Animal Resources & Care Veterinarian

Minimum Qualifications

DVM/VMD  degree from  an  AVMA accredited  institution, licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Florida or licensed in another US State in good standing capable of getting licensed in Florida within 30 days of conditional hire. Applicants within six months of meeting the education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.

Job offer to non-Florida license holders will be contingent upon successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) developed by the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA), the Florida Laws and Rules examination.

Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required. 
 
https://www.myfloridalicense.com/CheckListDetail.asp?SID=&xactCode=1016&clientCode=2601&XACT_DEFN_ID=5976

Position Summary

This is highly responsible professional work supervising and providing medical care and treatment to sheltered animals in the medical unit of the Animal Resources & Care Department.

An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for providing veterinary services including a broad variety of clinical and laboratory activities. Exercises medical judgment and skill in the independent performance of duties for the care and treatment of animals within the shelter. Supervision is exercised over clinic subordinates assisting in routine details. Work is performed in accordance with County ordinances and other applicable policies and legislation.

Work is performed under the direction of a higher level supervisor and is reviewed through reports, conferences, and observation of results achieved.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.

Exudes a positive customer service focus.

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including: integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.

Supervises and coordinates the activities of subordinate employees including determining work procedures and schedules; issuing instructions and assigning duties; reviewing work; recommending personnel actions; conducting performance reviews; and conducting departmental training and orientation.

Participates as a member of the management team and attends applicable meetings.
Provides medical and surgical care, treatment and sterilizations to sheltered animals.
Provides medical examinations and sterilizations to animals being transferred to other animal welfare organizations and/or rescue groups.

Provides sterilizations for pets of citizens participating in the low-income and low-cost spay/neuter programs.
Performs forensic exams and necropsies as warranted and provides qualified testimony and documentation in court concerning cases of neglect and cruelty, as enforced by Animal Resources & Care Officers in accordance with County ordinance and State Statutes.

Counsels citizens who adopt pets on post operative care.

Trains staff on prevention of canine, feline and zoonotic diseases.

Aids in development and implementation of cleaning, vaccination, intake, and quarantine protocols.
 
Participates in interviewing and hiring decisions for shelter medical staff.
 
Communicates directly with applicable staff with regard to care of all shelter animals.

Participates in the continuing education of senior students at the College of Veterinary Medicine in the cooperative externship program with the University of Florida.

Stays current on the latest procedures and developments regarding the handling, care and disposal of animals.

Performs decapitation of animals that are submitted for rabies testing.

Maintains medical inventory, compliance with DEA requirements related to controlled substances, and offers qualified expertise on the appropriate selection of medical supplies.

Reviews and makes recommendations to the director concerning animal care and regulations program policies, procedures, and activities; prepares periodic evaluative reports on medical services.

Responds to verbal and written inquiries from the public and the local veterinary community regarding Animal Resources & Care.

Develops programs designed to inform the citizens of Alachua County about the proper care and handling of animals.

Provides technical advice and assistance to citizens as requested.

Treats people and animals with respect, contributes to effective teamwork, promotes intra-and inter-departmental cooperation, and fosters public relations beneficial to Animal Services.
 
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of veterinary medicine, infectious disease, shelter medicine, aseptic technique, standards of care in veterinary medicine, and high volume surgery techniques.

Thorough knowledge of the operation of laboratory equipment, use of drugs, and related supplies for an animal facility.

Considerable knowledge of the policies, procedures and laws pertaining to animal resources & care operations.

Ability to perform high volume spay/neuter surgery; ability to perform other surgeries including by not limited to cystotomy, mass removal, entropion repair, cherry eye repair, enucleation, and amputation; ability to prioritize, multitask, and triage; and ability to work well with others.

Ability to supervise and organize the work of staff, develop staff, and effectively appraise employee performance.

Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including public speaking and the preparation of written reports.

Ability to communicate skillfully and effectively with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers, and community in a professional, pleasant, and respectful manner at all times.

Ability to work well within frenetic nature of shelter environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform 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 required to talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand for extended periods; walk; sit, and reach with hands or arms.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision.
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 occasionally exposed to wet, humid conditions (non-weather), and fumes or airborne particles. Subject to animal bites and scratches.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$81,640.00 Annually