Veterinarian

Department:

POLICE

Compensation Grade:

D5004

Compensation Range & Starting Salary:

Pay Range: Defined plan: $150,000-$180,000
Starting salary may be negotiable based on qualifications

Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime):

Yes

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

About Us:

Recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024, the City of Virginia Beach is proud to offer a diverse and dynamic work environment. Our workforce plays a crucial role in delivering exceptional government services to both our citizens and fellow City employees. Apply now to join an organization where you truly make a difference.

Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications:

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.

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.

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.

Disqualifiers: 

The following is a list of "disqualifiers" or concerns that could result in you not being selected for employment. Please consider 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.

Additional requirements:
• DMV Transcript: Yes
• At Will: Yes

Minimum Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications: 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. Must have a current and valid driver’s 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. Successful completion of a thorough police background investigation, including polygraph examination.

Skills:

Animal Welfare, Communicable Diseases, Disease Control, Disease Prevention, Surgeries, Vaccinations, Veterinary Care, Veterinary Medicine

Working Conditions:

Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business. 

The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile.  Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position. https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/P3409.pdf

Official Job Descriptions:

To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=E

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.