Description

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.
• 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.

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.