State of Colorado TEMPORARY AIDE - Veterinarian I Racing Division
This Temporary position is located in the Division of Racing, at the Division's Arapahoe Park and off-track facility located at 26000 E. Quincy Ave, Aurora, CO, 80016 and is responsible for assuring the safety of racing animals, to implement the Division's laboratory testing program and to assist in developing rules, regulations and guidelines pertaining to medication usage and animal welfare. This position must be a licensed veterinarian in good standing with the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine. This position is the first-level supervisor for test barn staff in the execution of duties related to the postrace drug screenings and is a key player in the chain of custody for test samples. The position will work in cooperation with (HISA) Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and (HIWU) Horseracing Integrity Welfare Unit as is subject to the HISA established rules. This position will collaborate with the chief veterinarian of the Colorado Department of Agriculture and other regulatory agencies to take measures to control communicable or reportable equine diseases. This position will work in conjunction with Colorado State University on the Colorado Racehorse Postmortem Evaluation Project. This position will provide continued support services for the enforcement and regulatory sections within Racing. The position will report to the Agent in Charge.
Animal Welfare:
• Conduct pre-race inspections per HISA (Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority) and Racing Commission regulations on all potential starters on race day.
• Recommend to the stewards any horse deemed unsafe to be raced, or a horse that it would be inhumane to allow to race.
• Conduct and/or supervise the taking of all biological specimens for testing reference the Division's/HISA Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program to include urine and blood and/or hair collection in the test barn related to race results, claiming's, and out-of-competition testing.
• Provide emergency medical care to horses as needed.
• Recommend to the stewards the scratching of any horse that is, in the opinion of the official veterinarian, injured, ill, or otherwise unable to compete due to a medical or health-related condition.
Record Keeping:
• Maintain all records related to sample collection, chain of custody, and sample destruction both in writing and digitally.
• Provide proper safeguards in the handling of all laboratory specimens to prevent tampering, confusion, or contamination and assure sample integrity.
• Complete written reports for stewards' recommendations and veterinarian lists.
• Review and consult on the license applications of attending veterinarians, veterinary technicians or assistants, vendors of medical supplies and equipment, and non-veterinarian health care providers. Report to the Equine Medical Director and submit to HISA the names of all horses euthanized or which otherwise expire and the reasons, therefore.
• Determine what details and information are required for reports and documentation to be given to outside entities.
Test Barn Supervision:
• Oversee the temporary veterinarian staff and scheduling for the test barn, including the coordination of work duties and procedures.
• Communicate with racetrack staff and security and Division employees to ensure the security requirements of the test barn area during live racing and otherwise.
• Ensure the test barn is properly equipped and maintain the physical working conditions for horses and all staff.
• Work with horsemen representatives and interests to ensure the security and integrity of all samples collected.
Other Duties as Assigned:
• Attend meetings and complete secondary duties such as special projects or administrative matters as assigned.
• Testify as the Division's Regulatory Veterinarian in administrative hearings and other administrative and/or criminal proceedings when necessary.
• Complete, on an annual basis, a minimum of eight hours of continuing education specifically applicable to racetrack veterinarian practice.
• Assist other Division staff in their duties via knowledge and industry expertise.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
Current valid License to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Colorado.
Necessary Special Requirements:
• In state travel required as needed.
• Applicants must possess a valid Colorado driver's license.
Conditions of Employment:
• Applicants must be willing to work nights, weekends, holidays, and maintain on-call status while off-duty for emergency response.
• Applicants must be willing and able to perform lifting, carrying, or otherwise moving objects, occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• Random drug tests may be required of all positions.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Determine the necessary course of action based on the appropriate situation with State of Colorado rules and regulations or policy.
• Require veterinary knowledge and expertise along with knowledge of racing requirements and risk.
• Ensuring compliance with veterinary ethics and relevant statutes, policies, and procedures.
• Research and provide expert opinions on suitability of staff, supplies, and equipment.
• Determine what content and information is required for reports.
• Requires flexibility for analysis, goal setting, and completion of non-routine tasks.
• Outstanding Communication Skills.
• Strong affinity for animals.
• Ability to make prudent decisions regarding the welfare and well-being of animals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proficiency in Google Suite.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
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