GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
This position leads, oversees, manages, and coordinates the operations of Burke County’s Program of Veterinary Care (“Veterinary Care”). This role is responsible for ensuring the timely and appropriate medical treatment of animals in our care, providing leadership in clinical decision-making, and upholding the highest standards of animal welfare and public safety.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To successfully perform this position, an individual must be able to perform the following:
• Oversee, care, and attend to all animals within Veterinary Care; provides health examinations, medical treatments, and surgical procedures for animals
• Coordinate and implement veterinary protocols and standard operating guidelines, complying with all relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations; conducts weekly rounds at the animal shelter to provide veterinary services
• Perform and/or oversee spay/neuter surgeries and other surgical procedures that can be managed in-house, reducing reliance on outside providers.
• Make medical and humane euthanasia decisions when necessary, and carry out procedures in accordance with North Carolina laws and ethical standards.
• Lead the operation of the medical clinic at shelter facility, ensuring efficient workflows, sanitation, and compassionate care.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations related to veterinary licensing, controlled substances, and medical protocols.
• Work closely with shelter leadership and staff to ensure continuity of care, and contribute to developing policies and protocols to improve outcomes.
• Identify additional procedures that can be brought in-house and work collaboratively with the management team to expand in-shelter veterinary services.
• Interact with and assist the general public via telephone, email, or in person to provide support, information, and assistance involving veterinary care of animal needs
• Maintain the inventory and supplies necessary to perform veterinary services
• Work while wearing personal protective equipment (“PPE”) on all requests for services and wears additional PPE as necessary
• Treat all animals humanely, properly, and with compassion in the performance of duties
• Perform other duties as required or assigned
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an accredited institution.
• Experience in shelter medicine, spay/neuter, and population medicine preferred
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (UPON HIRE, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED):
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License
• Active Veterinary license within the state of North Carolina
• DEA registration for handling controlled substances
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES:
• Standard vision requirements, with or without corrective lenses
• Occasionally spends time climbing or balancing
• Occasionally lifts up to fifty (50) pounds
• Frequently lifts up to twenty-five (25) pounds
• Frequently spends time walking, standing, sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands and fingers to handle, feel, type, or text, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling, and engaging in repetitive motions
• Exposed to the following working conditions:
o Individuals occasionally work in high, precarious places
o Individuals are occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, vibrations, zoonotic diseases, and bloodborne pathogens
o Individuals are routinely exposed to outdoor weather conditions
o Individuals are frequently exposed to wet, humid conditions
o Individuals frequently work near moving mechanical parts
• Working in situations without following safety measures and not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (“PPE”) may result in situations that could result in accidents
• Frequently subjected to loud noises
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:
• Proficient in spoken and written English
• Ability to interact with a wide range of animal species
• Ability to convey detailed instructions loudly, accurately, and/or quickly
• Ability to receive detailed instructions or information through verbal communication
• Ability to analyze written or computer data
• Ability to engage in visual inspections involving small parts
• Ability to recognize information at normal spoken word volume levels
• Ability to use measuring devices
• Ability to use systems, technologies, motor vehicles, and machines necessary to perform veterinary services
• Ability to observe general surroundings and activities
• Demonstrates organizational and time management skills
This Job Description is not designed to be an exhaustive list of the position’s duties, activities, and responsibilities. Instead, it is a summary of the typical duties, activities, and responsibilities, which may change at any time with or without notice. A current copy of this Job Description is maintained with the Human Resources Department.
