Arizona Department of Gaming

Address: Gaming Office: 100 N. 15th Avenue, Suite 202 Phoenix, AZ 85007  

Turf Paradise: 1501 W Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85023

Arizona Downs: 10501 E, AZ-89A, Prescott Valley, AZ 86315

Salary: $80,000 – $100,000.00 

Grade: 27

Official Classification Title: Veterinarian

Closing Date: Open Till Filled

The Veterinarian provides professional veterinary expertise at racetracks regarding regulatory medicine and assists in the supervision of the medication program and test barn activities for the Department. Oversees test barn activities including the collection and processing of blood and urine samples and all related record keeping. Direct oversight of test barn staff and the maintenance of the Test Barn Standard Operating Procedures and Protocols. Performs pre-race inspections to ensure soundness of all animals. Maintains records on horses placed on the veterinarian’s list and reviews records for adherence to state rules and provides oversight and guidance regarding the ethical practices of practicing veterinarians.

Serves as a professional advisor to the Commission, Department and Stewards on drugs and medications. Provides advice, materials and testimony including representing the Division and Commission at meetings and hearings. Assists in investigations, recommends policies and procedures for rule changes concerning the Division to the Director. Acts as the liaison with contract testing laboratory and conducts an annual review of the services provided.

All work, should be performed within Arizona, unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Plans, organizes, directs and supervises the collection of urine, blood, and hair samples for chemical analysis.
• Establish and follow test barn best practices and procedures to maintain sample chain of custody, and testing records.
  
• Supervises and/or assists officials and/or conducts identification of racing animals including physical examination for determination of racing soundness.  
• Safety of veterinary personnel, participants and racing animals.
  
• Provides professional advice, materials and testimony including representing the Department and Commission at meetings and hearings
• Serves as professional adviser to the Commission, Department and Stewards on drugs
  and medication.
  
• Maintains Veterinarian List, Veterinarian Assistant and veterinarian records, ethical
  practices as outlined by the Equine Practitioner.
• Examine Reports of practicing Veterinarians for adherence to the rules and regulations.
• Compile, prepare and submit monthly report to Manager concerning veterinary or chemical activities.
• Examines stable areas to determine that sanitation, health and humane standards and
  animal first aid are adequate.
  
• Recommends to the stewards any racing animal deemed unfit to race be scratched; maintain examination findings in national database; reports to the stewards inhumane actions and all manners of neglect, mosquito, fly and communicable disease control.
  
• Administer first Aid to injured animals', euthanasia procedures; Reports death of racing animals to national racing authority.
• Work with Association Veterinarian to submit horses for post-mortem examinations at veterinary diagnostic laboratories.
  
• Assists in investigations, recommends policy and procedure and rule changes to staff and managers.
• Maintain rules and regulations for all new rules and rule changes for the Veterinary section.
  
• Annually review Chemical Analysis contract with management. Liaison with laboratories, experimental research, interpretation of sample results, special testing upon requests, and other personnel to assist in testing. Submits reports on special laboratory samples work; keeps record on permanent pathology.
  

Knowledge of:

• Veterinary medicine.
• Racing animals.
• Racetrack veterinary medicine.
• ARCI Model Rules.
• RMTC Best Practices for Test Barn Management and Chain of Custody protocols.
• Racing animal anatomy.
• How do identify horse racing Animals by the use of National Association registration documents.
• Investigative techniques, procedures, and ability to prepare accurate records.
• How to handle and control excitable horse racing animals.
• Different breeds and racing equipment used in horse racing.
• Horsemanship.
• Different breeds and racing equipment used in horse racing.
• Adobe Acrobat, G-Suite/Workspace, and Microsoft Office software.

Skills in:

• Verbal and written communication.
• Advanced technology
• Exceptional management and planning skills.
• Proper handling of horse-racing animals. Interpretation of track procedures.
• Continuity of evidence.
• Observation and detecting violations of rules and regulations in Paddock area.
• Presenting a pleasant impression at all times in performing duties and conduct self in the courteous and temperate fashion.
• Organizing where priorities to accomplish multitude of activities.
• Making efficient judgments
• Developing reports.
• Gathering facts, organizing, and comprehending information to make logical interpretations necessary to perform operational duties.
• Critical reading and thinking.
• Time management.

Ability to:

• Administer and supervise state Veterinary personnel and track Veterinarians.
• Plan and evaluate the work of field personnel in the racing industry.
• Understand, interpret, ad explain the rules and regulations of the Arizona Department of Gaming.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public.
• Respond to inquiries with tact, diplomacy, and appropriate timely information.
• Organize, prioritize and perform multiple tasks on a daily basis.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Be detail oriented.
• Multitask and meet deadlines.
• Be analytical.
• Communicate effectively in an empathetic and professional manner.
• Work with a high degree of independence and initiative.
• Be highly observant.
• Travel, which may include overnight stays.
• Work remotely (from home).
• Work in a smoke and high dust environment and must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
• Work at all racetrack locations within the State, throughout the year.

• Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (Required).
• Arizona State Veterinary Medicine Examining Board License (Required).
• Two (2) years experience with racing Animals.

Candidates for this position will be required to submit to a criminal history investigation. Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Gaming Recruitment at HumanResources@azgaming.gov or at (602) 771-4263 for assistance. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting Elvis Reyes Ereyes@azgaming.gov or at (602) 639-1468. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.