One current vacancy with the Health & Human Services Agency located in Visalia. This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and future vacancies. The anticipated life of the list is six months.

Salary Range: $110,000 - $171,633 Annually

Performs high volume, high-quality spay/neuter surgeries of shelter animals, including dogs and cats in a fast-paced environment; diagnoses and treats diseases, illness, and injuries of shelter animals including dogs, cats, pocket pets, and occasionally farm animals; oversees all aspects of veterinary surgical care including physical examination, surgery, pre-and post-operative care, anesthetic administration and monitoring, emergency care, restraint and treatment following all SOPs as put forth by Tulare County; perform pre-surgery physical examination on all surgical candidates; diagnose and treatment of post-surgical medical complications of animals; attend staff, management, and other requested meetings. Obtain continuing education as required by Tulare County and licensing requirements; examines animals to determine nature of disease or injury and recommends course of treatment or euthanasia with the support of a team decision; test animals for disease and inoculates animals against rabies; reviews animal bites and exposure reports concerned with rabies and other diseases and directs follow-up procedures; evaluate condition and coordinate maintenance of surgical equipment and supplies; hold and maintain the Veterinary Premise Permit for Tulare County Animal Services shelter and clinic; oversee controlled substance procurement, storage, record keeping and administration as it relates to shelter animals; develop and confer with Management on sanitary measures, feeding, preventative medicine, and general care to promote health of shelter animals; research and prepare medical reports for guidance on request; provide veterinary expertise and document/testify as needed on animal abuse and neglect cases; participates in humane investigations, prepares written veterinary statements, and testifies in court as appropriate for animal welfare/cruelty cases; vaccinates and gives emergency treatment to impounded animals; regularly reviews medical condition of animals quarantined at the shelter; gives follow-up treatment to injured animals as necessary; directs care and feeding of exotic or unusual animals; assists with public health duties as needed to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in the shelter and in the community; supervises assistants and oversees the clinical care provided by Veterinary Technicians, Animal Care Specialists and Animal Care Technicians as needed; provides input on veterinary protocols; provides consultation and education to members of the public on regulations and medical aspects of animal care; assist with natural disasters and the care of animals; provide information to the public regarding laws, regulations and department policies when necessary; prepare various forms, routine correspondence and run reports; compose Health Certificates; utilize custom animal software; attend and assist in animal shelter related events such as vaccine clinics; perform related duties as assigned. Essential duties may be assigned that are not listed but are relative to this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.

Education and Experience:Graduation from an accredited school of veterinary medicine with a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine AND two (2) years of veterinary medical experience, one (1) year of which includes surgical experience in spaying and neutering.

Knowledge of:

Current veterinary principles, practices, and techniques relating to sick or injured animals; rabies control laws; veterinary forensics and animal cruelty laws; shelter practices and population medicine; United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations regarding health certificates and transport of animals; high volume, high-quality spay and neuter techniques; bacteriology, pathology, serology, and other veterinary laboratory procedures; principles of public health related to animal carried diseases; supervisory principles and practices

Skill/Ability to:

Perform high volume, high-quality spay and neuter surgeries in a fast-paced environment.; work a flexible schedule, including evening and weekend hours; demonstrate genuine concerns, compassion and caring for animals; diagnose and treat diseases among animals; apply animal care knowledge in a shelter setting; establish and enforce quarantine of animals; gather evidence in case of violation of rules and regulations; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; communicate in a manner that is both compassionate and informative when interacting with staff, clients and with the public; ability to address emotional situations with pet owners; maintain records and prepare reports; effectively supervise shelter staff as it relates to veterinary care or surgery; perform humane euthanasia; travel within and outside Tulare County for work related activities using County vehicle; work and communicate effectively with people of various educational and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles, and behaviors of both customers and co-workers; organize work, determine priorities, exercise good judgment, and complete multiple tasks with deadlines under stressful conditions; follow safe work practices; understand and follow oral and written instructions; communicate clearly and concisely in person and over the telephone.; write clearly to convey ideas in memos, emails, and correspondence using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.; effectively utilize specialized animal software; file and maintain accurate records; plan and complete assignments independently; exhibit humane and sympathetic treatment of animals; work in a loud environment while exposed to animals, animal fluids, waste and smells, and pharmaceuticals; remain standing for long periods of time; demonstrate hand and finger dexterity; ability to demonstrate team approach to the job by cooperating with others, offering to help others when needed, and consider larger organization or team goals; demonstrate willingness to adapt and remain calm in a constantly changing and stressful work environment; exhibit comfort in performing a high volume of spay/neuter surgeries on a daily basis; ability to handle, position and restrain live animals of both small and large animal species; ability to handle, position, lift, and move materials, equipment and supplies; retain and recall information.

License or Certificate: 

Possession of a current California State License to practice Veterinary Medicine. The required licenses MUST be current and unrestricted; a conditional, provisional, probationary or restricted license will NOT be accepted; possession of, or eligibility to obtain, a National Accreditation Number from the USDA; possession of and maintain DEA license for the procurement and use of controlled substances and clinic use; possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

Special Requirement:

Must be immunized against rabies and maintain immunity for the duration of employment.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

General geography of the nonincorporated areas of Tulare County.

Conditions of Employment:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. 
• Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. 
• An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. 
• Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act: This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan service or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER