Job Post

Veterinarian – Animal Shelter

Company Name: Dumb Friends League
Company Website: http://ddfl.org
Location: Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Category: Field

This role is critical in providing veterinary care in fast-paced, mission-driven environment. Staff veterinarians are the foundation of the League’s veterinary team. Working in partnership with teams across the League, you will help homeless pets find homes and owned pets keep their homes, prevent and alleviate suffering, enhance the dignity of our patrons, and collaborate with our veterinary community.

Responsibilities

  • Provide outstanding veterinary care to homeless and owned pets, including physical exams, diagnostics, treatment plans, shelter and owner requested euthanasia, and necropsies.
  • Perform surgical procedures on a regular basis including HQ/HV spay/neuter, dentistry, and various soft tissue and possibly orthopedic procedures.
  • Lead the management of cases, advocating for the best outcome for individual animals within the League’s scope of care.
  • Practice incremental medicine, using critical thinking and decision-making skills within the League’s scope of care.
  • Participate in euthanasia and euthanasia decision making through a compassionate, thoughtful approach within the shelter and with patrons seeking end of life services for their pet.
  • Effectively and compassionately communicate with owners of pets and the community.
  • Partner with other departments to effectively and efficiently coordinate care and quarantine of infectious disease animals.
  • Contribute to and support a culture of learning generally, and specifically for colleagues, veterinary interns and externs, and veterinary support staff.
  • Work with investigations staff regarding the evaluation, documentation, and testimony about the condition of animals involved in cruelty and neglect cases, including testifying if needed.
  • Consult and provide assistance to patrons and external veterinarians regarding animals cared for by the League.
  • Assist with delivering League specific training programs regarding veterinary care as requested.
  • Contribute to and help maintain a culture of collaboration and teamwork within Veterinary Services and across the League.
  • Contribute to initiatives to improve processes and procedures.
  • Manage and maintain accurate medical and surgical records.
  • Remain current on trends in veterinary medicine, and in shelter medicine in particular.
  • Work, when requested, with the League’s Community Veterinary Services team, providing urgent care services for owned pets, HQ/HV spay/neuter services and vaccination clinics.
  • Assume periodic overnight on call responsibilities for shelter and foster animals, by phone, in support of overnight staff.

People Care

People are the key to fulfilling our mission. Making internal and external patrons and their needs a primary focus is expected in all situations. This position interacts with and collaborates with employees at all levels of the organization. Communication occurs through face to face, telephone, and electronic interactions and may also include contact with the general public and League business partners. Communication and contact must be clear, understandable, cooperative, professional and respectful in all circumstances. Employees are expected to actively support a positive team environment, directly address conflict, and appropriately express concerns.

Competencies

Competencies are work behaviors and expectations necessary for successful job performance. They encompass knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and actions. Additional definitions for competencies may be obtained from Human Resources

Organizational Key Competencies

  • Integrity and Ethics
  • Adapting to Change and Ambiguity
  • Customer and Community Focus
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Excellence

Position Key Competencies

  • Analytical Thinking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Team Player
  • Conflict Management
  • Community Partnerships
  • Strong Leadership
  • Fiscal Responsibility
  • Innovation
  • Strategic Thinking

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility

  • Interns
  • Externs
  • Volunteers

Travel

This position requires travel to our satellite shelters.

Shift Details: Four, 10-hour shifts

Full Time Benefits – Please visit our website for a comprehensive list of all offered benefits.

  • Benefits (medical, dental, and vision)
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • League-paid Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Sick Time
  • Holiday Pay
  • 401(k) with matching
  • Sabbatical
  • Relocation Assistance
  • Veterinarians are eligible for student loan reimbursement (SLURP)
  • And more!

Compensation: Starting at $110,000 – $120,000 annually – at Full Time 40 hours status (starting pay commensurate with market, experience, and equity)

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements

Handle and restrain animals of various sizes, weights, and temperaments. Subject to animal bites or scratches. Work performed in high noise level areas. Exposure to cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal dander, and feces. Exposure to radiation in association with performing radiology procedures. Physical efforts require constant bending, stooping, standing, climbing stairs, and walking. Repetitive motion associated with medical and surgical care. Frequent lifting of animals and objects with reasonable accommodation.

We will begin reviewing applications as they are received and anticipate closing the application period on September 19, 2024.

Requirements
Position Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

  • Strong interpersonal communication skills
  • High emotional intelligence
  • Ability to effectively communicate in writing
  • Effective time management skills with the ability to triage cases and workload
  • Ability to work well within a fast-paced environment
  • High attention to detail
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs

Required

  • Education: Doctoral degree in veterinary medicine.
  • Work Experience: Experience practicing veterinary medicine in a full service or shelter environment.
  • Special Training, Certification or Licensure: Eligible to obtain a Colorado Veterinary License. If driving a League vehicle, valid driver’s license and insurable driving record are required.

Desired

  • Shelter medicine experience
  • Skilled HQ/HV spay/neuter surgeon
  • Proficiency with Chameleon