VBPD Veterinarian

City of Virginia Beach

107d•$150,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Virginia Beach Police Department is hiring a veterinarian to serve as one of two veterinarians providing comprehensive diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic care for animals in the municipal shelter, police canine unit, and sheriff canine unit. The role supports high standards of animal welfare and regulatory compliance and helps develop and implement the Animal Care and Adoption Center Veterinary Clinic’s medical protocols and staff training initiatives. The Animal Care and Adoption Center is an open-admission facility that accepts all animals. It works to reunite stray and lost animals with their owners and, when that is not possible, to place animals in permanent homes or with rescue and rehabilitation organizations. The position requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) from an accredited college of veterinary medicine, successful completion of a national veterinary medicine exam, and current Virginia veterinary licensure. The veterinarian must maintain licensure and continuing education requirements throughout employment, and hold a current, valid driver’s license. Candidates must complete a police background investigation, including a polygraph examination, and obtain CJIS/VCIN/NCIC certification. U.S. citizenship or lawful U.S. residency with eligibility for naturalization is required. The role is based in Virginia Beach and offers a defined pay range of $150,000–$180,000; starting salary may be negotiable based on qualifications. A $14,000 hiring bonus is paid in installments subject to performance milestones and a repayment agreement if service is less than one year. The position is designated Alpha I and requires work during inclement weather regardless of City operational status. Employees may also be required to work beyond normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs or City-wide emergencies.

Requirements

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) from an accredited college of veterinary medicine.
Successful completion of a national veterinary medicine exam.
Current veterinarian licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia; must maintain licensure and continuing education requirements throughout employment.
Current and valid driver’s license.
Successful completion of a thorough police background investigation, including a polygraph examination.
CJIS/VCIN/NCIC certification is required.
Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful U.S. resident eligible for naturalization.
Must be able to work during inclement weather regardless of City operational status.
May be required to work hours beyond the normal schedule in response to short-term department needs or City-wide emergencies.
May be required to wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment in designated areas of risk.
Skills include animal welfare, communicable diseases, disease control and prevention, surgery, vaccinations, veterinary care, and veterinary medicine.

Responsibilities

Provide veterinary medical services, including examinations, diagnostics, treatment, surgery, and preventative care for shelter animals, police K-9s, and sheriff canines.
Establish and maintain herd health standards, vaccination schedules, disease-prevention strategies, and outbreak-response plans.
Oversee humane euthanasia in accordance with legal, ethical, and professional standards.
Maintain compliance with local, state, and federal laws governing controlled substances, including their handling, storage, and documentation.
Directly supervise and mentor a licensed veterinary technician, providing guidance, feedback, and professional development support.
Partner with the shelter manager to assess practices and develop evidence-based protocols to improve animal health outcomes, shelter population management, and biosecurity.
Design and deliver staff training on animal handling, sanitation, vaccination protocols, and emergency response; maintain training documentation and assess ongoing competency.
Collaborate with animal care, law enforcement, and administrative staff on multidisciplinary animal health initiatives and promote compassion, safety, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

$14,000 hiring bonus, paid in installments upon specified performance milestones and subject to a repayment agreement if service is less than one year.
Education allowance and opportunities for continuing education and professional growth, including continued licensure and AVMA or other professional membership fees.
Competitive paid leave package.
Health, dental, and life insurance.
Retirement and savings plans.
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness.
Maternity, paternity, and parental leave.
Leave donation program.
Tuition reimbursement.
Professional development opportunities.