Staff Veterinarian - Surgery Only
Santa Rosa and Healdsburg
We are open to flexible or part-time schedules, with salary prorated based on weekly
hours and scope of responsibility.
Salary $150,000–$165,000 DOE
Senior Director of Veterinary Medicine
Committed to kindness in service to the community since 1931, the Humane Society of Sonoma County is a donor-supported safe haven for animals. Our mission is to save lives and benefit the wellbeing of pets and their people with kindness, innovation, and leadership.
High-Volume High-Quality Spay/Neuter is prevention medicine at population scale - stopping suffering before it starts. There is no “adopting our way out” of overpopulation; at the Humane Society of Sonoma County (HSSC), we’re expanding our surgery program to 7 days per week so we can do more to fix it. We’re seeking a surgeon who loves flow, efficiency, and measurable impact.
We are looking for a veterinarian who believes that:
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The human-animal bond deserves protection and creative solutions.
- Population health and individual care go hand-in-hand.
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Families facing financial barriers deserve respect and access to are.
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High-quality medicine can (and should) exist outside traditional models.
The impact:
Every day, you will:
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Work with a dynamic mission-forward team that is building a regional resource hub
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Improve outcomes for individual animals and whole populations.
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Shape the next era of shelter medicine in Sonoma County.
The Staff Veterinarian – surgery only at the Humane Society of Sonoma County (HSSC) is dedicated to delivering comprehensive, high-quality surgical care in both clinical and shelter environments. This role involves performing a range of surgical procedures and managing treatment plans while implementing high standards of animal care.
With a focus on high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter procedures, the position emphasizes preventative medicine at a population scale, aiming to alleviate suffering and combat the issue of animal overpopulation. Recognizing that "adopting our way out" of overpopulation is not sufficient, HSSC is expanding its surgery program to operate seven days a week to increase capacity and effectiveness
This position reflects a values-driven professional who leads with humility, collaboration, and a deep care for both animals and humans. As a veterinarian, you thrive in a team environment, excel in clinical medicine as well as people leadership, and believe in the transformative power of accessible veterinary care and shelter medicine to improve lives.
You’ll collaborate daily with DVMs, skilled RVTs and a multidisciplinary team who practice at the top of their licenses and training. Help us expand to a 7 day-per-week procedures and medical clinic, integrating clinical excellence with access, compassion, and smart resource use.
Join a strong local veterinary and animal welfare community and collaborate with forward-thinking partners across the Bay Area and California to advance the future of shelter and community medicine.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, including those set by the California Veterinary Medical Board, DEA, OSHA, and USDA.
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Perform efficient, high-quality spay and neuter (typically 30, up to 40 surgeries per day depending on case mix). Mix of shelter and public dogs/cats.
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Support community medicine initiatives by creating incremental care plans that keep pets with their families and out of the shelter, preventing over-capacity issues.
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Maintain accurate medical records and participate actively in medical rounds and case reviews to enhance care delivery.
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Work within a highly trained support structure, prioritizing anesthesia safety and operational flow to ensure the wellbeing of all patients.
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Foster a positive team environment through the practice of low-stress, Fear-Free handling techniques, enhancing both animal and staff experiences.
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Directly contribute to the expansion of safety-net veterinary care initiatives, supporting proactive engagement within the community.
- DVM/VMD + CA Veterinary license.
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Proficient surgical skills with HVHQSN training; experience in shelter and/or community medicine.
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Strong communicator and integrator: you see the whole system.
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Curiosity, adaptability, and shared leadership mindset.
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Spanish language skills are valued but not required.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing with staff and the general public.
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Ability to work well under pressure and handle multiple tasks at one time.
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Knowledge of the principles and practices of veterinary medicine.
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Effective decision making and diagnostic skills and interest in pursuing treatment options with limited funding.
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Ability to exercise independent judgment, decisiveness and creativity to problem solve.
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Desire to implement efficiencies on an on-going basis. Commitment to practicing excellent medicine.
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Team-oriented attitude; serve as a leader for staff.
- Must be able to interact with animals.
- Ability to operate, maneuver and/or provide simple but continuous adjustments on equipment such a surgical instrument, syringes, microscopes, diagnostic equipment, computer terminal, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
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Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements requiring skill and training, such as performing surgery and giving injections.
- Tasks involve the ability to exert moderate but not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and lifting, carrying objects and animals of moderate weight. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
EEO STATEMENT:
HSSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable team. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, especially those historically underrepresented in animal welfare and veterinary medicine.
