Veterinarian

Job Description:

Veterinarian

Description

THIS IS A CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT AND CAN CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE AT ANYTIME

The Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA) is recruiting for the position of Veterinarian. This is an At-Will position, and the salary will be appointed within the listed salary range. If interested in employment for this position, please submit an online application for consideration with an attached resume included.

Current vacancy is with the Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA) located in Visalia, CA.

Position will perform high volume, high-quality spay/neuter surgeries, oversees perioperative care, diagnoses and treats medical conditions of shelter animals, vaccinates, and gives emergency treatment to impounded animals; reviews animal bite reports for rabies control, assists with animal cruelty investigations; holds the Veterinary Premise Permit and DEA License for the shelter and utilizes custom animal software.

For more Information including compensation and benefits:

Or click here!

FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS: NOVEMBER 24, 2025

Typical Duties

DUTY SAMPLE

• Diagnoses and treats diseases, illness, and injuries of shelter animals including dogs, cats, pocket pets, and occasionally farm animals.
• Oversees all aspects of veterinary surgical care including physical examination, surgery, pre-and post-operative care, anesthetic administration and monitoring, emergency care, restraint and treatment following all SOPs as put forth by Tulare County.
• Diagnose and treatment of post-surgical medical complications of animals.
• Attend staff, management, and other requested meetings. Obtain continuing education as required by Tulare County and licensing requirements.

For a full list of duties for this position, please click here .

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.

Knowledge of:

• Current veterinary principles, practices, and techniques relating to sick or injured animals.
• Rabies control laws
• Veterinary forensics and animal cruelty laws
• Shelter practices and population medicine
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations regarding health certificates and transport of animals
• High volume, high-quality spay and neuter techniques.
• Bacteriology, pathology, serology, and other veterinary laboratory procedures
• Principles of public health related to animal carried diseases.
• Supervisory principles and practices

Skill/Ability to:

• Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers.
• Operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment.
• Complete multiple priority projects with strict deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient/client information.
• Attend meetings outside of regular working hours and may work on-call to respond to emergencies.
• Perform high volume, high-quality spay and neuter surgeries daily in a fast-paced environment.
• Work a flexible schedule, including evening and weekend hours.
• Demonstrate genuine concerns, compassion and caring for animals.
• Diagnose and treat diseases among animals.
• Apply animal care knowledge in a shelter setting.
• Establish and enforce quarantine of animals.
• Gather evidence in case of violation of rules and regulations.
• Communicate in a manner that is both compassionate and informative when interacting with staff, clients and with the public.
• Ability to address emotional situations with pet owners.
• Maintain records and prepare reports.
• Effectively supervise shelter staff as it relates to veterinary care or surgery.
• Perform humane euthanasia.
• Travel within and outside Tulare County for work related activities using County vehicle.
• Organize work, determine priorities, exercise good judgment, and complete multiple tasks with deadlines under stressful conditions.
• Follow safe work practices.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in person and over the telephone.
• Write clearly to convey ideas in memos, emails, and correspondence using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Effectively utilize specialized animal software.
• File and maintain accurate records.
• Plan and complete assignments independently.
• Exhibit humane and sympathetic treatment of animals.
• Work in a loud environment while exposed to animals, animal fluids, waste and smells, and pharmaceuticals.
• Remain standing for long periods of time.
• Demonstrate hand and finger dexterity.
• Demonstrate team approach to the job by cooperating with others, offering to help others when needed, and consider larger organization or team goals.
• Demonstrate willingness to adapt and remain calm in a constantly changing and stressful work environment.
• Handle, position, and restrain live animals of both small and large animal species.
• Handle, position, lift, and move materials, equipment, and supplies.
• Retain and recall information.

Education:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited school of veterinary medicine

Experience:

• None

License or Certificate:

• Possession of a current California Veterinarian License from the Veterinary Medical Board. The required licenses MUST be current and unrestricted; a conditional, provisional, probationary, or restricted license will NOT be accepted.
• Possession of, or eligibility to obtain, a National Accreditation Number from the USDA.
• Ability to obtain a DEA license for the procurement and use of controlled substances utilized in a veterinary setting within 30 days from the date of hire into this classification. Failure to satisfy this requirement will result in separation from County employment...
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT :

Must be immunized against rabies within three (3) months of start date and maintain immunity for the duration of employment.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS


Knowledge of:

• General geography of the unincorporated areas of Tulare County.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of veterinary medical experience, one (1) year of which includes surgical experience in spaying and neutering.

Bargaining Unit 20

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP). .

Retirement : The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave : 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual :

2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.

FLSA exempt employees accrue an additional 5 days of vacation per year.

Sick Leave Accrual : 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 60 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.

Career Incentive Pay

Employees who have completed five (5) or more Years of Service with Tulare County and meet the eligibility criteria described in Administrative Regulation – 52, earn additional pay according to the schedule below.

Years of Service

% Increase

Total

5

3%

3%

10

2%

5%

15

3%

8%

20

2%

10%

Group Term Life Insurance : $30,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Long Term Disability Insurance: A Long Term Disability plan is provided. This provides financial protection for you by paying a portion of your income while you are disabled. Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation : A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.

To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/hrd/benefits-wellness/health-plans-active-employees/

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$185,000.00 - $220,000.00 Annually