Medical Director, Veterinarian

King-County,-W; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) seeks an experienced Veterinary Medical Director to lead the veterinary services program and guide the future of one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier municipal animal service organizations.

RASKC provides sheltering, animal control, licensing, adoptions, foster care, and community programs for 25 cities and unincorporated King County, with a strong commitment to public health, safety, and humane animal welfare.

Qualifications

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree.
• Unrestricted Washington veterinary license.
• DEA registration or ability to obtain.
• Progressive supervisory or management experience in veterinary medicine.
• Experience performing high-volume, quality spay/neuter surgery and shelter medicine.

Responsibilities

• Lead all veterinary clinic operations, shelter medicine programs, and medical staff.
• Supervise veterinarians, licensed veterinary technicians, and clinic volunteers.
• Establish strategic goals, policies, and performance measures.
• Oversee surgery, diagnostics, treatment, vaccination, disease prevention, and humane euthanasia.
• Lead infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response.
• Manage foster medical programs and animal population health.
• Develop and manage clinic budgets, grants, contracts, and controlled substance inventory.
• Partner with animal welfare organizations, veterinarians, universities, and community organizations.
• Participate in labor relations, organizational planning, and leadership initiatives.
• Promote Lean continuous improvement, innovation, employee engagement, and evidence-based decision making.

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent

Job description

Are you a visionary shelter medicine leader committed to advancing animal welfare, public service, and organizational excellence? Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) is seeking an experienced Animal Shelter Veterinary Medical Director to lead our veterinary services program and help shape the future of one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier municipal animal service organizations.

About RASKC

RASKC provides animal sheltering, animal control services, pet licensing, adoptions, foster care, and community programs for 25 cities and unincorporated King County. We are committed to protecting public health and safety while promoting the humane treatment of animals.

SCOPE OF JOB DUTIES:

In order to be considered minimally qualified for this role, you must demonstrate knowledge, skill and ability to perform the following:

• Lead all veterinary clinic operations, shelter medicine programs, and medical staff.
• Supervise veterinarians, licensed veterinary technicians, and clinic volunteers.
• Establish strategic goals, policies, and performance measures.
• Oversee surgery, diagnostics, treatment, vaccination, disease prevention, and humane euthanasia.
• Lead infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response.
• Manage foster medical programs and animal population health.
• Develop and manage clinic budgets, grants, contracts, and controlled substance inventory.
• Partner with animal welfare organizations, veterinarians, universities, and community organizations.
• Participate in labor relations, organizational planning, and leadership initiatives.
• Promote Lean continuous improvement, innovation, employee engagement, and evidence-based decision making.

The successful candidate is:

• A collaborative and forward-thinking leader.
• Experienced in shelter medicine and population management.
• Comfortable making timely medical and operational decisions.
• Passionate about coaching and developing employees.
• Skilled at building partnerships and communicating with diverse stakeholders.
• Data-driven and committed to continuous improvement.
• Dedicated to exceptional customer service, equity, and animal welfare.
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent.
• Unrestricted Washington veterinary license (or ability to obtain).
• DEA registration (or ability to obtain).
• Progressive supervisory or management experience in veterinary medicine.
• Experience performing high-volume, quality spay/neuter surgery and shelter medicine.

Preferred Qualifications

• Shelter medicine leadership.
• Budget development and management.
• Grant administration.
• Public sector or nonprofit leadership.
• Experience with Chameleon software.
• Lean or continuous improvement experience.

Why Join Us

• Lead a highly respected regional animal services program.
• Help open and shape a new animal shelter.
• Influence the future of shelter medicine in King County.
• Work alongside a collaborative leadership team committed to innovation, employee development, and exceptional service

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.