Shelter Veterinarian (30 hours/week)

Shelter Veterinarian (30 hours/week) Foothills Animal Shelter - Golden, CO 80401 Start Date 09/09/2026 End Date 09/23/2026 Apply Overview Salary Range $80,000.00 - $110,000.00 Salary Position Type Full-Time/Part-Time Education Level Graduate Degree Category Veterinary Services Apply Description Foothills Animal Shelter seeks a capable shelter veterinarian committed to promoting the physical and emotional wellness of both shelter animals and community owned pets through innovative programs and services and compassionate veterinary care. This will be a three-quarters time position working three ten-hour shifts per week. ABOUT FOOTHILLS ANIMAL SHELTER As an open admission shelter, our doors are always open to pets in Jefferson County, Colorado, and we are committed to serving our community as a socially conscious shelter. We care for more than 9,000 dogs, cats, and small animals every year with a compassionate team of staff and volunteers. We are a community resource and offer a variety of services including pet adoption, Jefferson County pet licensing, vaccinations, microchipping, and lost and found pets. The Shelter is established under an intergovernmental agreement between Jefferson County, the City of Arvada, the City of Lakewood, the City of Wheat Ridge, the City of Golden, the City of Westminster and the City of Edgewater. WHY JOIN US? Our shelter is conveniently located between Denver, CO, and the magnificent Rocky Mountains, so you get the best of both worlds: access to all the cultural benefits of a major urban area while only a short drive to the mountain adventure of your choosing. We strive for a healthy work-life balance, and this position will enjoy a three-day work week. Our veterinary and behavior support teams are 100% dedicated to the well-being of our shelter animals. They work hard, care deeply, and inspire us daily. Our shelter veterinarians have minimal patron contact responsibilities, and our veterinary support team handles most administrative tasks. This means less time on the phone or answering email and more time practicing medicine! All of our staff and volunteers are Fear Free Shelter Certified, and we strive to implement fear-free strategies to improve the emotional experience of the animals in our care. BENEFITS Medical, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance - base plan premiums are 100% paid by Foothills Animal Shelter for employee-only coverage Short-term disability, life insurance, accident and critical illness plans, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, and health savings account options available Retirement plan with 4% employer match and immediate vesting Three weeks of vacation time earned on an accrual basis Paid sick leave earned on an accrual basis Six paid holidays Four floating holidays Employee Assistance Program (EAP) ADDITIONAL DVM BENEFITS Access to Shelter VIN membership PLIT insurance reimbursement DEA license reimbursement CO vet license reimbursement CE reimbursement of $1,125 annually (or $2,250 bi-annually if preferred) Paid time to attend CE Relocation allowance Foothills Animal Shelter is a public service student loan forgiveness qualified employer. COMPENSATION $80,000 - $110,000 annually based on 30-hour workweek SCHEDULE Three 10-hour days with at least one weekend day For a full list of duties and qualifications, please review the complete job description . Qualifications Education and Experience Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) from an AVMA accredited school of veterinary medicine Veterinary license in good standing Must hold or be eligible to obtain a current DEA license and have a current veterinary malpractice insurance policy Shelter medicine experience preferred Fear Free Shelter certified or become Fear Free Shelter certified within 60 days of employment Skills and Abilities High attention to detail and ability to complete work without supervision Strong interpersonal and written communication skills Ability to utilize effective problem solving/decision making skills Ability to work cooperatively within a team environment Ability to extend compassion and empathy to staff and volunteers under a variety of circumstances Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with proprietary information and sensitive situations Ability to communicate and collaborate with a variety of people and personality types Ability to maintain professional composure and emotional resilience when working with sick, injured, or at-risk animals Ability to provide constructive feedback in a thoughtful and positive manner Ability to facilitate difficult conversations, especially regarding euthanasia Ability to remain calm and effective in emergency situations Basic proficiency with computers; ability to learn and use cloud-based shelter management software for daily recordkeeping Physical Requirements Ability to stand and walk for extended periods on hard surfaces with minimal sedentary work Ability to bend, twist, kneel, and squat frequently throughout the shift Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds regularly throughout the shift Ability to handle dogs of all sizes on leash, including dogs weighing over 100 pounds Ability to work in confined spaces including animal kennels and housing areas Ability to work safely on wet and slippery floor surfaces throughout the shift Working Conditions Ten-hour shifts with at least one weekend day required; schedule will include holidays Exposure to anesthesia gases, medications/drugs (controlled and non-controlled), and x-ray radiation Noise, odors, chemical fumes, and animal hair/dander are encountered due to equipment and animals Exposure to common allergens including animal dander, feathers, hay/straw, latex, peanut butter, dairy products, and other food items used for animal enrichment Exposure to zoonotic diseases and infectious agents through contact with animals and their bodily fluids (urine, feces, vomit, blood, saliva) Exposure to cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, and sanitizing agents used in animal care and facility maintenance Exposure to emotionally challenging situations including sick or injured animals; euthanasia procedures; and end-of-life decision-making Frequent hand washing and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required Subject to animal bites and scratches Work performed in areas with high levels of noise