Position Description
Job Duties:
We are very proud of our Animal Care and Adoption Center (341 South Birdneck Road). We are an open admission facility, meaning that we accept all animals. We work hard to reunite stray and lost animals with their owners. When that is not possible, we strive to place animals in their forever home. In some cases, we place animals with rescue or rehabilitation organizations.
The VBPD Veterinarian will serve as one of two veterinarians responsible for providing comprehensive diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic veterinary care for animals in the municipal shelter, police canine unit, and sheriff canine unit. These positions ensure the highest standards of animal welfare and regulatory compliance and plays a key role in developing and implementing the Animal Care and adoption Center's Veterinary Clinic's 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.
Key Benefits and Incentives:
- *$14,000 Hiring Bonus: A generous bonus awarded in installments as you achieve key performance milestones.
- $3,000 will be awarded in the first paycheck.
- $5,000 will be awarded upon completing the six (6) month interim performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”.
- $6,000 will be awarded upon completing the employee’s one (1) year probationary period and a performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”
- Education Allowance: Opportunities for continuing education and professional growth, including continued licensure and AVMA or other professional membership fees
- Competitive Paid Leave Package: Supporting your work-life balance and personal well-being.
**Hiring bonuses shall only be for new hires of original employment or reemployment as defined in Human Resources Policy No. 5.0. and is subject to a repayment agreement if services is less than a year.
Comprehensive Benefits and Compensation 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
As a City Manager appointee, this position serves at the pleasure of the City Manager and is not considered part of the merit service as defined in City Code, section 2-75.
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.
Official City Job Description:
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. Must have, or obtain, a current and valid drivers license.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 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. This position may require that incumbents wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, steel toed shoes, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, or other safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employee’s supervisor based on position assigned. 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. This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to mandatory drug testing and annual exams. Positive drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination. Successful completion of a pre-employment physical. Upon hire, the selected candidate will be required to receive rabies pre-exposure vaccination provided by the City of Virginia Beach Occupational Safety and Health Services.
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 and experience performing pediatric surgeries are preferred. Preference given to those who already possess a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Certificate have experience with exotic and livestock animals, as well as performing necropsies and being a subject matter witness on animal welfare legal cases.
Special Instructions:
As a City Manager appointee, this position serves at the pleasure of the City Manager and is not considered part of the merit service as defined in City Code, section 2-75.
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.
Open to out-of-state candidates based on their ability to have in-state licensure.
This position is eligible for a $14,000 sign on bonus subject to a repayment agreement.
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.