Position Description
Job Duties:
The Veterinarian will be responsible for providing comprehensive diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic veterinary care for animals in the municipal shelter, police canine unit, and sheriff canine unit. This position is one of two full-time veterinarians overseeing the Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center and the attached veterinary clinic. The Veterinarian ensures the highest standards of animal welfare and regulatory compliance and plays a key role in developing and implementing shelter medicine protocols and staff training initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver high-quality 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 and ensure the humane administration of euthanasia in accordance with legal, ethical, and professional standards.
- Maintain strict compliance with all local, state, and federal laws regarding the handling, storage, and documentation of controlled substances.
- Directly supervise and mentor a licensed veterinary technician, providing guidance, feedback, and support for professional development.
- Partner with the shelter manager to assess current practices and develop evidence-based protocols to improve animal health outcomes, shelter population management, and biosecurity.
- Design and deliver comprehensive staff training programs on topics including animal handling, sanitation, vaccination protocols, and emergency response; maintain training documentation and assess ongoing competency.
Collaborate with animal care, law enforcement, and administrative staff to support multidisciplinary animal health initiatives and promote a culture of compassion, safety, and continuous improvement.
The City offers a generous benefits package, which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans, maternity/paternity and parental leave, holidays, and Paid-Time-Off.
Disqualifiers:
The following is a listing of "disqualifiers" or concerns that could result in you not being selected for employment. Please give consideration to these factors before applying. This is not an exhaustive listing.
Criminal History: Conviction of any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude (crimes contrary to justice, honesty, or good morals). Conviction of any Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor, excluding traffic violations which are discussed separately, or the Virginia State Law equivalent within the last 5 years.
Traffic Violations: Any conviction of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, refusal to take blood or breath test, eluding police, racing, or leaving the scene of an accident within the last 5 years.
Drugs: Any involvement in the sale of illegal drugs as an adult. Any illegal use or possession of any illegal drug, including but not limited to heroin, cocaine, hallucinogens, or any derivative thereof (except marijuana) within the last five years. Illegal possession of anabolic steroids within the last 36 months.
Working Conditions:
https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/B.004646.2.pdf
Minimum Requirements:
MINIMUMS: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) from an accredited college of veterinary medicine. Successful completion of a national veterinary medicine exam, and current licensure as a veterinarian within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Must maintain veterinarian licensure, and all continuing education requirements for the duration of employment in this position. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certificate and state pharmacy license for controlled substances. Must maintain certification and licensure for the duration of employment in this position. Professional clinical experience. Must have, or obtain, a current and valid drivers license. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: See job URL for the specific information that applies to this position.
Additional Requirements:
DMV Transcript: Required
CDL: Not Required
DOT History: Not Required
CPS Check: Not Required
Physical: Required
Respirator: Not Required
Polygraph Review: Not Required
Psychological Screening: Not Required
Attachments Required:
Preferences:
Professional veterinarian experience in a clinic or animal shelter, continuing education in shelter medicine and experience performing pediatric surgeries are preferred. Supervisory experience, strong interpersonal/collaboration skills and effective communication skills are highly desirable.
Special Instructions:
Recruitment is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed weekly, and interviews will occur on an on-going basis. Once a selection has been made, this requisition will be closed.
CJIS/VCIN/NCIC certification is required, in addition to the successful completion of a police background check, candidates must have U.S. citizenship or be a lawful resident of the United States and eligible for naturalization.
Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination.
All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City’s operational status.
- Please complete the application in its entirety and include your resume if required by the posting.
- Your responses to any "Supplemental Questions", if attached to this requisition, must be supported by the information you provide on your application and/or resume; or otherwise demonstrated during the hiring process.
- You will not be able to access the details of this job ad once the closing date has passed. If you would like to retain this information, please take a screen shot or print using your browser's printing capability.
VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.
Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.