A vacant Government post which has attracted newspaper headlines over the past few months was advertised in yesterday's edition of the Bermuda Sun.

Applicants are now being sought for the position of Government Veterinary Officer which was last held by Dr. Neil Burnie who retired in September of last year.

The position was set to be filled by Bermudian Dr. Susann Smith who was the Government trainee Veterinary Officer at that time.

However, Dr. Smith's contract with Personnel Services was not renewed in April after she failed to meet the expectations of her contract.

It emerged later that Dr. Smith -- who holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Alabama's Tuskegee University -- was let go after she failed on four occasions to pass a US-based licensing board exam.

And it is understood that Dr. Smith agreed, in her contract with Personnel Services, to successfully complete those exams but she has refused to confirm or deny this.

Local veterinarians say applicants for the post of Government Veterinarian must meet and exceed the standards set for those in private practice. They maintain that those wishing to practice on the Island must hold licensing credentials from a granting jurisdiction.

Dr. Smith's supporters argue that she has passed two of the three exams required for the US licence and maintain the third section -- a National Board Exam -- is irrelevant to Bermuda. Meanwhile, Dr. Smith has travelled to Jamaica where all that is required to practice on the Island is graduation from a recognised university. Upon her return she applied to register as a practising veterinarian.

It is not known whether her Jamaican credentials will be enough to win her the Government vet's seat.

The position, which carries a salary of between $68,729 and $73,795, calls for applicants to be "a qualified veterinarian with a certificate enabling him or her to practice veterinary science in Bermuda. A minimum of three years of relevant post-graduate experience is also required for this post.''