Animal Shelter Veterinarian Surgeon

Position Summary The Veterinarian Surgeon provides high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgery and veterinary oversight for the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center Spay & Neuter Clinic. This position is responsible for performing surgical sterilizations, supervising medical protocols, overseeing preventive care services, ensuring compliance with applicable veterinary regulations, supporting shelter animal medical needs as workload permits, and providing veterinary supervision to Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs), veterinary assistants, and support staff operating under California law. This position reports directly to the Executive Director and works collaboratively with clinic staff, shelter staff, volunteers, relief veterinarians, rescue partners, vendors, and members of the public. Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesSurgery (70%) Perform a minimum of 35-40 surgical sterilizations per scheduled surgery day utilizing established High-Quality, High-Volume Spay/Neuter (HQHVSN) standards. Conduct pre-operative examinations to determine surgical candidacy. Oversee anesthesia protocols, pain management, surgical monitoring, and post-operative care. Supervise administration of vaccines and microchips provided in conjunction with surgery and recommend follow-up care as appropriate. Maintain high standards of surgical efficiency, patient safety, low complication rates, and positive patient outcomes. Manage surgical complications, recheck appointments, and medical consultations as needed. Utilize low-stress handling techniques and promote humane treatment of all animals. Exercise sound medical judgment and creative problem-solving in a fast-paced clinical environment. Shelter Medicine Support (10%) Provide examinations, diagnostics, treatment recommendations, and wellness evaluations for shelter animals as clinic workload permits. Assist with medical evaluations of foster animals and animals preparing for adoption. Collaborate with shelter medical staff and leadership regarding treatment plans, medical decision-making, and animal welfare concerns. Provide consultation on disease prevention, population health management, and shelter medical protocols. Support organizational efforts to improve live-release outcomes, reduce length of stay when medically appropriate, and maintain high-quality care for shelter animals. Professional Development & Organization-Paid Expenses MSRPAC is committed to supporting professional growth and maintaining required credentials. The organization will provide and/or reimburse the following professional expenses in accordance with organizational policies and annual budget allocations: California Veterinary License renewal DEA registration renewal Professional liability insurance Approved professional memberships Continuing education registration and related expenses Other required professional credentials approved by the Executive Director Core CompetenciesAttendance & Dependability Maintains consistent attendance and punctuality. Follows instructions and responds appropriately to management direction. Produces timely, accurate, and high-quality work. Follows through on commitments and manages time effectively. Customer Service Treats internal and external customers with professionalism, respect, and courtesy. Anticipates and responds promptly to customer needs and concerns. Handles difficult and emotional situations appropriately and compassionately. Teamwork Listens and responds constructively to others. Welcomes and provides feedback professionally. Shares expertise and supports team success. Ethics & Integrity Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive information. Upholds organizational values and avoids conflicts of interest. Diversity & Inclusion Works respectfully with employees, volunteers, clients, and community members from diverse backgrounds. Judgment Demonstrates sound decision-making in a fast-paced environment. Recognizes when additional guidance or assistance is needed. QualificationsEducation & Experience Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree from an accredited school of veterinary medicine. Current California veterinary license in good standing. Ability to obtain and maintain DEA Controlled Substance Registration. Experience with High-Quality, High-Volume Spay/Neuter (HQHVSN) surgery strongly preferred. Three (3) years of veterinary practice experience preferred; candidates with strong surgical skills and alignment with the organization's mission may be considered. Experience in shelter medicine, community medicine, vaccine clinics, or nonprofit veterinary services preferred. Experience supervising or delegating work to RVTs, veterinary assistants, and support staff preferred. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Knowledge of animal health, welfare, husbandry, and low-stress animal handling techniques. Strong surgical skills, sound medical judgment, and attention to detail. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team. Ability to maintain composure and professionalism during stressful or emotionally challenging situations. Strong interpersonal and communication skills with staff, volunteers, leadership, clients, and community stakeholders. Commitment to the mission of MSRPAC and advocacy for humane animal care, spay/neuter programs, adoption, and responsible pet ownership. Ability to support practical, mission-driven solutions that balance patient care, community access, staff capacity, and organizational sustainability. Physical Requirements & Work Environment Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods (8+ hours per day). Frequent bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, grasping, lifting, and repetitive motions. Ability to exert up to 75 pounds of force occasionally and up to 70 pounds frequently. Frequent lifting of animals and equipment weighing more than 75 pounds; occasional lifting exceeding 100 pounds with assistance as appropriate. Exposure to loud noise, animal odors, cleaning agents, disinfectants, and veterinary chemicals. Ability to walk on both paved and unpaved surfaces that may be wet or uneven. Regular exposure to needles, syringes, controlled substances, and other veterinary medical supplies. Excellent hand-eye coordination and visual acuity, including peripheral vision, depth perception, fine-detail recognition, and ability to focus. Work is performed in a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, and office environment. About Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is dedicated to reducing pet overpopulation, promoting responsible pet ownership, providing compassionate animal care, and creating positive outcomes for animals and the people who love them. We are seeking a mission-driven veterinarian who is passionate about high-quality spay/neuter services, shelter medicine, and improving access to veterinary care within our community.

Pay:

$190,000.00 - $220,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) matching Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person