County Veterinarian

We invite passionate individuals committed to animal welfare and veterinary care to apply for the position of Veterinarian within the Animal Services program at the Public Health Department! If you are enthusiastic about making a meaningful impact on the well-being of animals and the community, we encourage you to consider joining our dedicated team.
 
We are actively accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time Veterinarian in Santa Maria for the Public Health Department.

The Program
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 (map)
• Santa Barbara Shelter, 5473 Overpass Road (map)
• Lompoc Shelter, 1501 W. Central Avenue (map)

 
 The 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.
 
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.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

1. 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 medical procedures and treatments, and explain possible complications.
2. Supervises staff including Registered Veterinary Technicians, contract veterinarians, veterinary medical staff, and animal control, clerical, and/or other staff as assigned, including assigning and evaluating work. Provides estimates of veterinary requirements for the department budget and provides input on census management.
3. 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.
4. Administers injections, provides training in and supervision of, and is responsible for humanely euthanizing animals in accordance with California State Law and Department guidelines and policies.
5. Investigates, prevents, controls and eradicates infectious diseases of animals including those transmissible to humans, with particular emphasis on organized disease control programs such as parvovirus, distemper, calicivirus, feline leukemia, rabbit hemorrhagic disease, and rabies.
6. Maintains animal medical and sterilization records and care recommendations for all shelter animal admissions and ensures those recommendations are completed.
7. Provides staff training, prepares operational reports, and prepares other required records, reports, and correspondence. May travel for conference and/or training opportunities with national organizations and industry leaders as required
8. Maintains proper inventory, storage, handling and documentation of all controlled substances, supplies and functioning of all medically related equipment within the department.
9. Develops and enforces compliance with standard operating procedures for animal medical and health operations.
10. Negotiates contracts with veterinarians, veterinary pharmaceutical suppliers, reference laboratories and local veterinary hospitals as required.
11. Participates in humane investigations, including performing cursory necropsies, prepares written veterinary statements, and testifies in court as appropriate for animal welfare/cruelty cases.
12. Consults with department, private, non-profit and other public veterinarians and animal owners on disease problems and to identify and fill gaps in resources and community services; educates the general public, members of animal welfare groups, and staff, including volunteers, about care and treatment of animals, including fostering and adopting animals.
13. Conducts vaccination clinics, provides medical consultations and services during special events.
14. Assists with emergency and disaster services as required. 

Employment Standards

Possession of the following:
 

1. 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
2. Two (2) years of experience working in shelter medicine or a high-volume veterinary clinic or rescue.

 
Additional Qualifications:

1. Possession of a valid Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certificate/license for the prescription of controlled medications will be required within the first six months of appointment. 
2. Possession and maintenance of a current, valid National Accreditation Number (NAN) issued by the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) within 60 days of appointment. 
3. Possession of a valid California Class C driver license upon appointment.
4. Ability and willingness to provide veterinary premise license for each County shelter.
5. Ability and willingness to provide standby call coverage on weekdays, weekends, and holidays as well as being available for consultation after regular business hours.

 
Desirable Qualifications: Two years of supervisory or management experience is highly desirable, as is a veterinary degree with a focus on shelter medicine. Possession of a Human-Animal Bond Certification from the North American Veterinary Community is also desirable.
 
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.