Salary : $111,092.00 - $171,633.00 Annually
Location : Visalia, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 24-038202
Department: Health and Human Services Agency
Opening Date: 03/23/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
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
May be appointed within the salary range; appointment is At-Will
Typical Duties
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.
Employment Standards
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.
Additional Information
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:
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Bargaining Unit 20
The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.
Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).
Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).
Retirement : The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.
Paid Holiday Leave : 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.
Vacation Accrual :
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11 years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.
FLSA exempt employees accrue an additional 5 days of vacation per year.
Sick Leave Accrual : 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 48 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.
Group Term Life Insurance : $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.
Long Term Disability Insurance: A Long Term Disability plan is provided. This provides financial protection for you by paying a portion of your income while you are disabled. Provided by Standard Insurance Company.
Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.
Deferred Compensation : A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.
To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at
The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.
01

The questions that follow will be used to evaluate the extent to which a candidate has demonstrated and applied the knowledge, skills and abilities critical to successful performance for this position. You must respond to all required questions to be considered for these positions.Do you have a current California State License to practice Veterinary Medicine?

• Yes
• No

02

If you answered "Yes" to question 1, indicate your California State Veterinary license number and expiration date.
03

Do you have the ability to obtain a DEA license for the procurement and use of controlled substances and clinic use?

• Yes
• No

04

Please indicate your experience in the following categories, select all that apply: Shelter medicine Emergency medicine Multi-species practice Special practice No Experience

• Shelter medicine
• Emergency medicine
• Multi-species practice
• Special practice
• No experience

05

Provide specific example(s) of the experience you cited in the previous question. If you do not have this experience, respond by entering N/A to this question.
06

How many years of experience do you have as a licensed veterinarian in providing medical treatment to animals, including surgical procedures and medical examination in a veterinary hospital or shelter clinic setting?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1-2 years of experience
• 2-3 years of experience
• More than 3 years of experience

07

Would you be interested in being considered for this position as an Extra Help employee? Extra Help positions vary by each assignment. Extra Help employees may not work more than 1,559 hours in a fiscal year, (July to June). An extra help employee who mistakenly works in excess of 1,559 hours in a fiscal year does not become a probationary or regular employee and Extra Help employees are not eligible for benefits. Based on the needs of this professional position the schedule would be developed between the Department Manager and the Extra Help Employee. All requirements for the position are the same for regular or extra help status.

• Yes
• No

Required Question