Job Title: Shelter Veterinarian
Department: Veterinary Services – 09
Job Classification: Full-Time, Salary, Exempt Position.
Job Relationships: Reports to the Chief Veterinarian. Works closely with the Veterinary Services Manager and Veterinary Service team, Animal Care, Behavior & Enrichment, Foster & Transfer, Client Services, and Animal Protection & Control.
General Purpose
The Shelter Veterinarian provides high-quality veterinary medical and surgical care for animals in NOCO Humane's care through the practice of shelter medicine while supporting animal health, welfare, population health, and positive outcomes in accordance with the medical standards established by the Chief Veterinarian, organizational protocols, and shelter medicine practices. The position collaborates closely with Animal Care, Behavior & Enrichment, Client Services, Foster & Transfer, Operations, and other departments to provide veterinary expertise, exercise sound medical judgment, and support collaborative decision-making for individual animal care and shelter population management.
This position is primarily based at NOCO Humane's Loveland Campus and provides veterinary support to other campuses as operational needs require. The regular work schedule is generally four or five days per week and includes a weekend day, evening, and participation in the veterinary department's on-call phone rotation. Additional hours and occasional on-site response may be required during emergency situations, events, or as operational needs require
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Shelter Medicine & Surgery
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Performs spay/neuter surgeries, dental procedures, and other surgeries as appropriate for shelter and limited owned animals.
- Performs physical examinations, diagnostics, treatment planning, and ongoing medical management for animals in NOCO Humane's care in accordance with the medical standards established by the Chief Veterinarian, organizational protocols, and shelter medicine practices.
- Participates in medical rounds and collaborates with Animal Care, Behavior & Enrichment, Client Services, Foster & Transfer, Operations, and other departments regarding individual animal care, population health, medical concerns, animal movement, animal welfare, and case management.
- Maintains accurate, timely, and complete medical records within the organization's medical record system.
- Provides clinical direction and instruction to veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, students, interns, externs, and volunteers during examinations, treatments, anesthesia, surgery, and other patient care activities.
- Evaluates medical cases and exercises sound professional judgment when determining treatment plans, quality-of-life assessments, transfer recommendations, and euthanasia decisions.
- Performs humane euthanasia in accordance with organizational protocols, applicable laws, and accepted veterinary standards.
- Participates in community veterinary medicine programs, including vaccination clinics, spay/neuter clinics, and other community outreach initiatives, to improve access to veterinary care, support public health, and advance NOCO Humane's mission.
Professional Practice and Responsibilities
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Practices medicine in accordance with the medical standards, protocols, and clinical expectations established by the Chief Veterinarian.
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Assists the Chief Veterinarian in the development, review, and continuous improvement of medical protocols, treatment guidelines, disease prevention practices, and standards of care.
- Assists with staff and volunteer education related to shelter medicine, animal health, biosecurity, disease prevention, animal welfare, and safe animal handling practices.
- Provides medical consultation and guidance to internal departments regarding animal health, treatment plans, infectious disease management, and animal welfare concerns.
- Ensures veterinary medical practices comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including the Colorado Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA), DEA requirements, and organizational policies.
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Maintains current knowledge of shelter medicine best practices through continuing education and professional development.
- Supports veterinary medical services at other NOCO Humane campuses as operational needs require.
- Maintains professional licensure, professional liability insurance, and all required certifications.
Follows all organizational safety policies, biosecurity protocols, and infection control procedures.
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Other Duties
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Meets attendance, punctuality, and scheduling expectations.
- Adheres to NOCO Humane's Standards of Professional Conduct.
- Operates organizational vehicles when required.
- Participates in meetings, committees, organizational initiatives, and cross-functional projects as assigned.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
August 2026
Job Qualifications:
Education/Experience: Must be currently licensed (or eligible for licensure) to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Colorado and maintain licensure in good standing throughout employment. Must maintain current Professional Liability Insurance and all other required certifications. Must be eligible to carry DEA license, as requested.
Demonstrated experience in companion animal medicine and surgery required. High-quality/high-volume spay/neuter surgery and shelter medicine experience strongly preferred. Experience practicing veterinary medicine in a fast-paced environment with limited resources is highly desirable. Experience with small mammals and exotics is helpful.
Must be at least 21 years of age (required for insurance purposes). Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and participation in the veterinary department's on-call phone rotation as required.
Demonstrated commitment to animal welfare, shelter medicine, and the mission, vision, and values of NOCO Humane. Bilingual English/Spanish fluency (reading, writing, speaking, and understanding) is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
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Thorough knowledge of shelter medicine principles, including population health management, individual animal health management, infectious disease prevention and control, biosecurity, animal welfare, and epidemiology.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound clinical judgment and make timely decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to balance individual patient care with population health, animal welfare, public safety, operational priorities, and available resources and budget while supporting the overall health and success of a large, diverse shelter population.
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Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication, and relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments, foster positive working relationships, navigate challenging conversations professionally, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and organizational success.
- Demonstrated professionalism, accountability, integrity, emotional intelligence, and sound judgment.
- Ability to embrace change, adapt to evolving organizational priorities, and consistently support organizational decisions and strategic initiatives.
- Strong organizational, time management, and documentation skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities while maintaining attention to detail.
- Proficiency with electronic medical records and computer applications.
- Ability to work independently while recognizing when collaboration or consultation with veterinary leadership is appropriate.
- Ability to remain calm, resilient, and effective in emotionally challenging situations involving critically ill or injured animals, humane euthanasia, and difficult conversations.
Other
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Valid Colorado Driver's License, insurable driving record, and personal automobile insurance meeting Colorado requirements.
- Willingness to obtain and maintain rabies vaccination and participate in periodic rabies titer testing.
- Successfully completes all required organizational training.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an animal shelter with shared office space. Potential for exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous and fractious animals, handling animals of varying types and temperaments, high noise levels, hazardous chemicals, anesthetic gases, ionizing radiation (x-rays), and sharp objects. Field conditions may be encountered. Potential for bites and scratches while handling animals. Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds without assistance and more with assistance; potential for standing on feet for 8 to 10 hours a day; animal handling and restraint in a veterinary setting; driving a motor vehicle; kneeling; squatting; walking dogs on leash; performing physical examinations on animals; handling syringes and needles; potential exposure to hay and dust; potential exposure to deceased animals; audibly listening and verbally communicating. Available to work a flexible schedule and cover department on-call services, and telephone consultation on an emergency basis, as required. Temporary assignments at other Shelter locations may be required.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with the job. NOCO Humane conducts background checks, DMV checks and requires drug testing of all employment candidates.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Benefits for full-time employees include options for medical and life, dental, vision and supplemental accident insurance; STD/LTD insurance; a matching 403b plan; paid time off (PTO) accrual; 9 paid holidays and more. Benefits for part-time employees include paid time off (PTO); a matching 403b plan and more.
