Description

Under limited direction, the Veterinarian is responsible for all medical treatments and surgical services performed at the City’s Animal Care Services shelter; provides medical care and treatment of impounded animals; trains and oversees the work of non-professional staff who assist with animal health or euthanasia procedures; represents the City on the care and treatment of animals and pets.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a single position management classification in the Animal Services Division of the General Services Department. The Veterinarian classification is distinguished from the Animal Care Services Manager, in that the latter has significant authority for various administrative and managerial operations within the Animal Care Services division, and is not responsible to possess specialized knowledge in order to examine, diagnose, and prescribe medical or surgical treatment for any ill or injured animals at the shelter.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Limited direction is received from the Animal Care Services Manager. Responsibilities include direct and indirect supervision of supervisory, technical, and support personnel. Responsibilities include direct supervision over Registered Veterinarian Technicians and indirect supervision of Animal Care Technicians. 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Examine, diagnose, and perform routine and emergency medical treatment of all impounded animals; vaccinate animals against Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, Upper Respiratory Infection, and other diseases common to canines, felines, and other animals commonly found in shelters; perform spay/neutering surgery on animals prior to adoption; examine animals prior to adoption and before release to ensure health condition.
- Regularly review medical condition of animals quarantined at the animal shelter; provide follow-up treatment to injured animals as necessary; perform euthanasia of designated animals.
- Provide ongoing training for staff throughout the division to rapidly identify animals requiring isolation or veterinary care; train and supervise non-professional staff performing or assisting with veterinary duties or medical procedures.
- Recommend and draft policies and guidelines for the animal health program for the animal shelter, as assigned; develop protocols for handling ill and injured animals in the shelter.
- Supervise the visual monitoring on a daily basis of impounded animals, including those that may be isolated or quarantined for signs of illness or unusual behavior; assure that problems are promptly reported; determine and direct appropriate action as required.
- Supervise the use of immobilization capture drugs; oversee use of drugs used for euthanasia; oversee the ordering and maintaining of supplies and equipment.
- Review animal bites and exposure reports concerned with rabies and other diseases; contact citizens and officers involved and direct follow-up procedures; may assist field officers with cruelty investigations or rescues where medical intervention is necessary.
- Respond to inquiries from the public; maintain effective community relations; participate in special community events; advise/explain proper medical care and treatment of animals and pets; perform studies; prepare reports and maintain records; prepare press releases and respond to inquiries from the press.
- Assign, train, direct, and evaluate staff; provide professional and technical guidance to staff; oversee and implement disciplinary actions as necessary.
- Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

- Surgical procedures for spaying and neutering canines, felines, and other common shelter animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.
- Shelter medicine and best practices.
- Standard guidelines of the veterinary professional that are used in the State of California.
- Knowledge of modern techniques for treating various animals for common diseases and injuries.
- Laws, codes, regulations and policies affecting the department’s operations and programs.
- Quality assurance procedures and techniques.
- Training principles, practices and techniques.
- Principles and practices of leadership and conflict resolution.

Skill in:

- Addressing community groups, panels and/or commissions.
- Using computers and computer applications and software.

Ability to:

- Decide whether to perform surgery based on the animals’ health status.
- Understand, interpret and apply pertinent provisions of county, state and federal laws, rules, regulations and standards that affect the operation and administration of the shelter.
- Effectively provide training and instruction to non-professional staff personnel on a variety of medical techniques common to animal care.
- Analyze program needs and develop, recommend and implement operational procedures, policies and protocols.
- Analyze situations and take appropriate action; reach sound conclusions.
- Surgically alter with RVT support a minimum of 14 animals within a 4 hours block of time.
- Establish and maintain cooperative relations and deal effectively and tactfully with citizens and staff.
- Prepare clear, complete and technically accurate reports.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Two years of recent experience in veterinary medicine. Supervision of staff, program responsibility, and previous experience in animal shelter medicine are highly desirable.

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

PROOF OF EDUCATION
Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.
An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

License:

A current license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of California.

PROOF OF CERTIFICATION

Proof of the required certificate and/or license should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

Additional Requirement:

Incumbents in this class may need to work weekends, holidays, nights, and respond to emergency animal services assignments during off duty hours.