Animal Scientist jobs in Denver, CO

What Success Looks Like In This Job
Riverdale Animal Shelter (RAS) is expanding our Health Care Team and seeking a skilled and compassionate, full-time Veterinarian to help provide quality medical care for shelter animals. Reporting to the Animal Shelter Executive Director, the Veterinarian will serve on the Health Care team, working closely with other veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians to provide a range of veterinary care services in accordance with best practices and State and Federal requirements. The ideal candidate will have a genuine interest in shelter medicine, experience with high-volume spay-neuter, and possess strong medical, surgical, as well as  interpersonal skills

Riverdale Animal Shelter is an open-admissions shelter taking in over 7,000 animals per year. RAS follows socially conscious sheltering principles providing compassionate and humane care for all animals and actively supporting animal welfare needs in our community. Our newly constructed, modern facility is located within the Riverdale Regional Park in Brighton, Colorado. In recognizing animal sheltering work is both challenging and rewarding, our employee culture is inherently people-centered, supportive, inclusive, and fun!

Examples of Duties for Success
Complete examinations, daily rounds, and provide treatment plans for shelter animals.
Perform animal surgeries, including regular spay/neuter and dentals, as well as enucleations, mass removals, dental extractions, soft tissue damage repair, and orthopedic procedures/amputations.
Conduct emergency triage and stabilize ill and injured animals.
Maintain patient records through consistent, accurate, and timely documentation, utilizing shelter’s operating software (Chameleon).
Communicate medical-related information to new adopters, clinics, and transfer partners.
May provide supervision for veterinary technicians and veterinary interns.
Serve on the shelter’s Leadership team, providing a veterinary perspective.
Attend staff meetings, trainings, and events as needed.
Provide examination, documentation, and expert testimony (as needed) in cases involving animal neglect or abuse.
Assist with medical guidance and support for the shelter’s foster care program.
Regularly review and update medical care and disease control protocols and standard operating procedures.
Foster positive working relationships with animal control officers, local veterinarians, volunteers, rescues, and shelter partners.
Assist with public vaccinations clinics.
Collect rabies samples for testing as requested by partnering agencies.
Perform humane euthanasia and assist with staff training and certification on the euthanasia processes.
Maintain appropriate licensing and continuing education course requirements.
Oversee the secure use of record keeping for controlled substances in accordance with DEA, state, and federal regulations.
Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

May exercise direct supervision over staff.

Qualifications for Success
Demonstrated surgical and medical assessment skills.
Ability to perform high-volume spay/neuter procedures, while maintaining excellence in patient care.
Skill, interest, and experience performing dental cleanings and extractions.
Training and ability to perform safe and humane animal handling and restraint.
Solid understanding of herd health and effective disease management practices in a shelter setting.
Working knowledge of animal behavior and fear free training techniques.
Highly organized and detail-orientated with the ability to prioritize tasks and triage emergencies.
Excellent written and spoken communication skills; ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to use sound judgment in sensitive situations.
Ability to manage a fast-paced, fluid, and emotionally charged environment.
Proven leadership abilities and/or people management experience.
Must be willing to support and communicate Riverdale Animal Shelter and Adams County policies and decisions.
Ability to use shelter operating software (Chameleon ®) to accurately record medical notes.
Proficient in Microsoft Office programs.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
More Qualifications for Success
Experience:At least three (2) years of experience as a practicing Veterinarian required
At least one (1) year practicing shelter medicine in a high volume spay/neuter environment or in a clinic with a heavy surgical volume strongly preferred
Interest and experience with dentistry strongly preferred.
Interest and experience with team leadership and supervision strongly preferred.
Education and Training: Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
License or Certificate:Current Colorado veterinary license, (or the ability to obtain one in a relatively short period of time), and a clean practice record required.
DEA license (or ability to obtain license) preferred.
Membership in a veterinary medical association or veterinary alliance strongly preferred.
Must obtain fear-free certification within 60 days of hire.
Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.
Work Environment:Work is performed in shelter surgery suite, throughout shelter and in internal office settings.
Exposure to high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, potentially fearful/fractious animals and/or animal bites/scratches.
Exposure to cleaning agents, fumes, dust, dander, and feces.
Work can be emotionally taxing.
Physical Requirements:Frequent lifting and restraining of animals of various sizes and weight.
Frequent computer use.
Potential for standing, walking, sitting for extended periods of time. Bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling, pulling, pushing, and cleaning.
Regular animal handling and restraint; handling surgical instruments, syringes, and needles.
Repetitive motion associated with medical and surgical care.
Salary is dependent upon qualifications.

Work Schedule: Four 10-hour shifts or five, 8-hour shifts per week. One weekend day generally required. .Rotating on-call for some holidays, evenings, closures as needed