Veterinarian
We are accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time Veterinarian in Santa Maria for the Public Health Department.
The primary location is home-based in Santa Maria; however, the incumbent will need to travel throughout the County as this position requires responsibilities at all three shelter locations in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Please select "ALL LOCATIONS" on the job application as areas you are willing to accept work
We are also accepting applications to establish an employment list for future full-time, part-time and extra help Veterinarian job classification vacancies. Please select the location(s) on your job application where you are willing to accept work for current and future vacancies. Note this position requires rotating between shelter locations throughout the County.
BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. Click on Benefits Tab above or CLICK HERE to view more information.
In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:
- Retirement reciprocity
- Time and service credit towards for an advanced vacation accrual rate
ANIMAL SERVICES DIVISION: The Santa Barbara County Animal Services Division operates three open admission animal shelters, serving all of Santa Barbara County with the exception of the City of Carpinteria. We provide field and shelter services, adoption and lost and found programs, affordable spay and neuter services, and have a very robust volunteer program. Project Pet Safe promotes responsible pet ownership through vaccination, licensing, spay and neuter, and microchipping of pets. For more information on the Public Health Animal Services Division - CLICK HERE.
Animal Shelter Locations:
Santa Maria Shelter, 548 W. Foster Road
Santa Barbara Shelter, 5473 Overpass Road
Lompoc Shelter, 1501 W. Central Avenue
POSITION: Under general direction, plans, organizes, coordinates and performs veterinary medical services, including high volume spay/neuter surgeries and other surgical procedures, in County-operated animal shelters; provides medical services dealing with the investigation, prevention, control and eradication of infectious diseases in animals including those transmissible to man; examines and determines preventative medical care and treatments for shelter animals and stray animal emergency cases; develops policies and procedures consistent with best industry standards and state and federal laws, provides oversight for the security and dispensing of drugs and ensures compliance with all federal and state regulations, and performs other related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This single-position classification differs from the Animal Services division manager in that the latter is assigned responsibility for the Division of Animal Services, reports to the Director of Public Health, and performs management and budget planning. This classification differs from the lower-level classification of Registered Veterinary Technician in that the latter is a journey-level classification working under general supervision, characterized by responsibility for ensuring proper routine medical care for sheltered animals.
The work schedule for this position will depend upon the needs of the Department and will include overnight, on-call, weekend, and holidays shifts. Travel throughout the County will be required.
The IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:
- Experience providing high-quality veterinary care and spay and neuter services to shelter animals.
- Experience working in a municipal animal shelter, or in a non-profit that provides animal sheltering to a municipal organization.
- Experience in effectively providing direction and supervision of contract veterinarians, registered veterinarian technicians, support staff, and volunteers.
- Experience in working under pressure and embracing a community-centric model of animal sheltering that improves the lives of animals and people.
- Experience in supervising the veterinary care in accordance with state and local policies and procedures, as well as shelter best practices.
- Experience in developing and implement goals, objectives, and policies.
- Experience in outreach that supports a comprehensive approach to community wellness, such as participation in vaccine, microchip, and spay/neuter clinics.
Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Provides oversight of daily animal medical care, maintains preventative health programs and animal sterilization; performs spay/neuter surgeries, including some animal preparation and aftercare as appropriate; may provide consultation and education to pet owners on spay/neuter procedures and explain possible complications.
- Supervises staff including Registered Veterinary Technicians, veterinary medical staff, and animal control, clerical, and other staff as assigned, including assigning and evaluating work, and estimates veterinary requirements for the department budget.
- Conducts and evaluates treatment plans, disease control measures, hands-on medical treatment and progress of animals housed at the shelter, including sterilization and facility sanitation within shelter guidelines, operating philosophy, and shelter medicine industry best practices, including instructing and providing technical direction to clinic staff.
- Administers injections, provides supervision of, and is responsible for humanely euthanizing animals in accordance with California State Law and Department guidelines and policies.
- Investigates, prevents, controls and eradicates infectious diseases of animals including those transmissible to man, with particular emphasis on organized disease control programs such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, and rabies.
- Maintains animal medical and sterilization records and care recommendations for all shelter animal admissions and ensures those recommendations are completed.
- Provides staff training, prepares operational reports, and prepares other required records, reports, and correspondence.
- Maintains proper inventory, storage, handling and documentation of all controlled substances, supplies and functioning of all medically related equipment within the department.
- Develops and enforces compliance with standard operating procedures for animal medical and health operations.
- Negotiates contracts with veterinary pharmaceutical suppliers, reference laboratories and local veterinary hospitals as required.
- Participates in humane investigations, including performing cursory necropsies, prepares written veterinary statements, and testifies in court as appropriate for animal welfare/cruelty cases.
- Consults with department, private and other public veterinarians and animal owners on disease problems; educates the general public, members of animal welfare groups, and staff, including volunteers, about care and treatment of animals.
- Conducts vaccination clinics, provides medical consultations and services during special events.
- Assists with emergency and disaster services as required.
Requirements:
- An active license to practice as a veterinarian issued by the State of California Veterinary Medical Board. Registration as a Licensed Veterinarian issue by another state will be accepted in lieu of this requirement providing the candidate applies for a Reciprocity Temporary License from the California Veterinary Medical Board prior to starting employment and completes the requirements to convert to a permanent license within one year (during the first year probationary period); AND
- A minimum of two years of experience working in shelter medicine; AND
- A valid Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certificate/license for the prescription of controlled medications.
Desirable Qualifications: At least two years of supervisory or management experience is highly desirable, as is a veterinary degree with a focus on shelter medicine.
Knowledge of: current veterinary best practices relating to the treatment and cure of injured and sick animals; State, Federal and local laws and ordinances pertaining to the humane treatment of animals; principles and practices of current veterinary medicine, including disease identification, prevention, control and eradication; preoperative, surgical and postoperative procedures involved in performing spay and neutering surgeries; safety policies, procedures and practices as they relate to veterinary medicine; appropriate equipment required in performing specific medical procedures; computer applications related to veterinarian services; principles of quality control management; principles and techniques of management and supervision; and standard English grammar and usage.
Ability to: work under minimal supervision; provide surgical and medical services and care for a variety of well, sick, and injured animals, including a high volume of spay and neutering operations; ability to work with uncooperative animals safely and compassionately; ability to lift/carry animals weighing up to 75 lbs; perform proper diagnosis and postmortem procedures; make sound decisions, including prescribing medications and euthanasia; establish and enforce quarantine of animals; understand quality control practice to assure compliance with safety and accreditation standards and regulations; prepare clear, complete, and technical reports; communicate clearly and follow oral and written instructions; analyze critical situations accurately and take decisive and effective action; evaluate program quality, cost and overall effectiveness to recommend and implement changes and improvements; create and implement policies and procedures; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted through the course of work, including co-workers, volunteers and the public; train shelter staff and volunteers; and communicate effectively orally and in writing.Supplemental Information
The Public Health Department (PHD) requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the PHD Employee Immunizations policy. This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations. A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider, or learning institution.
Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.
COVID-19 Vaccination Verification: This position may be subject to State Health Officer Orders (SHOOs) or County policy regarding vaccine verification and/or testing. Please contact the hiring department for more information.
Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.
We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.
We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.
We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.