Chief of Veterinary Operations
: Job Details :

If you're looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.

About Harris County Public Health: Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

Position Overview: Under the supervision of the Veterinary Public Health Director, the Chief of Veterinary Operations supervises the Veterinary Operations Section, performs spays or neuters on dogs and cats; examines, diagnoses, and treats injured and sick owned and sheltered animals; provides for the humane care and disposition of sheltered and quarantined animals; participates in planning processes; and provides insight to policy development and program budget.

• Develops the Veterinary Operations budget and provides budget oversight.
• Assists in the enforcement of applicable Texas laws & Harris County regulations and policies.
• Oversees the maintenance of shelter drug and supply inventory while meeting/maintaining DEA requirements.
• Provides medical services to all shelter animals, i.e. physical exams, diagnostics, medical rounds, and treatments. Develops, reviews, and maintains the sanitation, surgery, treatment and euthanasia protocols.
• Performs sterilization surgeries and other surgical procedures for shelter animals.
• Oversees/assists in the operation of the low-cost wellness/minor illness and injury/spay-neuter program.
• Develops and updates Standard Operating Procedures for medical care and disease control for both the Shelter and Wellness Clinic.
• Zoonosis control, i.e. reviews bite cases, evaluate quarantined animals, consults with the public & medial community concerning rabies & other zoonotic diseases.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) ###-#### or email ...@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Education:

• DVM / VMD or equivalent degree from an AVMA accredited School of Veterinary Medicine or will graduate from an accredited school of Veterinary Medicine with a doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M./V.M.D. by hire date.
• Examiners or the ability to obtain a valid veterinary license by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners by the hire date.
• Must have or obtain a USDA Accreditation within 6 months of hire date.
• Must have or obtain a DEA registration within 3 months of hire date.

Experience:

• At least eighteen (18) months of experience working in a veterinary medical environment, including some managerial or supervisory experience in a veterinary or non-veterinary environment.
• At least six (6) months surgical experience in spaying and neutering of dogs and cats.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Board Certification in shelter medicine is desired.
• Manager/supervisory experience and shelter experience is desired.
• Knowledge of Chameleon Shelter Management Software and Crystal report Writing is desired.
• Competence in high volume spay/neuter procedures is desired.
• Working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets and databases.

Core Competencies

• Ability to obtain and filter information, identify, and address key issues relevant to the achievement of strategic organizational goals.
• Exceptional project management skills to manage a variety of projects simultaneously.
• Positively influence all levels within the organization to drive change and enable effective coordination.
• Ability to create strong, positive working relationships.
• Previous experience building and managing high performance teams.
• High-level of flexibility in fast-paced environments.
• Must be a Systems-level thinker.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and mission-driven.
• Progressive, intrapreneurial leadership style to enable systemic change.

Leading Change

• Creates strategic change within and outside the organization to meet organizational goals.
• Develops new insights into situations, encourages new ideas and innovations.
• Takes a long-term view and builds a shared vision with others, acts as a catalyst for organizational change.
• Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent even under adversity.
• Recovers quickly from setbacks.

Leading People

• Fosters an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission.
• Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing ongoing feedback and providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods.
• Fosters and inspires team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust. Facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals.
• Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Anticipates and meets the needs of internal and external customers.
• Makes well-informed, effective, and timely decisions.

Building Coalitions

• Develops networks and builds alliances, collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships.
• Identifies external and internal politics that impact the work of the organization.

Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics

• Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.
• Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner and models high standards.
• Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses.

Communication

• Communicates clearly, effectively, and persuasively both orally and in writing.
• Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

• Encourage a respectful and collaborative work environment that recognizes and celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Identify inequitable practices and policies and assist in implementing strategies to ensure equitable outcomes.
• Demonstrate awareness and respect of cross-cultural differences and create inclusive programmatic solutions.
• Practice cultural humility to build honest relationships with co-workers and the community that will ultimately enhance workplace culture and deliver better community health program.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. See Resume will not be accepted for qualifications.

License/ Certification:

• Board Certification in shelter medicine is desired.

Experience:

• Manager/supervisory experience and shelter experience is desired.
• Knowledge of Chameleon Shelter Management Software and Crystal report Writing is desired.
• Competence in high volume spay/neuter procedures is desired.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a full time position.
• 40 hours a week, as required.
• Some weekend on-call shifts may be required.

Work Environment:

• This job operates in an animal shelter, animal clinic and professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines as well as medical equipment.

Physical Demands:

• Some sedentary duties and some duties would require lifting of heavy animals, bending stooping and long periods of standing/walking.

Work Location:

• Harris County Pets: Veterinary Public Health - 612 Canino Rd, Houston, TX 77076.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.

The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular(full-time) positions:

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service
  • Accrual rates increase based on years of service.
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday
• Professional development opportunities
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:

• Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
• Flexible schedule (varies by department)
• Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website: