across veterinary diagnostic laboratory sections
• Maintain laboratory inventories and operational resource documentation
• Coordinate specimen shipment activities and required laboratory documentation
• Maintain laboratory records in accordance with quality assurance and laboratory operational requirements
• Prepare and distribute diagnostic information utilizing established laboratory procedures
• Support Quality Management System requirements and laboratory quality activities
• Maintain compliance with biosafety requirements, infection control standards, environmental safety practices, and laboratory operational procedures
• Maintain effective working relationships with laboratory clientele, referral laboratories, regulatory agencies, and laboratory personnel

Qualifications

May perform other essential duties as assigned

Required Education And Experience

High School diploma + 1 years of relevant experience, or higher degree.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment:

Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort:

Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.

Lifting Requirements:

Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Risk:

Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.

Recruitment Summary

We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.

NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.

NMSU Global Campus

Since 1888, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives - and the lives of the people they love - through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.

NMSU Main Campus

Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.

Doña Ana Community College

Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance.

Alamogordo Campus

Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated "on the hill" above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.

Grants Campus

NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

EEO Statement

New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Requesting an Accommodation

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and New Mexico State University policy, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply, interview, or complete onboarding for a position with New Mexico State University, or if you cannot use the online application system, please visit our Accessibility & Accommodations page to initiate an accommodation request