Description

Are you passionate about improving the lives of animals and families? Do you have experience in a bustling municipal shelter or a non-profit organization dedicated to animal welfare? We’re looking for a compassionate, dedicated Vet who thrives in a dynamic environment and is excited to be a vital part of a foster-centric shelter dedicated to transforming animal care.

In this rewarding role, you’ll provide top-tier veterinary services, including medical treatments and spay/neuter surgeries, ensuring our shelter animals receive the compassionate care they deserve. You’ll play a leadership role by guiding and mentoring shelter staff, volunteers, and community members, sharing your expertise to promote best practices in animal health and welfare.

This position offers the opportunity to work under limited supervision, overseeing the medical well-being of animals housed in our shelter and foster homes. You’ll also be a passionate advocate for animal welfare, representing the City’s commitment to compassionate care and community education.

If you possess excellent interpersonal skills, thrive under pressure, and are excited about a foster-centric approach to sheltering that saves lives and builds stronger community bonds, we want to hear from you!

Depending on experience, the starting salary can be anywhere on the salary schedule.  

Requirements

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 the 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 the 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.

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 the 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.