Animal Services Veterinarian

Spokane County; United States; On-site; USD 112,288 - 157,159; Full time

Job summary

Spokane County is hiring a Veterinarian to provide high volume spay/neuter surgeries and routine medical care for shelter animals. Responsible for performing emergency surgeries and ensuring compliance with state regulations, applicants must possess a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a state license.

Additionally, the veterinarian will supervise staff, maintain surgical records, and contribute to the development of departmental goals. Compensation ranges from $112,288.40 to $157,159.93 annually with total compensation estimates between $143,729 and $201,165.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain appropriate permits to acquire and administer Class II drugs.
• Licensed as a WA State Veterinarian.

Responsibilities

• Perform high volume spay/neuter surgeries for shelter animals.
• Evaluate and diagnose injuries and illnesses.
• Provide veterinary medical and preventative care for animals.

Skills

Knowledge of shelter veterinary medicine and small animal herd health management

Skilled in performing surgical procedures

Ability to interact with people from various backgrounds

Knowledge of humane animal treatment

Skilled in effective communication

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Job Summary

Employee Type: Regular
Department: SCRAPS
GENERAL PURPOSE: This position is responsible for performing high volume spay/neuter surgeries and other routine and emergency surgeries for shelter animals. It serves under the management authority of the Regional Director and provides a range of quality veterinary surgical services for shelter animals. Work is performed with considerable independence, in accordance with best practices and State and Federal requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides veterinary medical and preventative care for the animals, including spay/neuter procedures, rabies vaccinations, emergency care, end‑of‑life care, and making medical decisions for animals in various stages of health and healing.
• Performs high volume of spay/neuter surgeries for shelter animals.
• Evaluates and diagnoses injuries and illnesses and determines the best course of treatment.
• Stabilizes ill and injured animals and monitors progress.
• Performs all aspects of routine and emergency surgical procedures, including enucleations, mass removals, dental extractions, soft tissue damage repair, orthopedic procedures and amputations.
• Authorizes and performs euthanasia on animals for medical or emergency reasons; provides guidance and consultation to field and shelter operations staff regarding euthanasia determinations.
• Develops, reviews and implements standard operations procedures and guidelines for the veterinary medical care division.
• Updates and maintains electronic surgical records for all shelter animals.
• Directs and supervises the work of medical division staff and volunteers assisting with surgery in the veterinary clinic.
• Selects, trains, assigns work, monitors leave usage/hours worked, mentors, motivates and evaluates assigned staff.
• Purchases and maintains an accurate inventory of FDA controlled substances and other medications required for surgery or medical treatment of animals.
• Reviews documentation/reports by shelter staff and volunteers; answers questions and provides expert guidance as needed.
• Provides examination, documentation and expert testimony in cases involving animal neglect or abuse, as needed.
• Contributes to the development of department goals and objectives supporting the mission of SCRAPS and Spokane County.
• Participates in program development, evaluation and improvement.
• Ensures fiscal responsibility in implementing effective and efficient protocols.
• Stays current on best practices, new developments and trends in the field of veterinary medicine; attends conferences, workshops and trainings; reviews industry publications.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. One (1) year of experience working in veterinary medicine. Must possess or have the ability to obtain appropriate permits to acquire and administer Class II drugs. Licensed as a WA State Veterinarian. Requires successful completion of criminal background check. Possession of a valid Driver's License at time of hire and for the duration of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of shelter veterinary medicine and small animal herd health management.
• Knowledge of small animal medicine and surgery.
• Knowledge of animal welfare, handling, health, behavior and nutrition.
• Knowledge of humane animal treatment.
• Knowledge of appropriate record keeping requirements for Schedule II narcotics and biohazard waste.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Skilled in the use of personal computers and software related to job duties (MS Office Suite).
• Skilled in performing surgical procedures and making medical assessments.
• Ability to perform high‑volume spay/neuter procedures while maintaining excellence in patient care.
• Ability to perform routine and emergency surgeries (e.g., eye enucleations, leg amputations).
• Ability to evaluate physical well‑being, diagnose injury or disease, and establish treatment plans.
• Ability to uphold the veterinary code of ethics.
• Ability to interact with people from various backgrounds and experience in all types of situations.
• Ability to effectively diagnose and evaluate issues, consistently displaying sound judgement.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism in high stress situations.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate reports, records, logs and filing systems.
• Ability to provide technical guidance to department staff and volunteers.

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS

• Respect: Appreciating and valuing customers, other County employees and County leadership by showing courtesy, friendliness and fairness, and communicating in a productive professional manner.
• Accountability: Honoring and delivering on commitments by taking responsibility for personal actions and results.
• Integrity: Modeling transparent and ethical behavior and demonstrating it with honest and trustworthy actions, leading by example and performing work to the highest standards.
• Innovation: Striving for excellence by actively pursuing opportunities for new and improved methods, procedures or technologies; fostering an environment of engagement and empowerment and embracing continuous improvement.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment is primarily inside, where the noise and temperature levels are moderate. Work is also performed outdoors and requires occasional travel within the County, exposing the associate to weather extremes, various forms of precipitation and the hazards associated with travel on public roads.

COMPENSATION

Salary: $112,288.40 - $157,159.93 annually ($9,357.37 - $13,096.66 monthly; $53.98 - $75.56 hourly). Total compensation estimate: $143,729 - $201,165 annually, based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer‑paid benefit contributions.