Foothills Animal Shelter seeks a shelter veterinarian committed to promoting the physical and emotional wellness of shelter animals and community owned pets through innovative programs and services and compassionate veterinary care.

ABOUT FOOTHILLS ANIMAL SHELTER

As an open admission shelter, our doors are always open to pets in Jefferson County, Colorado, and we are committed to serving our community as a socially conscious shelter. We care for more than 7,000 dogs, cats, and small animals every year with a compassionate team of staff and volunteers.

WHY JOIN US?

• Our shelter is conveniently located between Denver, CO, and the magnificent Rocky Mountains, so you get the best of both worlds: access to all the cultural benefits of a major urban area while only a short drive to the mountain adventure of your choosing.
• We strive for a healthy work-life balance, and most full-time positions enjoy a four-day work week, including our shelter veterinarians.
• Our veterinary and behavior support teams are 100% dedicated to the well-being of our shelter animals. They work hard, care deeply, and inspire us daily.
• You will join a team of behavioral experts and in collaboration with those staff will provide medical interventions to aid the rehoming of dogs and cats suffering from a variety of behavioral concerns.
• Our shelter veterinarians have minimal patron contact responsibilities, and our veterinary support team handles most administrative tasks. This means less time on the phone or answering email and more time practicing medicine!
• All of our staff and volunteers are Fear Free Shelter Certified, and we strive to implement fear-free strategies to improve the emotional experience of the animals in our care.

BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance base plan premiums are 100% paid by Foothills Animal Shelter for employee-only coverage
• Short-term disability, life insurance, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, and health savings account options available
• Retirement plan with 3% employer match and immediate vesting*
• Three weeks of vacation time earned on an accrual basis*
• Paid sick leave earned on an accrual basis*
• Six paid holidays
• Four floating holidays*
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

ADDITIONAL DVM BENEFITS

• Access to Shelter VIN membership*
• PLIT insurance reimbursement*
• DEA license reimbursement*
• CO vet license reimbursement*
• CE reimbursement of $1,200 annually*
• Paid time to attend CE*
• Relocation allowance*

• Benefits available to part-time employees

Foothills Animal Shelter is a public service student loan forgiveness qualified employer

COMPENSATION

$100,000 - $130,000 annually, based on full-time employment (salary, time off, CE, and relocation benefits prorated for part-time employment).

SCHEDULE

Variable, generally four 10-hour days with alternating Saturdays

RESPONSIBILITIES

Veterinary Services

• Oversees the medical care of approximately 150-200 shelter animals daily.
• Performs sterilization surgeries, dentistry, and other surgical procedures.
• Oversees the treatment of shelter animals, conducts medical rounds, and maintains accurate medical records within the shelter database.
• Provides emergency care to injured animals brought to the Shelter.
• Serves as subject matter expert for animal cruelty cases within Jefferson County. Works with city and county animal protection officers to evaluate, document, and testify to the condition of animals involved in court cases.
• Leads the Shelter's weekly vaccine clinic with shelter staff and volunteers.
• Establishes and evaluates the disease control protocols for the shelter. Develops and improves standard operating procedures.

Staff Development

• Serves as a role model for the culture of the department and the organization. Maintains a positive and professional attitude with staff, volunteers, and patrons.
• Models Fear Free veterinary practices and trains staff in Fear Free techniques.
• Advises and trains staff on veterinary topics and procedures to ensure herd health including administering vaccinations, deworming, medications, and quarantine/isolation procedures.
• Trains and certifies shelter personnel in euthanasia skills and procedures.
• Provides direct instruction and skills training to veterinary staff, assesses skills, and makes recommendations for the promotion of veterinary personnel.
• Supports the veterinary technician apprenticeship program by training and certifying skills attained by the veterinary technician apprentice.

Interdepartmental Collaboration

• Maintains effective communication with staff to coordinate and direct the medical functions of the shelter.
• Collaborates with the director of animal behavior and sheltering to balance the emotional and physical wellbeing of the shelter animals, including the use of behavior medication therapies to aid behavior support efforts. Stays abreast of the scientific literature related to the use of pharmaceuticals in supporting animal behavior modification strategies and treatment of emotional disorders.
• Collaborates with the better together program manager to advance the Better Together program and community initiatives.
• Collaborates with the development team to identify animals and stories appropriate for fundraising initiatives.
• Collaborates with the shelter services team to support the needs of animals undergoing medical treatment and communicate appropriately with associated patrons.
• Collaborates with the behavior team to support the emotional needs of animals undergoing medical treatments and to appropriately communicate behavior observations and progress.

Safety

• Promotes and follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment.
• Takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance with OSHA safety rules that could put a staff member, volunteer, patron, animal, or the organization at risk.

Other Duties

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) from an AVMA accredited school of veterinary medicine.
• Veterinary license in good standing.
• Must hold or be eligible to obtain a current DEA license and have a current veterinary malpractice insurance policy.
• Shelter medicine experience preferred. Mentorship available for those making the move to shelter medicine.
• Fear Free Shelter certified or become Fear Free Shelter certified within 60 days of employment.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Analyze and solve problems effectively.
• Work cooperatively within a team environment.
• Work effectively with volunteers.
• Provide constructive feedback in a positive manner.
• Facilitate difficult conversations.
• Remain calm in emergency situations.
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions

• Exposure to anesthesia gases, medications/drugs (controlled and non-controlled), and x-ray radiation.
• 10-hour days spent standing on concrete floors, walking, bending, kneeling, and stooping.
• Exposure to pet dander, fumes, dust, odors, bodily fluids, chemicals, parasites, and zoonotic diseases.
• Subject to animal bites or scratches.
• Work performed in areas with high levels of noise.