We offer a wide array of programs and services to the residents and animals of Ventura County. These services include animal sheltering, pet adoptions, lost & found, field services, cruelty investigations, pet licensing, TNR surgical services, low cost vaccination clinics, volunteer/foster opportunities, and emergency disaster response. Each year, Ventura County Animal Services cares for more than 10,000 stray and surrendered animals. VCAS operates two amazing, open admission, life-saving shelters within the county: the main shelter in Camarillo has a 400-animal capacity, which can increase to over 900 during declared natural disasters and the Simi Valley Animal Shelter, which is a smaller facility offering many of the same services as the Camarillo Shelter. In 2014, VCAS became the largest Open Admission Municipal Animal Shelter in California with a Save Rate of over 90% and has maintained this rate since that time.
Benefits and Compensation
Annual Leave Redemption
Deferred Compensation Plans
Health Plans
Flexible Spending Accounts
Bilingual Incentive
12 Paid Holidays
Pension Plan
Accredited Veterinarian Incentive Pay
Student Loan Forgiveness
Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
Performs high volume, high quality spay/neuter surgeries of shelter animals including dogs, cats, and rabbits; may provide consultation and education to pet owners on spay/neuter procedures and explain possible complications;
Determines the need for diagnostic procedures and medical treatments; provides high quality shelter medicine by performing physical exams, treatments, and surgical procedures on shelter animals including assisting with administration of anesthesia, catheter placement, and pre- and post-operative monitoring;
May supervise the work of subordinate staff in the absence of the Manager- Veterinary Services;
Uses various computer software and systems to maintain records and generate correspondence;
Administers injections to humanely euthanize animals in accordance with California State Law and Department guidelines and policies;
Ensures the humane care of shelter animals and safeguards herd health by following shelter medicine industry best practices;
Provides animal first aid training to staff and serves as the point of contact to local and private veterinarians;
Participates in humane investigations, prepares written veterinary statements, and testifies in court as appropriate for animal welfare/cruelty cases;
Assists with emergency and disaster services; and
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Typical Qualifications
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE
Graduation from an accredited school of veterinary medicine recognized by the Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine of the State of California, and one (1) year of experience in the delivery of high quality spay/neuter and animal medical services which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Possession and maintenance of a valid license to practice Veterinary Medicine issued by the California Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine.
Must possess and maintain a valid California driver license.
Note to out-of-state applicants: If you currently possess a valid driver license from your state of residence, you meet this requirement and, if selected for the position, you will be afforded approximately 30 days from date of hire to obtain a California driver license.
Must obtain a valid Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) license within ninety (90) days of hire and maintain valid license while employed.
Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
Must be willing and able to work in Camarillo and Simi Valley as required.
In cases of emergency, must be willing and able to work when on-call.
As operationally required, must be willing and able to work weekends, holidays, and share on-call duties.
Application Process
If interested, submit an online application at www.ventura.org/jobs and attach your current resume and cover letter.
Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) is an open admission, life-saving, municipal animal welfare agency in the County of Ventura. The Camarillo Shelter, the main shelter, is located between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties and houses the Administrative Offices and Veterinary Hospital. The Camarillo Shelter has a 400-animal capacity which can increase to over 900 during declared natural disasters.
The Simi Valley Animal Shelter is smaller facility located three miles from Moorpark College and can house up to 40 animals. The Simi Valley Shelter, however smaller, offers many of the same services and opportunities as the Camarillo Shelter, such as the intake of stray and surrendered animals, pet adoptions, pet licensing, the reclaim of lost animals, and volunteer opportunities.
VCAS offers a wide array of programs and services to the residents and animals of Ventura County. These services include animal sheltering, pet adoptions, lost & found, field services, cruelty investigations, pet licensing, TNR surgical services, low-cost vaccination clinics, volunteer/foster opportunities and emergency disaster response.
VCAS provides contract services to the residents of Camar...illo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Simi Valley, Ventura, and all unincorporated areas of Ventura County. VCAS is dedicated to improving the lives of the animals in their care, and to safeguard the community through rabies suppression and the sheltering of stray animals.
Mission
The mission of VCAS is to improve the lives, health, safety, and well-being of animals under our care and within our community, to be timely and compassionate in our response to customer needs and concerns, to educate and empower the community through outreach and public awareness, and to provide for the health and safety of the people of Ventura County.
Vision
VCAS will be a catalyst in creating a future where we are a community able to provide for the mental, physical and emotional needs of all animals, and where the human-animal bond is supported through resources and education for pet families.
Values
Compassion: We treat people and animals with dignity, empathy, and kindness.
Integrity: We are committed to the delivery of professional services by being honest, trustworthy, transparent, and respectful.
Efficient: We utilize organizational and community resources wisely in the provision and delivery of our services.
Innovative: We encourage creative and progressive programming and strive to create an environment dedicated to continuous improvement.
Safety: We are dedicated to the enforcement of animal laws and to the health and safety of people and animals in our communities.
Inclusive: We are strongly committed to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in our daily service to the community and within our organization.