Shelter Veterinarian
Summary
| Title: | Shelter Veterinarian |
|---|---|
| ID: | 1525 |
| Department: | Animal Services |
| Salary Range: | Starting Salary $94,318.00 |
Description
HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
AL NIENHUIS, SHERIFF
AL NIENHUIS, SHERIFF
JOB TITLE: SHELTER VETERINARIAN
BUREAU: LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS
SUPERVISED BY: DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL SERVICES
PAY GRADE: 26N CREATED: 11/10/2024
FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT REVISED:
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASS:
The Shelter Veterinarian works under the guidance of the Director of Animal Services to provide medical and surgical care for animals housed or owned by the shelter, including the Sheriff’s Office working canines. Responsibilities include monitoring the daily health and wellness of animals, implementing quality shelter medicine practices, and managing progressive herd health protocols to maintain overall population health. The role requires expertise in companion animal care, shelter medicine, epidemiology, infectious disease management, veterinary forensics, and herd health practices. This position demands a strong commitment to animal welfare, as well as advanced surgical, diagnostic, and disease prevention skills.
[NOTE]: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work 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.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Examines and treats animals housed at and/or owned by the shelter; directs population management decisions and advises on operational decisions to decrease disease and increase good health; provides complete medical records, medical release statements, and certified health certificates as appropriate.
- Treats, immunizes, spays, or neuters adult and juvenile animals in accordance with established Association of Shelter Veterinarians best practice guidelines, laws, and policies.
- Performs, interprets, and records laboratory testing and radiology findings for disease and/or injuries.
- Responsible for triage and stabilizing sick and/or injured animals, diagnosing and treating a wide variety of medical conditions, anesthetizing animals, performing emergency and non-emergency surgery and euthanasia of shelter animals according to established laws and policies.
- Establishes best care practices of large animals/livestock. Performs routine examinations and required state testing of large animals/livestock
- Develops training and communication on animal care procedures for Veterinary Technicians, Animal Care Technicians, and other personnel.
- Establishes care plans and monitoring schedule for shelter animals with potentially dangerous and/or infectious diseases that may affect other animals or humans.
- Evaluates, examines, and reviews animal cases that are subject to animal cruelty investigations; prepares examination findings in report fashion, to be used by courts; serves as an expert court witness, as necessary.
- Acts as liaison with veterinarians in private practice; seeks their support and cooperation for various projects and activities.
- Confers and cooperates with animal humane and civic organizations in the community; makes educational presentations to civic organizations on the topic of shelter animals, shelter medicine, or other related topics.
- Performs routine health screenings and immunizations of agency owned and retired canines and barn cats.
- During an emergency, the Sheriff will determine who is considered an essential worker to maintain necessary operations of the animal shelter. This determination is subject to change based on the staffing and operational needs of the agency.
QUALIFICATIONS:
A. Training and Experience
- Graduation from a college or university accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Medical Doctor degree.
- Licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Florida or seeking such license for new graduates.
- Must be able to obtain a Drug Enforcement Administration license within 60 days of hire.
- Must have or obtain within six (6) months of hire National Veterinary Accreditation with the United States Department of Agriculture to perform exams and issue Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (health certificates).
- Shelter Medicine experience preferred, qualified experience can include both internships and externships under the guidance of a veterinarian.
B. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of animal shelter operations to include care, common illnesses behavior, impoundment procedures, animal handling equipment, animal safety and sanitation procedures
- Ability to work independently and confidently with little or no supervision.
- Ability to always use sound judgment and maintain emotional stability while dealing with high stress situations. Ability to always maintain a professional demeanor. Ability to maintain precise and detailed records of all activities.
- Ability to understand and interpret laws and ordinances.
- Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with coworkers.
- Ability to effectively operate both shelter management software and commonly used office software and/or programs.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally or in writing to include public speaking to groups of all sizes.
- Ability to use a digital camera.
- Ability to work in an environment that will contain animals, which may be aggressive and/or diseased. Work environment may contain fleas, ticks, and/or other parasites. Animal euthanasia and storage of deceased animals will occur in this work environment. The animal shelter participates in the local inmate work program and inmates will be on property and always supervised
- Ability to demonstrate effective verbal communication and prepare written documents using proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and form.
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:
- Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds.
- Ability to stretch, stoop, bend, kneel, reach and climb frequently.
- Ability to physically control highly active and/or aggressive animals, potentially weighing 80 pounds or more.
- Ability to sit and/or stand for long periods of time.
- Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction).
- Acceptable hearing (with or without hearing aid).
Equal Opportunity Employer
