Behaviour Veterinarian

RSPCA Victoria; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 42,000 - 62,000; Part time

Job summary

RSPCA Victoria is seeking a dedicated Behaviour Veterinarian to deliver veterinary behavioural medicine services for dogs and cats in our shelter and clinic. The role involves supporting the Animal Care and Behaviour Teams, contributing to assessment and treatment plans, and promoting best-practice welfare across the organisation.

You will work 2 days per week, provide coaching to staff and volunteers, and help drive positive rehabilitation and enrichment initiatives while maintaining a

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Veterinary Science required and registration with Victorian Veterinary Board.
• Current Victorian Veterinary Surgeon Registration and microchipping/radiation licences are essential.
• Extensive shelter/companion animal experience, capable of handling complex medical and behavioural cases.

Responsibilities

• Provide veterinary behavioural medicine services and expert advice for shelter animals.
• Manage complex medical and behavioural cases in collaboration with care teams.
• Contribute to rehabilitation and enrichment programs and standardised procedures.
• Coach volunteers and staff on animal behaviour and welfare best practices.
• Collaborate across departments to promote compassionate, welfare-focused care.

Skills

Veterinary medicine

Shelter animals

Behaviour assessment

Team mentoring

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor of Veterinary Science

Registration: Victorian Veterinary Surgeon

Microchipping licence

Radiation licences

Job description

Permanent Part Time | 32 hours per fortnight - 2 days per week (weekdays only)

RSPCA Victoria is seeking a Behaviour Veterinarianon a permenanent basis, working 2 days per week.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in improving the welfare and rehoming outcomes of animals in our care by providing expert behavioural support across our shelter and clinic operations.

About the Role

As the Behaviour Veterinarian, you will provide behavioural medicine services and expert advice to support our shelter animals and internal stakeholders. You will work alongside the shelter Behaviourists, Behaviour Trainer and Animal Care Team to manage complex behavioural cases, contribute to behaviour assessments and treatment plans, and help drive best-practice behavioural management across the organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support RSPCA Victoria Animal Care and Behaviour Teams by providing Veterinary Behavioural advice for animals in care, specifically dogs and cats with identified behavioural concerns and those on behaviour modification medication.
• Contribute to the development and management of rehabilitation and enrichment programs, and behaviour and assessment procedures and protocols for shelter animals.
• Provide coaching and support to volunteers and staff on animal behaviour to build their capability to behavioural issues, and to provide rehabilitation and behaviour modification to animals in care.
• Provide coaching and support to staff, foster carers and adopters in the community, specifically in regard to animals on behaviour modification medication.
• Contribute to a positive and inclusive work environment by effectively communicating and working collaboratively with peers across all departments, and consistently behaving in accordance with the RSPCA Victoria values and associated policies.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A Bachelor of Veterinary Science (or equivalent).
• Current Victorian Veterinary Surgeon Registration.
• Current microchipping and radiation licences.
• Extensive experience as a veterinarian in a shelter, companion animal or private practice environment, including the ability to manage complex medical and behavioural cases.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and supporting colleagues, volunteers or students.
• The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a compassionate, welfare-focused approach.

Highly regarded

• Postgraduate qualifications in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine.
• Dog training qualifications (such as National Dog Trainers Federation, Delta Institute or equivalent).

RSPCA Victoria is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and we strongly encourage people from all cultural backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are welcome to access RSPCA Victoria’s Diversity & Inclusion Policy here.