Veterinarian, Managing - Riverdale Animal Shelter

Veterinarian, Managing - Riverdale Animal Shelter

Salary

$143,019.28 - $180,328.66 Annually

Location

Brighton, CO

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

07162

Department

Animal Shelter & Adoption Ctr

Division

Animal Shelter

Opening Date

04/16/2026

Closing Date

5/15/2026 4:30 PM Mountain

Our Mission

To responsibly serve the Adams County community with integrity and innovation.

EEO

Adams County is an equal opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Position classification

Onsite -- Job duties and expectations require employee to be regularly scheduled onsite.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

What Success Looks Like In This Job

Riverdale Animal Shelter is seeking a skilled and mission-driven Veterinarian to serve as Veterinary Medical Director. As part of the shelter's Leadership Team, the Medical Director will bring veterinary voice and perspective to operational decisions, provide leadership and direction for the health care team, practice shelter medicine, and ensure the quality care of shelter animals.

What you will love about us:

Riverdale Animal Shelter (RAS) provides safe housing and compassionate care for thousands of homeless companion animals to include many cats, dogs, and the occasional goat. Our newly constructed facility is located just 15 miles from downtown Denver and includes a bright and spacious veterinary clinic. Our team is highly professional, yet also down-to-earth; and our supportive work culture allows employees to grow, use their skills, and truly be themselves.

Benefits are fantastic to include robust medical and retirement plans with strong matching, generous vacation and sick leave,12 paid holidays, plus a floating holiday, paid self-care (admin) days, paid parental leave, onsite wellness rooms, free fitness centers, PSLF eligibility, professional memberships, uniforms, and CE support just to name a few.

Schedules are flexible to include the possibility of intermittent remote options.

About you:

• Direct experience (or sincere interest) in practicing shelter medicine
• Strong clinical as well as interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized and creative problem solver
• Enjoy leading and mentoring others

Examples of Duties for Success

This is a dynamic role that allows you to remain hands-on in veterinary care while also guiding the medical care team.

Examples of Clinical Responsibilities:

• Provide timely, quality veterinary care for shelter animals, including exams, vaccinations, diagnostics, and treatment of illnesses and injuries.
• Perform spay/neuter surgeries, dentistry, routine procedures, and emergency care as needed.
• Develop and follow medical protocols to prevent illness and promote animal health.
• Conduct daily rounds, update treatment plans, and ensure continuity of care.
• Provide direction and guidance for the medical care of foster animals.
• Perform humane euthanasia when necessary and support staff training in compassionate end-of-life care.
• Offer medical input and documentation for cruelty, neglect, and abuse cases.
• Coordinate with local and state health departments as needed.
• Maintain accurate medical records in line with state, federal, and DEA requirements.

Examples of Leadership Responsibilities:

• Provide direct supervision and support for shelter veterinarians.
• Provide indirect supervision and direction for the Health Care team to include veterinary technicians, foster staff, and interns
• Oversee recruitment, training, and recognition for health care staff.
• Serve on the shelter's Leadership and Operations' Teams.
• Work effectively with shelter staff, animal protection officers, and volunteers to align veterinary operations with the shelter's mission and goals.
• Build and maintain partnerships with local veterinary clinics, shelters, veterinary schools and colleges
• Oversee veterinary internship placements and processes.
• Implement and continually evaluate health care protocols and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with professional and regulatory standards, including licensure and controlled substance management.
• Support staff development and well-being by continually identifying opportunities to enhance career growth and work-life balance.
• Represent RAS at local, state, and national committees and conferences.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Exercise direct supervision of staff

Qualifications for Success

• Genuine commitment to animal welfare and the humane treatment of animals.
• In-depth knowledge of (or a sincere interest in) shelter medicine.
• Proven leadership skills with experience supervising paid staff, students, and/or interns.
• Excellent clinical skills, including medical diagnostics, surgery, and dentistry.
• Proficient in HQHVSN ensuring high standards of care.
• Skilled in safe and humane animal handling, including fear-free techniques.
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to exhibit sound judgment with confidential or highly sensitive situations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and capable of learning shelter software for accurate medical recordkeeping.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to foster positive, professional relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

More Qualifications for Success

Education & Experience

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.
• Minimum 3 years of experience as a practicing Veterinarian required, including at least 1 year in shelter medicine or a veterinary setting with a HQHVSN component.
• Minimum 2 years of experience providing direct supervision of paid staff, students, and/or interns.
• Experience in an open admissions animal shelter is preferred, and experience with community veterinary medicine, emergency/urgent care, and/or general small animal practice is welcomed.

Licenses & Certifications

• Current Colorado veterinary license (or ability to obtain promptly) with a clean practice record.
• DEA license (or ability to obtain) is preferred.
• Fear-free certification required within 60 days of hire. Training provided.

Even if you feel you do not meet all preferred qualifications but are interested in this role, please apply!

Work Environment

• Surgical suite, shelter, and office settings.
• Exposure to high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, fearful or fractious animals, and cleaning agents.
• Work may be emotionally challenging.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent lifting/restraining of animals of varying sizes.
• Standing, walking, bending, reaching, kneeling, and cleaning.
• Handling surgical instruments, syringes, and needles.
• Repetitive motions associated with surgery and medical care.

Work Schedule

• Flexible schedule with possibility of intermittent remote work.
• Rotating on-call, phone support for some holidays and shelter closures.

Adams County and the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office complies with Colorado's Job Application Fairness Act ("JAFA"). JAFA prohibits employers from asking individuals to disclose their age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation on an initial employment application. However, additional application materials such as certifications and transcripts containing this information may be required for certain positions; if such additional materials are requested, applicants may redact information that identifies the applicant's age, date of birth, or dates or attendance or graduation.

Adams County provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees that goes above and beyond what is offered at most organizations.

Benefits You Expect:

• AFLAC Supplemental Medical Insurance
• Basic Term Life & Optional Term Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Dental/Vision/Medical Plans
• Generous Vacation/Sick leave
• Long-Term Disability
• Retirement Plan
• Short-Term Disability

Plus some you might not expect:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Fitness Center
• Employee Health Clinics
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Recreation Center Discounts
• Training & Tuition Reimbursement Programs
• Wellness programs
• Lactation friendly certified workplace

01

Please be aware that your cover letter and resume will not be accessed in the initial screening process, so you must complete your application and supplemental questions with as much detail as possible. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your cover letter and resume will then be accessible to the hiring team. Information provided on the application is used to determine if a candidate meets minimum qualifications. Only information provided at the time of the application being completed will be considered and additional information that is not listed on the application will not be considered when deciding if a candidate meets or does not meet the qualifications. Applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to include all information and details on their application. I understand and agree that only information provided at the time of my application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum requirements for this position.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• Yes, I understand but disagree.

02

This role requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

03

This position requires a minimum of 3 years experience as a practicing Veterinarian, including 1 year in shelter medicine with a high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter component (HQHVSN). Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

04

This position requires a minimum of 2 years of experience providing direct supervision of paid staff and/or interns/volunteers. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

05

This role requires a current Colorado veterinary license, or the ability to obtain promptly, with a clean practice record. Do you or can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

06

Please give an overview of your veterinary work to include any specific experience practicing shelter medicine.

07

What is your view or philosophy on humane euthanasia for animals in a shelter setting?

08

Describe how you personally show up as a leader and how you have led and inspired others to do their best work.

Required Question

Employer Adams County

Address 4430 S. Adams County Parkway, Suite C4000B

Brighton, Colorado, 80601-8213

Website http://www.adamscountyco.gov/careers