Veterinarian-Hybrid chez Heluna Health

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Heluna Health seek a Veterinarian position to join the Center for Laboratory Science team.  Under the direction of the branch chief, the veterinarian is responsible for maintaining compliance and accreditation of the CDPH CLS Animal Facility and other CLS animal-related services by planning, organizing, and conducting inspections, investigation, protocol review, and occupational health and safety review.  

This position will also work with CDPH CLS programs to provide Veterinary Science technical expertise on animal-related activities and emergency response.  The veterinarian will also assist with the development and maintenance of a variety of written and electronic materials, including CDPH emergency and continuity plans, facility manuals, emergency response procedures, health and safety guidance documents, staff training materials, policies, inspection reports, and action plan. The position will work both independently and collaboratively as part of a cross-functional team. 

Must submit a resume with the application. 

May be required to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.

This is a part time 5% FTE (5 hours a week) at $240.29 per hour. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct routine monitoring, pre-inspection preparation, and inspection of the animal facility to ensure compliance and accreditation of the facility by working closely with the Institutional Official (IO) of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
• Provide final report and findings, updates, recommendations, and new regulations/laws to the IACUC committee.
• Perform annual review and update of the Animal Use and Care Program Description document, protocol review, review of animal welfare concerns.
• Provide training and educational resources for Animal Facility staff, CDPH partners, public health agencies, and the public. 
• Provide guidance and recommendations on staff safety when working and handling animals and associated equipment, including allergy prevention, noise and hearing protection, required vaccinations, and other relevant Occupational Health items.  
• Act as lead in resolving deficiencies by providing action plans and recommendations to the Institutional Official on any aspect of the animal program, facilities, personnel training, and all activities related to the care and use of animals.  
• Approve proposed significant changes to the use of animals in ongoing activities and suspend any activity involving animals.
• Participate in multi-agency responses to investigate public complaints or cases filed against research laboratories using rats, mice, or birds under the CDPH California Laboratory Animal Use and Approval Program.  
• Identify violation(s) and actions for noncompliance or violation of the Animal Welfare Regulations. Reviews permit applications and conducts on-site evaluation of quarantine operations.  
• Provide assistance on regulatory activities that are covered by services provided by CLS, including Public Record Act (PRA) activities and reporting to the CDPH animal testing internet portal.
• Provide emergency response and euthanasia services as part of the Continuity of Operations Plan during Catastrophic event and for noncompliance or violation of the Animal Welfare Regulations.  
• Provide veterinary expertise or support to other CLS laboratory animal programs 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 3 years work experience as a veterinarian.  
• Extensive experience writing complex technical documents such as guidance and policy documents, reports, action plans, descriptive manuals and guides.
• Experience working with PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Adobe, and Zoom
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to tailor documents and messages for a variety of stakeholders.
• Advanced interpersonal communication skills, including active listening and effective collaboration skills.
• Advanced judgement, analytical and decision-making skills and advanced diplomacy for navigating sensitive issues.
• Discretion in handling confidential documents or issues.

Education/Experience  

Required

• Current and valid California state veterinary license.
• Graduation from a veterinary school accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association or has a certification from the AVMA (if a foreign graduate).  
• Completed training in the care and management of laboratory animals, preferred wildlife medicine or related area and/or equivalent experience
• Skilled at adapting tone and content to ensure clarity and engagement across stakeholder groups.
• Experience coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, gathering input from subject matter experts, and managing revisions to ensure documents meet the needs of all stakeholders and align with project goals.

Preferred

• Deep understanding of laws that govern animal care, use, approval, compliance and regulation; health and safety; and public health principles.
• Working knowledge of State and/or Federal-level public health response policies relating to emergency response and recovery.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand: Frequently

Walk: Frequently

Sit: Frequently

Handling / Fingering: Occasionally

Reach Outward: Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally

Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 20 lbs

Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 20 lbs

See: Constantly

Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions

Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)

Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs/day)

Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)

Key: 

• Not Applicable Not required for essential functions
• Occasionally      (0 - 2 hrs/day)
• Frequently    (2 - 5 hrs/day)
• Constantly    (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled 

This position is hybrid and must be available during normal Pacific Time Zone working hours.  Must have functioning internet access in remote location.  

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.