Lead Shelter Veterinarian: Advanced Animal Care

AzVMA; Aurora (CO); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 123,000; Part time

Job summary

New Frontier Animal Medical Center in Aurora, CO seeks a veterinary leader to oversee shelter medical and surgical services. You will perform examinations, treatments, and surgeries such as spay/neuter, dental work, and soft tissue procedures, while ensuring proper medical records and staff oversight.

Requires a Doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine, at least 3 years in shelter medicine, and current licenses with DEA and euthanasia certification.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine required.
• At least 3 years in shelter medicine.
• Membership in veterinary association and a clean license are required.
• Euthanasia certification and DEA license needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead medical and surgical staff for the division.
• Perform exams, treatments and surgeries (spays, dentistry, orthopedic procedures).
• Provide euthanasia with training to staff and supervise medical records.

Skills

Surgical skills

Interpersonal skills

Documentation

Customer service

Shelter software

Education

Doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine

Tools

Chameleon software

Job description

Salary to be commensurate with experience

The hiring range for this position is $70.89 - $88.61/hourly

This is classified as VHNE (Variable Hour Non-Benefit Employee), where the selected candidate will work less than 29 hours per week. This position does not provide medical benefits. This position earns sick leave in accordance with the Healthy Families and Workplace Act.

The deadline to submit applications is October 30, 2026. Please note, The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

Housing and Community Development Services consists of four divisions: Neighborhood Support, Animal Services, Housing and Community Development, and Community Engagement. The mission of the Housing and Community Development Department is to maintain community appearance and enhance the quality of life in Aurora’s neighborhoods. This is accomplished through a combination of community outreach, education, code enforcement, and numerous neighborhood improvement programs and services. The staff is dedicated to forming partnerships with neighborhoods, residents, and community groups to strengthen and enhance both the social fabric and physical aspects of Aurora neighborhoods.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as the division’s lead medical and surgical staff member
Perform medical examinations and treatments on shelter animals as requested
Perform surgical procedures including but not limited to: spay/neuter, umbilical hernia repairs, dentistry, cherry eye repair, soft tissue damage, and orthopedic procedures/amputation as requested
Performs euthanasia and provide training and certification of euthanasia to Animal Services staff
Performs necropsies and decapitations as needed
Provides examination, documentation, and expert testimony in cases of animal neglect or abuse when needed for Aurora Animal Services Division
Provide oversight and direction to veterinary technicians and support staff
Aids patrons and veterinarians with questions about shelter-related illness regarding animals adopted from the Aurora Animal Shelter
Foster relationships with local veterinary clinics and local shelter veterinarians
Provide medical training to division staff to include but not limited to rabies vaccination, other appropriate vaccinations, physical examinations, implanting animal microchips, treatments and contagion identification
Represents the division, perform medical procedures at vaccination clinics and other shelter events
Provide instruction to veterinary and/or veterinary technicians students on dentals, vaccinations, and various shelter medical treatments
Maintain appropriate licensing and continuing education course requirements
Contribute to the organization protocols, policies and procedures pertaining to shelter medicine, treatment and care of shelter animals
Manage and maintain accurate medical records
Responsible for ordering, logging and all record keeping for pharmaceuticals and prescription foods using the state-issued Colorado Veterinary License.
Allow designated shelter staff to order legend pharmaceuticals, excluding Sodium Pentobarbital, using the contract veterinarian’s name and Colorado Veterinary License number
Performs other related duties as assigned.

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

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:
Doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine

Experience:
At least three (3) years of experience in shelter medicine

Licenses and Certifications Required:
Membership in a veterinary medical association or veterinary alliance
Veterinary License with clean practice record
Euthanasia Certification
DEA license
Driver's License
Knowledge:
Current veterinary standards and practices, dog and cat breed characteristics
Standard contagion practices in a shelter environment
Possess an excellent understanding of animal behavior and uses positive reinforcement techniques to interact with shelter animals

Skills:
Strong surgical skills
Strong interpersonal skills
Possess safe animal handling and restraint techniques
Provide good customer service with strong interpersonal skills
Skilled in Chameleon software or other shelter related software
Skill in data entry of medical records and logging of controlled substances and medical treatments
Motivation to always improve standard of care

Abilities:
Effectively communicate in writing
Effective time management skills with the ability to triage cases and workload
Work well in fast-paced environment
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and citizens
Handle difficult or stressful situations with tact and diplomacy
Provide humane care and treatment for a variety of animals
Pay high attention to detail
Assist in daily surgical procedures
Perform in a high pace and high stress environment
Assist with performing euthanasia on a daily basis
Operate a City vehicle

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:
When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:
Heavy physical work requiring ability to lift and carry animals and/or objects weighing up to 100 pounds with or without assistance
Frequent lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds with or without assistance
Regular walking and standing
Full range of body movements including pushing, pulling, bending, kneeling, stooping/crouching, and climbing
Foot/eye coordination to operate equipment and motor vehicle
Vision to read reports, manuals, written materials, instruments, and gauges
Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees, citizens and animals
Work is subject to bodily injury when dealing with animals
Repetitive motion associated with medical and surgical care
Frequent lifting of animals and objects with reasonable accommodation

Work Environment:
Works both indoors and outdoors in an animal shelter with exposure to dust, water, noise, vicious and/or sick animals, odors, cleaning chemicals, animal dander, feces and fumes
Handle and restrain animals of various sizes, weights, and temperaments
Subject to animal bites or scratches
Work is often performed in high noise level areas necessary

Equipment Used:
Uses a variety of tools and equipment common to veterinary, kennel and cleaning operations
Motor vehicle for transporting animals to off-site animal hospitals
Uses a variety of hand tools and equipment common to animal control operations such as a snare, syringe for euthanasia, tranquilizer gun
Wire cutters and shovel
Uses two-way radio and telephone
Personal computer with related software
This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment