Veterinarian

Full Time, Flexible – Queens & Manhattan Shelter 

Who We Are

ACC is one of the nation’s largest open-admission animal shelters, whose mission is to End Animal Homelessness in NYC. We touch the lives of nearly 30,000 animals each year. ACC is more than an animal shelter; we are a resource to the community, always seeking ways to keep the human-animal bond intact. With a 90% placement rate, our progressive, life-saving initiatives contribute to the successful placement of our animals. We strive to find loving homes for homeless and abandoned cats, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits, both by adopting animals directly to the public and by partnering with more than 200 dedicated animal placement organizations (our New Hope partners). We also help keep NYC communities safe and rescue animals in need, responding to emergencies that involve animals as well as keeping our doors open 24/7 for people and animals in need.

Summary:

Animal Care Centers of NYC is on the prowl for a multi-tasking, big-picture-thinking, problem solving, puppy kissing, cat cuddling, Veterinarian with super-hero medical and surgical skills to embrace the multitude of challenging cases facing our NYC homeless pet population.  Must be a social butterfly, as every shelter animal has a person (likely whole departments) attached to the end of their leash.  It takes a village to raise a shelter animal and put them on the path to success.   

ACC NYC is one of the nation’s largest open-admission animal shelters whose mission is to End Animal Homelessness in NYC.  We are more than a shelter for unwanted animals, we are a resource to the community, always seeking ways to keep the human-animal bond intact.  Our progressive life saving initiatives contribute to the successful placement of our animals.  We have a 90% placement rate.  

The veterinary team plays an integral part in ensuring positive outcomes and the team requires a strong doctor to navigate challenges that arise every day.  Our doctors are always one step ahead, using their critical thinking to anticipate problems and proactively provide solutions. With a 25,000 annual intake, the environment is fast paced and requires someone who can nimbly manage and field multiple things coming at them from multiple directions – and do it with a smile.  

Under the guidance of the VP, Animal Health & Welfare,  our doctors maintain standards of patient care that we continually try to advance every single day.  At ACC we treat our colleagues with the same compassion as we do our animals. Therefore, a successful candidate inspires the team to want to come to work every day and shows them how they make a difference in the lives of every animal that enters through our doors. You motivate, collaborate, initiate, stimulate, communicate, appreciate, and sometimes commiserate with your team and colleagues. And you do doctor things… the variety of our case load pales in comparison to every day practice. You won't be bored, you will be stimulated, challenged and you will have a stellar support team to assist you in making sometimes difficult decisions. Ones you can live with.  

Your input and perspective is encouraged in strategic development as the organizations evolves to meet the mission.  And, our new 40,000 sq ft Queens shelter opens in 2024 and will boast a large, fully equiped treatment center and a public-facing, urgent access to care clinic that will open in 2024.  

The animals that come through our doors have nowhere else to go, we serve the neediest of needy in NYC.  This job will never be just another “day at the office”.  You will go home each day, tired, dirty and challenged by what you see everyday.  It will be your best job ever.

Responsibilities:

• Working with the VP Animal Health & Welfare contribute to the process of continuous revision and execution of a shelter medical plan focused on population based preventative health care
• Disease identification and surveillance, including daily rounds and health monitoring
• Triage and examination of a variety of species both in the shelter and in foster care
• Efficiently stabilize and manage a variety of trauma cases 
• Manage a varied surgical case-load with oversight of support staff during pre, intra and perioperative period
• Issue Certificates of Veterinary Inspection
• Recognition and documentation of cruelty cases, including preparation of veterinary statements and expert witness testimony 
• Prepare to liaise with pet owners, foster parents and adopters when needed
• Option to work in urgent access public-facing clinic 
• Work with all other departments to promote animals moving on the pathway to a successful outcome
• Participate in team trainings as a mentor and a student
• Assist in placement and euthanasia decisions 
• Attend strategy planning sessions, departmental meetings and population rounds
• Maintain accurate and complete medical records
• Promote unity and team cohesion through  leading by example

Salary and Benefits:                                                                                                                                                                           

$120,000 - $135,000 depending on experience. 40-hour work week, 4 days, flex or fixed.  Generous benefits to include:  120 hours vacation, 40 hours paid CE time with small stipend, 32 hours personal time, 56 hours sick time, paid holidays and bereavement time (for pets and humans). Full health insurance (medical, dental, vision), pension plan, 401k, life insurance, FSA and more. 

Because ACC is a nonprofit, employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness, cancellation, and/or consolidation under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). Created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, PSLF allows borrowers who work full time for nonprofits and government agencies to have their outstanding debt forgiven tax-free on Federal Direct Loans, after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. 

Please see the attached Job Description and Benefits Flyer for more details. 

Qualifications:                                                                                                                                                                                      

Equally good in dealing with animals AND people! Strong surgical and diagnostic skills. Interest in and understanding of shelter medicine, epidemiology, and herd health. Good written and oral communication skills. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, able to multi-task and prioritize. Dependable, reliable, and efficient. 

Education and Work Experience:                                                                                                                                                           

DVM, VMD, or equivalent degree. Licensure in NYS to practice veterinary medicine. Previous clinical experience, particularly in shelters, preferred but not required. USDA accreditiation or eligibility. Fear Free certification desired or must be completed in the first 90 days of employment.