Veterinary Officer vacancy in the Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy of the HKJC

The Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy of the HKJC

The Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy works closely with the Club’s Racing Control, Racing Laboratory and Department of Veterinary Clinical Services to maintain the quality and integrity of Hong Kong racing, and protect and continually improve the welfare and safety of racehorses and jockeys.

The Job

You will:

• Play a critical role in protecting the welfare and safety of horses and jockeys and upholding the integrity of racing in an environment that supports optimum regulatory practice and sets the global benchmark for horseracing excellence.
• Provide leadership and direction on issues that have the potential to impact the future success of racing and improve the welfare outcomes for horses internationally.
• Perform pre-race veterinary inspections and review veterinary histories to establish suitability to race.
• Assess the health and welfare of racehorses in training, racing and on retirement.
• Liaise with the Club’s Racing Control Department in developing, implementing and managing the Rules and Instructions of Racing relating to horse health, welfare, medication policy and veterinary matters.
• Liaise with the Club’s Racing Laboratory over matters pertaining to the control of prohibited substances and assist in conducting prohibited substance administration trials.
• Officiate at race meetings and barrier trials and oversee the collection of forensic samples.
• Perform post-race veterinary inspections to identify racing injuries and other conditions that may affect the health or welfare of racehorses and which may have affected racing performance.
• Assist in the investigation of breaches of the Rules of Racing and other veterinary and horse welfare matters, prepare reports and statements and act as an expert witness at inquiries and appeals.
• Review incidents of horse injury to identify causative factors and where possible, recommend corrective measures.
• Evaluate veterinary reports to manage the veterinary suitability of racehorses for importation into Hong Kong.
• Liaise with Hong Kong Government and overseas veterinary and horse racing authorities on matters relating to the import and export of horses, disease control, biosecurity and international racing.
• Contribute to formulating and delivering education and learning modules on horse health, welfare, racing integrity and biosecurity.

About You

You should:

• Have a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent qualification, in veterinary science acceptable for registration with the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Hong Kong – please see ‘Application for Registration’ under ‘Guide to Applicants’ at https://vsbhk.org.hk/index.html.
• Have considerable clinical experience as a racehorse veterinarian; and preferably, experience in veterinary regulation, management and administration.
• Have a sound understanding of the racing industry and a proven ability to make fair, rational, consistent and defensible decisions.
• Have a genuine desire to work in veterinary regulation and to apply an epidemiological / population medicine approach to the monitoring and minimisation of equine injury and disease.
• Maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity.

Terms of Employment

The level of appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Contract employment will be offered to the successful candidate. Contract renewal will be subject to mutual agreement between the Club and the individual.

Closing Date

Closing date for applications is 15 March 2019. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.