The purpose of this classification is to provide emergency, medical, and surgical veterinary care to the animals housed at the County's animal shelter and Public Safety canines owned by the county, to assist in animal cruelty investigations and to certify animals for interstate travel and transport. Performs surgical procedures on shelter animals: identifies animals requiring surgery; examines and evaluates animal's health; determines suitability of animal for surgical procedure; creates daily surgical schedule; prepares for and performs surgical procedures, such as spays, neuters, limb amputations, eye removals, wound repairs, hernia repairs, etc.; oversees and assists with premedication, induction, intubation, prep, and recovery of surgical patients; rechecks surgery sites; removes skin sutures; performs emergency procedures as needed; and maintains related records and documentation. Provides routine and complex medical care for shelter animals: triages and performs physical examinations of animals; evaluates overall health of animals; determines, performs, orders, and interprets diagnostic tests; determines, performs, and orders the performance of appropriate course of treatment; prescribes medications as needed; determines follow-up care and treatments; creates and maintains examination and treatment notes, prescription logs, etc.; notifies management of any illness/injury may be the result of neglect or cruelty; monitors shelter population for signs of major medical problems; and provides treatment and advice regarding prevention as needed. Makes recommendations regarding and performs euthanasia of animals: evaluates and determines gravity of animal's condition; recommends animals to be euthanized; and performs medically necessary euthanasia in accordance with established protocols, policies and industry standards. Manages and oversees inventory of controlled substances, such as euthanasia, tranquilizers, and other medications; ensures storage of medications in a secured location; conducts periodic inventory counts and initiates medication orders as needed; and maintains required records of medication inventory. Provides medical and surgical care for Cobb County-owned Public Safety Canines. Trains and certifies Animal Control Officers in euthanasia procedures: provides instructions on intravenous blood drawing and injecting; reviews dosage and route of administration for sedation and euthanasia solution; reviews method of determining loss of consciousness; observes Officer perform euthanasia procedures, including injecting euthanasia solution and confirming death; and reviews and signs the Georgia State Agriculture Euthanasia Certification form.

Performs related duties:

conducts physical examinations of animals for cruelty cases, transport, or related issues; performs necropsy on deceased animals; and prepares and maintains related documentation, summaries, and findings; and consults with management and other entities as needed. Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws and regulations; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; participates in committees; and attends meetings, workshops, and training sessions as appropriate. Performs other related duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Doctor of Veterinary Medicine required; supplemented by five years of experience in veterinary medicine; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Must possess and maintain the following licenses and certifications: State of Georgia Veterinary, DEA Registration, and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Tasks require the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and that may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds). Sensory Requirements Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, taste, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally. Environmental Factors Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, disease, or rude/irate customers. EEO Statement Cobb County Government is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or any other legally protected status .