View All Class Specifications

Veterinarian 1

Category: Exempt
Pay Grade: E25
Job Code: 20074

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

JOB SUMMARY

Performs highly responsible veterinary work performing veterinary medical and surgical services for Animal Services in the shelter clinic; performs veterinary services including a broad variety of clinical, laboratory, and surgery activities; exercises medical judgment and skill in the independent performance of their duties for the care and treatment of animals in the shelter.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (examples, not all inclusive)

• Assists in the supervision of clinic staff and may review payroll records and schedules, providing input for performance evaluations, and recommending the hiring, termination, and promotion of staff;
• Reviews complaints of violations and inspections on complaints of the animal control ordinance;
• Assures the enforcement and interpretation of the ordinance;
• Appears as an expert witness in court cases, coordinating closely with the County Attorney’s office;
• Assists the Senior Veterinarian in the shelter operations involving impoundment, redemption, and disposal of animals, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and departmental procedures;
• Provides back up for the ordering, safekeeping, and use of all controlled drugs used in the treatment of animals and maintains complete and accurate records;
• Spays, neuters, and inoculates adult and juvenile animals in accordance with established laws and policies;
• Examines and treats impounded and adopted animals, assists with the separation of diseased animals for treatment or other disposition, and issues certificates containing status of health for animals adopted;
• Assures that all impounded animals are kept comfortably in an environment that is as disease free as possible;
• Performs emergency treatment and surgery upon injured and diseased animals;
• Performs and interprets laboratory tests for parasitic conditions, diseases, and injuries and operates x-ray equipment;
• Performs and directs the necessary euthanasia of impounded animals according to established laws and policies;
• Assists Senior Veterinarian in the development of training and accompanying manuals in appropriate animal medical care for Veterinary Technicians and other personnel;
• Monitors and responds to impounded animals with potentially dangerous diseases that may affect animal or human populations;
• Provides assistance in the examination and review of animal cases that are subject to animal cruelty investigations and serves as an expert court witness as necessary;
• Acts as liaison with veterinarians in private practice and seeks their support and cooperation for various department projects and activities;
• Confers and cooperates with animal humane and civic organizations in the community and makes presentations to organizations concerning veterinary care;
• Performs related duties as required and fulfills the essential functions of the Senior Veterinarian in their absence due to vacations or other leave;
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited school of veterinary medicine, possession of a Florida State Veterinary license, and two (2) years of experience in the treatment and care of animals that includes supervision or supervisory training.  

Special Qualifications (May be required depending on area of assignment):

• Florida Driver’s License or Florida Commercial Driver’s License and endorsement, if any.
• Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.
• Must be eligible to obtain a Federal Drug Enforcement Administration License, as well as be a licensed Veterinarian.
• Other knowledge, skills, abilities, and credentials required for a specific position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of veterinary medicine and the treatment and care of animals;
• Knowledge of health, related laws, and regulations as they relate to veterinarian science services;
• Knowledge of the County Animal Control Ordinance, State Statutes, and Federal Regulations;
• Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures;
• Knowledge of employee and public safety measures and procedures;
• Knowledge of veterinary medicine and the treatment and care of animals;
• Knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases and injuries;
• Ability to act independently in achieving and executing the goals of Animal Services;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, county, municipal, and state agencies, and the general public;
• Ability to plan, assign, supervise, and review the work of a staff engaged in animal services activities in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale;
• Ability to properly enforce the Animal Control Ordinance firmly, tactfully, and impartially;
• Ability to supervise records maintenance and to prepare and submit reports;
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. 

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

The work is light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.  Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Visual ability: Sufficient to effectively operate office equipment including copier, computer, etc.; and to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, etc.
• Hearing ability: Sufficient to hold a conversation with other individuals both in person and over a telephone; and to hear recording on transcription device.
• Speaking ability: Sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and over a telephone.
• Mental acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Repetitive motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an environment where errors can lead to significant physical or mental consequences for self or others.