Job Description

Nature of Work

ANIMAL SHELTER PERSONNEL ARE EMPLOYEES OF THE ANIMAL SERVICE CENTER OF THE MESILLA VALLEY - NOT THE CITY OF LAS CRUCES.

Under general supervision and direction from the Medical Director performs veterinary services, including a broad variety of clinical and laboratory activities in a shelter environment. Provides high quality/high volume S/N surgery (HQHVSN) for shelter and owned animals. Exercises medical judgment and skills in the performance of duties for the care and treatment of animals and supervises assigned veterinary staff within the Animal Services Center Animal Service Center of Mesilla Valley (ASCMV).

Environmental Factors

Work is performed in an animal shelter environment where there is exposure to a variety of domestic and wild animals and noise and in various community facilities.

Physical Factors

Moderate to heavy physical demands; occasional heavy lifting up to 50 pounds; some moving and lifting of supplies and equipment.

Work Situation Factors

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, nights, weekends, and responding to customer issues. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Frequent use of a personal computer.
THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION SUBJECT TO DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS, CITY OF LAS CRUCES AND ASCMV POLICIES.

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT ASCMV AND/OR CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.

Full-Time; Regular; Exempt

Duties and Responsibilities

• Enforces animal care and disease control requirements; ensures compliance with all applicable regulatory agencies, animal health and welfare regulations and standards including United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Drug Enforcement Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Animal Welfare Act, and all other applicable State and Federal agencies; oversees maintenance and control of narcotics and other drugs.
• Performs routine and emergency medical care, surgery and post-operative care, preventive medicine, postmortem examinations, epidemiological investigations, and pediatric sterilizations; performs and conducts high quality, high volume spay and neuter; inspects facilities to assure quality and compliance with all applicable regulatory agencies, animal health and welfare regulations and standards; oversees vaccination, parasite control, bio-safety, quarantine and other protocols; develops and maintains detailed records of animal diets and veterinary care including drug logs.
• Participates in the care, feeding, humane treatment and euthanasia of impounded and court-hold animals; prepares and presents written reports on the condition of court-hold animals and testifies in court as required; ensures proper disposal of animal carcasses; ensures proper inspection, investigation, epidemiology, enforcement and quarantine related to disease and injury resulting from contact with diseased animals; directs laboratory preparation of sample tissues for disease identification and prevention; provides advice and counsel to the ASCMV Medical Director and local code enforcement agencies.
• Manages assigned veterinary staff through appropriate delegation and work supervision; meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve workload and technical issues; monitors and reviews work in order to anticipate issues; recommends changes to improve the organization\'s functions and processes; prioritizes and assigns tasks; trains, counsels, coaches and instructs employees as required; ensures staff adhere to policies and procedures in compliance with local, state and federal regulations; conducts staff performance evaluations and recommends appropriate discipline as necessary.
• Substitutes, as required, for the Medical Director during temporary absences; performs necessary duties and responsibilities essential to maintaining continuity of regular operations; attends meetings, conferences, and serves on committees; compiles data, generates reports, and maintains records and files.

Minimum Qualifications

Must possess a DVM/VMD degree from an accredited university, USDA accreditation AND three (3) years\' professional veterinary experience in animal medicine, or surgery. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with ASCMV and City of Las Cruces policies.

Valid driver\'s license is preferred. If applicable, position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy. Additional technical certifications and training may be required for some incumbents in this job class.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: Veterinary science principles, practices and techniques; care and treatment of large and small animals; health, and related laws and regulations as they relate to veterinarian science services; diagnosis and treatment of a variety of animal diseases and injuries; techniques used in collection of specimens and their testing; state and federal laws, rules and regulations governing animal care, including epidemiological response techniques; animal species, nutrition, habitats, behaviors and reproduction; occupational hazards and standard safety practices; principles and practices of effective employee supervision; Knowledge of ASCMV organization, operations, policies and procedures desirable.

Skills in: Safe operation and care of veterinary equipment, radiography, monitoring and anesthetic; handling and restraining domestic and exotic animals; analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives, and recommending methods, procedures and techniques for resolution of issues; conducting research and applying the results to programs and procedures; preparing special reports, and effectively presenting information; using independent judgment and personal initiative; effectively resolving operational and personnel problems; reading and interpreting rules and regulations; exercising judgment and understanding in all situations.
Ability to: Assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands; communicate effectively in verbal and written forms; prepare clear and concise reports; document animal care and provide input to animal management; establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers, officials, regulatory agencies, and the general public.

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