Associate Veterinarian

Job Overview
Position: Shelter Veterinarian
Department: Veterinary Clinic
Reports To: Chief Veterinarian
Classification: Exempt (Salary), Full Time
Supervises: Provides mentorship and medical direction to LHS staff and volunteers
Schedule: Varies; typical schedule is 4-5 shifts weekly (approx. 35 hours) including one weekend day. Some holidays may be required to accommodate the needs of the veterinary clinic and the organization
Starting Salary: $90,000.00; negotiable pending experience

Join a compassionate and dynamic team dedicated to improving the lives of homeless and vulnerable animals and providing essential veterinary services to our community.

Position Summary: Shelter Veterinarians play a key role in advancing Lawrence Humane Society’s mission by providing comprehensive medical care, delivering preventative care, diagnosing and treating medical conditions, performing spay/neuter surgeries, and supporting both shelter animals and pets in the community. Shelter Veterinarians work closely with a skilled team to oversee the health of over 3,700 shelter animals each year and provide low-cost or subsidized care to nearly 2,000 public pets. This role requires a skilled veterinarian committed to both the health of shelter pets and the well-being of the community, while promoting compassion, collaboration, and a non-judgmental culture.

Ideal candidates are mature, strategic thinkers with a passion for serving the community and fostering positive relationships. They excel in active listening and clear communication, ensuring others feel heard and understood. Highly collaborative, they appreciate diverse perspectives and are flexible in solving challenges, adapting their approach as needed. They are committed to maintaining healthy boundaries, promoting a positive work culture, and are willing to support their team to ensure smooth daily operations.

About the team: The mission of the Lawrence Humane Society (LHS) is to nurture the human-animal bond by providing shelter, care, and advocacy for homeless and vulnerable animals, as well as resources for the people and pets in our community. The Lawrence Humane Society realizes pet homelessness affects our entire community and as part of the mission, seeks to support pet owners in crisis. We believe in respecting and supporting the pet and pet owner and seek to create a work culture that promotes compassion, innovation, and excellence. Through field services, supportive programs, and shelter services, our nonprofit organization supports 6,000 animals each year.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide exemplary customer service and veterinary care, maintaining professionalism, compassion, and a positive attitude.
• Perform routine and specialized surgeries, including high-volume spay/neuter, cryptorchid neuters, mass removals, and emergency procedures.
• Diagnose, treat, and develop care plans for shelter and public animals, balancing medical needs with organizational capacity.
• Conduct medical rounds to monitor animal health and address emerging medical and behavioral concerns.
• Collaborate with the veterinary team and other departments to provide seamless, humane care for animals.
• Perform humane euthanasia when necessary, with professionalism and sensitivity.
• Maintain accurate, detailed medical records and ensure proper documentation in the shelter management system.
• Educate and support pet owners on preventative care and best practices for animal health.
• Serve as a resource for team members, volunteers, fosters, and pet owners, answering inquiries and providing clear communication through various channels.
• Assist Animal Service Officers with cruelty investigations and testify in court when needed.
• Collaborate with community outreach programs and support special events such as vaccine clinics and TNVR surgery days.
• Ensure compliance with all veterinary standards, ethical practices, and legal regulations.
• Continuously engage in professional development and growth, and actively participate in opportunities to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
• Support, train, and mentor staff, and volunteers, fostering a positive and educational work environment; show enthusiasm and willingness to perform as necessary to help the veterinary department and the organization function as a cohesive unit.
• Adhere to all Lawrence Humane Society values, policies and procedures.
• Adhere to, and ensure compliance with, all veterinary standards, ethical practices, and legal regulations.
• Adhere to Lawrence Humane Society’s disease transmission prevention protocols and safety protocols, promoting a cooperative and safe working environment, addressing hazards as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Performance Factors and Necessary Skills:

• Strong diagnostic, surgical, and medical skills with a dedication to animal care.
• Proficiency in safe and humane animal handling practices. Actively strive to employ the least stressful, most humane approach to animal handling. Demonstrate a working knowledge of animal behavior.
• Compassionate, non-judgmental approach to working with shelter animals and community pet families with a focus on achieving positive outcomes and an ability to display a calm, empathetic demeanor in high-tension situations.
• Strong time management, organizational skills, and multitasking ability, with accountability for achieving objectives and maintaining high standards of performance.
• Sound judgment when handling sensitive information and public interactions.
• Proficient in learning and utilizing new software for managing medical records, including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and shelter database systems.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, demonstrating attention to detail, accuracy, tact, and professionalism.
• Critical thinking skills and a commitment to ongoing learning and process improvement.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Embodiment of Lawrence Humane Society’s core values: lifesaving, open-mindedness and inclusion, innovation, and the pursuit of best practices.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Shelter Veterinarians handle a wide range of animals, including domestic, exotic, and wildlife species, some with dangerous or unknown temperaments. This role involves exposure to risks such as bites, scratches, zoonotic diseases, parasites, odors, chemicals, and animal waste. Shelter Veterinarians encounter ill or deceased animals and interact with emotional individuals.
• The position requires operating various equipment, including medical tools, office equipment, animal traps, and vehicles. It involves prolonged periods of standing, performing medical procedures, and using a computer, as well as physically demanding tasks such as lifting up to 50 pounds, walking, kneeling, crouching, and climbing.
• While most work is performed indoors in a clinic setting, occasional offsite work, including driving and working in all weather conditions, is required. Exposure to high noise levels and extreme temperatures is frequent, and Shelter Veterinarians must manage the emotional challenges of animal welfare work.

Qualifications/Educational Background:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from an accredited university
• Valid veterinary license in the state of Kansas or eligibility to obtain one
• Must have a current DEA license
• Must be current in Continuing Education requirement for the state of Kansas
• Must pass a background check.
• A valid driver’s license and a safe driving record is required.
• USDA APHIS Accreditation is preferred
• Previous experience in animal sheltering and/or nonprofit animal welfare is highly desirable.

If you thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and are passionate about delivering compassionate, humane care, we’d love to hear from you! This position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of animals and their owners while working in a supportive environment dedicated to excellence in veterinary care.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Holidays
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $90,000 - $100,000