Chief Veterinarian

We are looking for a permanent chief veterinarian for supervisory duties in veterinary care for the Lahti environmental health unit. The task offers a versatile combination of management, development and practical veterinary work. The work focuses on office hours and administrative tasks, but may also include practice. Work can be done partially remotely. The chief veterinarian takes care of the functionality of Lahti's veterinary care, which includes actual animal practice as well as animal protection and animal disease control. Our professional clinic manager acts as a close partner to the chief veterinarian, in addition to close cooperation with the city veterinarian, practitioners and supervisory veterinarians. The duties of the responsible veterinarian include, among other things: - acting as the immediate supervisor of veterinary care, - responding to the duties belonging to the municipal veterinarian and the operation of the small animal emergency service, including the administration of the clinic and emergency service (e.g. shift planning and recruitment) and tasks and reporting according to the new veterinary care law, - administration of the financial matters of veterinary care, - other administrative tasks related to veterinary care in the municipality and - possible participation in the emergency service. Lahti Environmental Health is responsible for supervision according to the Food Act, Health Protection Act and Tobacco Act, veterinary care and supervision according to the Animal Welfare and Animal Disease Act in its area of operation. The city veterinarian acts as the head of environmental health and as the supervisor of the chief veterinarian. In veterinary care, in addition to the chief veterinarian, there are four practitioner veterinarians in three positions, two supervisory veterinarians and two veterinary assistants. One of the assistants acts as the clinic manager. In addition, we have a varying number of external emergency veterinarians working with us. Day practice is very small animal-oriented, but may also include large animals and assisting supervisory veterinarians. During emergency hours, Lahti is responsible for the small animal emergency service of the entire Päijät-Häme region as well as acute animal protection and animal disease tasks in the Lahti area. The emergency service is organized at the City of Lahti's veterinary clinic. The clinic's equipment includes digital X-ray, ultrasound, inhalation anesthesia, oxygen concentrator, tartar removal device and basic laboratory equipment. The eligibility requirement is the eligibility stipulated in Section 16 of the Veterinary Care Act (765/2009), i.e. the competence of a licensed veterinarian in Finland and familiarity with the tasks included in the office. A veterinarian who is licensed as a veterinarian in accordance with Section 4 of the Act on the Practice of a Profession (29/2000) (graduated in another EU/EEA country) must present a certificate from the Finnish Food Authority on eligibility for the office of municipal veterinarian. We are looking for an enthusiastic and positive team player who wants to be involved in building a functional everyday life and a good work community. We value: - initiative, a responsible and developing approach to work and good cooperation skills - practice experience, - experience of municipal veterinary care and official duties or similar tasks, - knowledge of administration in municipal decision-making and - fluent written and oral skills in Finnish. Experience in supervisory work, clinic administration, animal welfare supervision and financial administration is considered an advantage for the applicant. We offer: - versatile and responsible work, - partial remote work possibility, - the possibility to combine management, development and clinical work, - a pleasant and professional work community and - a permanent official relationship. The task begins on 1.10.2026 or by agreement. The task follows a 6-month probationary period. The terms of the service relationship are determined according to KVTES. The level salary of the chief veterinarian is €5,729.95/month. The level salary of the practitioner is €2,848.63/month. The monthly salary is determined according to the amount of practice included in the task. Applications via the Kuntarekry.fi system by 24.8.2026 at 9.00.