Animal Control Veterinarian

Polk County Sheriff's Office•Winter Haven, FL

10d

About The Position

Position Concept The Animal Control Veterinarian plans, organizes and oversees the activities of the veterinarian services within the Animal Control section. The member performs all surgical and medical procedures necessary for the overall health of animals maintained by the Sheriff’s Office and reports to the Animal Control Administrator. The most important and essential job function of the position is attitude which includes the following: interacting positively and cooperating with co-workers, responding politely to customers, working as a team member, functioning under intense time pressure and responding in a positive manner to supervision. The Animal Control Veterinarian may perform other related duties and tasks, as required and shall have the physical, mental and emotional abilities to perform the essential job duties of the position. Essential Functions Trains staff on prevention of zoonotic disease and proper handling of bio hazardous substances and sharps Maintains overall care of animals in the custody of PCSO Performs medical evaluations, emergency treatment and surgery of animals Establishes medical standards for the maintenance of healthy, safe and sanitary living conditions for all animals Oversees pre and post-operative care for animals Monitors shelter population for disease by receiving staff input and walking through the shelter Observes animal behavior Provides medical insight and staff training concerning drugs and procedures used for euthanasia and tranquilizing animals in a humane manner Provides veterinary medical assistance to investigations of mistreatment and neglect of animals Provides direction in ordering various vaccines, drugs and medical supplies Maintains and inventories all vaccines, drugs, and medical supplies Cooperates with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) during audits Utilizes and oversees the use, care and maintenance of all medical and surgical equipment Evaluates animal medical cases for euthanasia Maintains accountability for controlled substances and logs for all class III and above drugs Determines appropriate action to prevent disease transmission among animals Makes presentations to organizations concerning veterinary care Communicates and builds continuing relationships with private practice veterinarians, rescue groups, and civic organizations Spays, neuters, and inoculates animals in accordance with Polk County Ordinance and state law Develops training and accompanying manuals in appropriate animal medical care Maintains knowledge of current animal laws and will be required to appear in court to testify in animal cruelty cases. Serves as an expert court witness as necessary Administers routine vaccinations and oral medications Performs necropsies and related analysis Prepares and maintains clear, concise medical records Ensures all medical data is accurately entered into the Chameleon database Communicates with various drug company representatives to ensure the most current and effective drugs are being utilized in treating the animal population Determines which animals should be treated by a private veterinarian Provides care and treatment for all impounded large animals Organizes, oversees and prepares animals for transport to private veterinary clinics for surgery Provides care and treatment for all agency K-9 dogs Operates office equipment Prepares paperwork associated with registering microchips Prepares and submits monthly medical/surgical statistics report Implants microchips in animals Schedules appointments for citizens for rabies vaccinations and post adoption medical cases Attends seminars to maintain a comprehensive current knowledge of veterinary medicine and to complete required continuing education hours

Requirements

High School diploma or GED
Valid Florida driver's license
Possession of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited school of veterinarian medicine
Possession of a Florida State Veterinary License
Must be able to obtain a Federal Drug Enforcement Administration License
Customer service, public contact or animal/kennel related work experience
Comprehensive current knowledge of veterinary medicine
Knowledge of PCSO policy and procedure
Safety rules and regulations
General care of animals
Florida State Statutes concerning animals
First aid procedures
Animal diseases
Rabies control
Judicial procedures
Geographical area
Animal Control ordinances/procedures
Chemical Immobilization techniques
Surgical procedures for spaying and neutering canines, felines, and other common animals
Humane euthanasia techniques
Shelter medicine and best practices, standards, and guidelines of the veterinary profession that are used in the State of Florida
Modern techniques for treating various animals for common diseases and injuries
Quality assurance procedures and techniques
Training principles, practices and techniques
Leadership and conflict resolution
Ability to Read and write English
Operate motor vehicl
Control animals
Work independently
Decide whether to perform surgery based on the animals’ health status
Understand, interpret and apply pertinent provisions of county, state and federal laws, rules, regulations and standards that affect the operation and administration
Analyze situations, reach sound conclusions and take appropriate action
Establish and maintain cooperative relations and tactfully approach citizens and staff
Respond to emergency situations
Perform under stressful conditions
Prepare clear, complete and technically accurate reports
Perform work in an ethical and professional manner
Effectively provide training and instruction to non-professional staff on a variety of medical techniques common to animal care
Analyze program needs and develop, recommend and implement operational procedures, policies and protocols.
Report writing
Computer
Interpersonal
Keyboarding
Public speaking
Problem solving
Decision making
Analytical
Telephone
Communication
Clerical
Investigative
Independent judgement
Walk
Lift/carry push/pull 70 lbs
Speak English understandably
Sit for long periods
Stand for long periods
See at normal range or with accommodation
Hear at normal level or with accommodation
Manual dexterity
Ambulate independently
Run
Climb
Bend
Kneel
Crawl
Recognize colors
Strength to control animals
Must complete prescribed inoculations for pre-rabies vaccine

Nice To Haves

Three to five years of experience in private practice or practicing shelter veterinary medicine, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience is preferred

Responsibilities

Trains staff on prevention of zoonotic disease and proper handling of bio hazardous substances and sharps
Maintains overall care of animals in the custody of PCSO
Performs medical evaluations, emergency treatment and surgery of animals
Establishes medical standards for the maintenance of healthy, safe and sanitary living conditions for all animals
Oversees pre and post-operative care for animals
Monitors shelter population for disease by receiving staff input and walking through the shelter
Observes animal behavior
Provides medical insight and staff training concerning drugs and procedures used for euthanasia and tranquilizing animals in a humane manner
Provides veterinary medical assistance to investigations of mistreatment and neglect of animals
Provides direction in ordering various vaccines, drugs and medical supplies
Maintains and inventories all vaccines, drugs, and medical supplies
Cooperates with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) during audits
Utilizes and oversees the use, care and maintenance of all medical and surgical equipment
Evaluates animal medical cases for euthanasia
Maintains accountability for controlled substances and logs for all class III and above drugs
Determines appropriate action to prevent disease transmission among animals
Makes presentations to organizations concerning veterinary care
Communicates and builds continuing relationships with private practice veterinarians, rescue groups, and civic organizations
Spays, neuters, and inoculates animals in accordance with Polk County Ordinance and state law
Develops training and accompanying manuals in appropriate animal medical care
Maintains knowledge of current animal laws and will be required to appear in court to testify in animal cruelty cases.
Serves as an expert court witness as necessary
Administers routine vaccinations and oral medications
Performs necropsies and related analysis
Prepares and maintains clear, concise medical records
Ensures all medical data is accurately entered into the Chameleon database
Communicates with various drug company representatives to ensure the most current and effective drugs are being utilized in treating the animal population
Determines which animals should be treated by a private veterinarian
Provides care and treatment for all impounded large animals
Organizes, oversees and prepares animals for transport to private veterinary clinics for surgery
Provides care and treatment for all agency K-9 dogs
Operates office equipment
Prepares paperwork associated with registering microchips
Prepares and submits monthly medical/surgical statistics report
Implants microchips in animals
Schedules appointments for citizens for rabies vaccinations and post adoption medical cases
Attends seminars to maintain a comprehensive current knowledge of veterinary medicine and to complete required continuing education hours