This is the fifth of five levels in the Animal Care Series. 
 
This position is a public health and safety position involving the responsibility of the practitioner to protect the citizens of the community from the spread of rabies as well as maintain the health & well-being of the animals entering the Animal Services shelter.(The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Other duties may be assigned.)

• Oversee and monitor the health of shelter animals and provide veterinary expertise in accordance with professional training as well as Animal Services policies and procedures.
• Perform spay & neuter surgeries, health checks & evaluations on injured or harmed animals. May also advise on euthanasia decisions.
• Provide leadership, training, direction for medical care & surgical care of adoption animals and shelter animals. 
• Counsel current & potential pet owners about sanitary measures, feeding, and the importance of regular, routine veterinary care.
• Assist the Director in establishing and maintaining all health related protocols to maximize animal placement and minimize shelter diseases and euthanasia for adoptable and owned animals.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with staff, volunteers, citizens & area veterinarians in order to maintain a positive and professional image. 
• Participation in annual rabies clinics and other public relations activities.
• Ability to function as the sole Veterinarian on staff.
• Respond to questions from staff regarding injuries relating to animal cruelty and other investigations which may include receiving phone calls afterhours & on weekends.
• Provide professional documentation regarding the condition, health or status of animals in cruelty investigations or other investigations.
• Staying abreast on the latest technology & advancements in Veterinary field to ensure that we continue to provide quality care to the animals entering the shelter. 
• May be asked to provide guidance to kennel staff on cleaning, feeding & other methods in an effort to prevent the spread of disease.
• Responsible for ordering shelter medications as needed.
• Perform related work, as required and any other duties as deemed necessary by the Director. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position reports directly to the Director of Animal Services. Required to provide supervision to Animal Services employees when performing duties directly related to veterinary operations or tasks.EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Graduate of an accredited college or university with a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DMV), license to practice in the State of Louisiana and a minimum of 5 - 7 years of experience working with animals; or equivalent combination of education and experience to satisfy the minimum requirements for the position.
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Valid Driver's License as per State law or requirement.
License to Practice Veterinary Medicine in the State of Louisiana.
State and/or Federal Licenses or Permits to maintain, dispense, & prescribe drugs & medications.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

KNOWLEDGE

• Large & Small Animal Medicine
• Animal Nutrition Requirements
• Animal Behavior Assessment
• Anesthesia & Surgery Principles
• Scientific rules & methods to aid in solving problems.
• Trained in Animal Euthanasia
• Continue to build on current knowledge & expertise by attending trainings, reading literature, etc.

SKILLS

• Ability to read and interpret documents, write reports & correspondence.
• Ability to judge complex problems under high pressure situations.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful and volatile situations.
• Ability to diagnose and treat injured animals and provide preventative medical care.
• Ability to encourage others with positive interactions as well as a positive attitude.
• Ability to maintain the standard of ethics and professionalism as agreed to when the oath of Veterinary Medicine was taken.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• Positions in this class typically require: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. 
• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force
• Frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. 
• Incumbents may be subjected to fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, blood and other bodily fluids, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, extreme heat, animal bites, repugnant odors and sights inherent within a shelter environment, and possible exposure to diseases associated with animals, to include blood-borne pathogens. 
• The employee is frequently exposed to high, precarious places and extreme cold. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock, explosive materials, and vibration. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud.

UNIFORM
An employee in this position will be supplied with a uniform, provided by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. The employee is responsible for abiding by the Police Jury's Uniform Agreement. 
 
NOTE
The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.