About the job

Description

Under general supervision, to plan, coordinate and provide routine and emergency medical treatment services and to manage the overall health of animals housed at the Santa Clara County Animal Shelter.

These two part-time positions are located at San Martin’s new state-of-the-art Animal Services Center medical clinic that includes exam rooms, radiology, and surgery and recovery suites to provide the most cutting-edge animal care. Take a virtual tour with us: https://bit.ly/34PQtag

COVID -19 Risk Tier – Lower Risk or Intermediate Risk

Typical Tasks

• Directs, coordinates and performs the screening, diagnosis and basic and emergency medical treatment and the required surgeries for animals in the Shelter;
• Performs or directs the visual monitoring of impounded animals, including those that may be isolated or quarantined for signs and symptoms of illness or unusual behavior;
• Performs surgical procedures, including spaying and neutering;
• Vaccinates animals;
• Maintains animal medical records to track their care and health conditions;
• Establishes and implements written medical treatment protocols;
• Effectively communicates the condition and status of animals with staff, the general public and animal groups;
• Advises staff on matters within the veterinary field;
• Requests purchase orders;
• Monitors, maintains and provides quality control of drugs used at the shelter and in the field;
• Trains appropriate staff in administering first aide, vaccinations and how to euthanize animals and perform other paramedical duties;
• Coordinates with the Animal Shelter Supervisor regarding euthanasia of animals that are irremediably suffering from series illness or severe injury;
• Advises on procedures to maintain a comprehensive disease prevention program for the animal shelter;
• Participates and provides veterinary services for special spay/neuter or vaccination clinics;
• Provides social media information and educational materials related to veterinary medical issues in the community, and related to adoptable and fostered animals;
• Assists Animal Control Officers with assessing, treating or euthanizing animals in the field;
• Provides professional assistance in the investigations of mistreatment or neglect of animals; occasionally prepares reports to testify in court as the medical expert in animal cruelty or neglect cases;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards

• Possession of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from an accredited college or university, and
• Two (2) years of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of animals in a clinical setting, private practice or animal shelter environment that includes performing surgery. Experience as a Veterinarian in an animal shelter strongly preferred.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid license issued by the California Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine to practice as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine prior to appointment and the possession and maintenance of a valid Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certificate/license.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County Driver's Permit.

Knowledge of:

• State, federal and municipal animal health laws, regulations and ordinances governing the impounding, care, and treatment of animals;
• Principles and practices of veterinary medicine;
• Treatment, prevention and control of the common diseases of animals;
• Fundamental principles and methods of clinical diagnosis;
• Physical and behavioral characteristics of domestic animals;
• Common computer applications including word processing and spreadsheets;
• Standard office practices, procedures, and office machines;
• Safety regulations and safe work practices;
• Mathematical computations such as calculating proportions, percentages, volume, ratios, fractions;
• Accurate recordkeeping.

Ability to:

• Examine, evaluate and treat shelter animals in a professional and efficient manner;
• Perform high quality animal surgeries in a fast-paced environment;
• Administer tests for diseases in animals and interpret results;
• Handle animals (including aggressive and/or feral animals) safely, properly, and humanely;
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for medical staff;
• Operate relevant medical equipment;
• Make sound medical decisions that include prescribing medications and euthanasia of animals that are irremediably suffering from serious illness or severe injury;
• Train staff on basic paramedical duties and to rapidly identify animals requiring isolation or veterinary care;
• Develop and establish medical standards/procedures for the maintenance of healthy/safe/sanitary facilities;
• Explain rules and regulations governing care and treatment of animals to staff, volunteers and the general public;
• Stay abreast of new trends and innovations in animal shelter medicine;
• Write reports, business correspondence, and assist in developing policies and procedures;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Operate a computer and common office applications, and calculate mathematical figures;
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing;
• Maintain accurate physical and electronic records.

Physical Requirements

• Carry, handle, lift and transport animals weighing up to 50 pounds;
• Stoop, bend and reach, grasp and manipulate bulky and moderately heavy items and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds;
• May be required to work weekends and holidays.

About County of Santa Clara

The County of Santa Clara is located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay and encompasses 1,312 square miles.

It has one of the highest median family incomes in the country, and a wide diversity of cultures, backgrounds and talents. The County of Santa Clara continues to attract people from all over the world. With more than 70 agencies/departments and 22,000 employees, the County of Santa Clara plans for the needs of a dynamic community, provides quality services, and promotes a healthy, safe and prosperous community for all. The County provides essential services including public health protection, environmental protection, medical services through Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC), child and adult protection services, homelessness prevention and solutions, roads, park services, libraries, emergency response to disasters, protection of minority communities and those under threat, access to a fair criminal justice system, and scores of other services, particularly for those members of our community in the greatest need.

The County's population of nearly 1.9 million is one of the largest in the state, and the largest of the nine Bay Area co...unties. Its population constitutes about one fourth of the Bay Area's total population. There are 15 cities including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale ranging from Palo Alto to the north, to Gilroy in the south. San Jose is the largest city in the County, with a population of 1.035 million, and is the administrative site of County Government. A significant portion of the county's land area is unincorporated ranch and farmland. Nearly 92% of the population lives in cities.

The County of Santa Clara operates 27 parks covering more than 50,000 acres including scenic lakes, streams, and miles of hiking and biking trails.

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