Veterinarian - Per Diem

City of San Bernardino; San Bernardino (CA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of San Bernardino is seeking a Veterinarian - Per Diem to support the animal shelter, provide compassionate medical care to animals, and educate the community. This role emphasizes spay/neuter work, shelter medicine, and collaboration with staff to improve public health outcomes in underserved populations.

Ideal candidates bring a DVM and at least one year of clinical experience, with shelter veterinary work strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• DVM degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least 1 year of clinical animal diagnosis/treatment experience including surgery.
• Experience as a veterinarian in an animal shelter preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-volume spay/neuter surgeries and educate owners.
• Conduct exams, diagnostics, treatments, and surgeries; assist with anesthesia and post-op care.
• Maintain medical records and supervise technicians in shelter medicine.

Skills

Veterinary medicine

Surgical skills

Public health awareness

Shelter medicine

Client education

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

1 year clinical experience

Job description

Are you a recent grad or a seasoned veterinarian looking for a flexible work schedule, a love for shelter medicine, spay and neuter, and a desire to serve the community?

Consider joining the City of San Bernardino's Animal Shelter as a Veterinarian - Per Diem.

About the City:

As a future member of our team, you'll be joining a city with deep roots, cultural diversity, and exciting momentum. Located in the heart of Southern California's Inland Empire, San Bernardino is the county seat and largest city in the region, home to more than 222,000 residents. Its rich history — shaped by Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences — continues to inspire the city's evolving identity. San Bernardino offers access to major transit corridors, natural beauty, and a wide range of housing and lifestyle options. It's a place where public service careers are supported by a strong sense of community and purpose — and where motivated professionals can grow, contribute, and be part of something meaningful.

About the Position:

The City of San Bernardino is looking for a dedicated, new grad or seasoned Veterinarian, who will play a vital role in enhancing the health and well-being of animals while making a significant impact on the community. Your expertise will not only improve the lives of shelter pets but also promote public health and strengthen the bond between animals and their owners, particularly within underserved populations.

Impact on the Community:

By providing compassionate veterinary care and education, you will help bridge the gap for underserved populations, ensuring that all animals receive the care they need. Your role will not only enhance animal health but also contribute to the overall well-being of the community, promoting a healthier, more compassionate society. You have the opportunity to participate in community programs to provide veterinary services to underserved populations, ensuring access to care for all animals regardless of their owners' financial situations. Educate pet owners on responsible pet ownership, nutrition, and preventative health care to foster healthier communities.

Flexible Job Duties:

We believe in a strong work-life balance and hope a Per Diem shift opportunity will meet your needs. The number of days you would like to work each month is at your discretion. We recognize that some veterinarians may want to manage their teams, while others want to focus on shelter medicine. While spay and neuter efforts are top priorities, you will have flexibility in job duties that will allow you to adapt to the evolving needs of the community, making a lasting difference in the lives of both animals and their owners. Engage in various responsibilities, including surgery, diagnostics, emergency care, and client education, adapting to the demands of each day.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate will have high energy, a vision for the future and will see challenges as opportunities. The selected candidate has an opportunity to make a significant impact our shelter medicine program. The model candidate will be a team builder with the ability to work effectively in the tight‑knit nature of the department. The ideal candidate will have a passion for public service and see this as an opportunity to impact and improve the community in various ways.

A Day in the Life Consists Of:

• Performs high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter surgeries and educates pet owners on procedures and potential complications.
• Conducts physical exams, diagnostic tests, treatments, and surgeries; assists with anesthesia, catheter placement, and pre/post‑op monitoring.
• Humanely euthanizes animals per California law and department policies.
• Trains and guides shelter medical staff on animal care and post‑surgical recovery.
• Assists in animal cruelty investigations; may prepare reports and testify as a medical expert.
• Provides medical instructions to Registered Veterinary Technicians and oversees their clinical work.
• Monitors drug quality control and may help develop disease prevention programs.
• Maintains medical records, performs rescue/adoption health exams, and assists in emergency/disaster services.

Education and Experience:

Possession of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from an accredited college or university. AND One (1) year of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of animals in a clinical setting, private practice or animal shelter environment that includes performing surgery, including residency or clinic experience during Veterinary Medical School. Experience as Veterinarian in an animal shelter strongly preferred.

Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment:

Possession and maintenance of a valid license to practice Veterinary Medicine issued by the California Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine. Must obtain a valid Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) license within ninety (90) days of hire and maintain valid license while employed. A valid State driver's license is required. A valid California Class C driver's license is required.

Questions regarding the equivalencies listed above? Please email us at [e-mail]

Knowledge of:

• State, federal, and municipal animal health laws, regulations and ordinances governing the, care, and treatment of animals.
• Principles and practices of veterinary medicine.
• Treatment, prevention, and control of the common diseases of animals.
• Rabies control laws.
• Veterinary forensics and animal cruelty laws.
• Fundamental principles and methods of clinical diagnosis.
• Physical and behavioral characteristics of domestic animals.
• Uses and operations of computers and standard business software.
• Safety regulations and safe work practices.
• Bacteriology, pathology, serology, and other veterinary laboratory procedures
• Mathematical computations such as calculating proportions, percentages, volume, ratios, fractions.

Ability to:

• Examine, evaluate, and treat shelter animals in a professional and efficient manner.
• Perform high quality animal surgeries in a fast-paced environment.
• Administer tests for diseases in animals and interpret results.
• Handle animals (including aggressive and/or feral animals) safely, properly, and humanely.
• Make sound medical decisions that include prescribing medications and euthanasia of animals that are irremediably suffering from serious illness or severe injury.
• Train staff on basic paramedical duties and to rapidly identify animals requiring isolation or veterinary care.
• Develop and establish medical standards/procedures for the maintenance of healthy/safe/sanitary facilities.
• Explain rules and regulations regarding care and treatment of animals to staff, volunteers and the general public.
• Write reports, business correspondence, and assist in developing policies and procedures.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Maintaining confidentiality of City documents and records.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

The employee frequently works in veterinary setting or shelter. The employee is often exposed to dangerous, injured, or diseased animals. The employee is frequently exposed to wet or humid conditions; fumes or airborne articles; toxic or caustic chemicals; and zoonotic and other communicable diseases. The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud within confined areas. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to manipulate, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, walk, sit, talk, and hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Recruitment Timeline

This recruitment will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. All dates are subject to change at the discretion of the personnel officer.

Successful candidates shall be required to:

• Degree verification
• Pass a pre‑employment medical exam and Drug screen.

E-Verify Participation

The City of San Bernardino participates in the E-Verify program. In compliance with federal law, all employers are required to verify the identity and employment eligibility of individuals hired to work in the United States.

Accordingly, the City will provide information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm authorization to work in the United States.

For more information about E-Verify, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov.

Disclaimers

The City of San Bernardino is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The City follows a nepotism policy, which may impact hiring decisions if an applicant has relatives currently employed by the City.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Each request is evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department directly at (909