ON SITE- Municipal Veterinarian

Pay: $137,000.00 - $167,000.00 per year

Job description:

Make a Difference in Your Community

Our client, a well-established municipal government organization, is seeking an experienced and compassionate Municipal Veterinarian to join its Animal Services Department.

This is an opportunity to move beyond traditional private practice and into a rewarding public service career where you'll play a vital role in protecting public health, advancing animal welfare, and supporting your local community. As the department's lead veterinary professional, you'll provide medical care for shelter animals, oversee shelter medicine protocols, collaborate with Animal Services leadership, and help shape programs that improve outcomes for both animals and residents.

If you're looking for a stable, mission-driven career with excellent work-life balance, comprehensive government benefits, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Work Schedule

Enjoy one of the many advantages of working in municipal government with a flexible compressed work schedule designed to support work-life balance.

Depending on departmental needs, employees may work one of the following schedules:

• 9/80 Schedule: Work nine 9-hour days over a two-week pay period (80 hours) and enjoy every other Friday off, creating a three-day weekend every other week.


• 4/10 Schedule: Work four 10-hour days each week and enjoy every Friday off, providing a three-day weekend every week.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive medical care, diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care for shelter animals.


• Perform routine and emergency surgical procedures, including high-volume spay and neuter surgeries.


• Develop, implement, and oversee shelter medicine protocols, disease prevention programs, and vaccination guidelines.


• Ensure compliance with California veterinary regulations, DEA requirements, controlled substance management, and medical record standards.


• Supervise and mentor veterinary technicians, animal care staff, and support personnel on medical best practices.


• Collaborate with Animal Services leadership to improve shelter operations, animal health outcomes, and operational efficiency.


• Support animal adoption programs, rescue partnerships, and community outreach initiatives.


• Participate in emergency response efforts involving animal care during disasters or public emergencies.


• Maintain accurate medical records and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.


• Promote humane treatment, responsible pet ownership, and community education initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or equivalent) from an accredited institution.


• Active California Veterinary License, or the ability to obtain licensure prior to employment.


• DEA Registration (or ability to obtain upon hire).


• Minimum of three (3) years of professional veterinary experience.


• Experience performing routine soft tissue surgeries, including spay and neuter procedures.


• Strong understanding of shelter medicine, infectious disease management, preventive care, and animal welfare.


• Excellent communication, leadership, and collaboration skills.


• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams in a public sector environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working for a municipal government, county government, or public agency.


• Shelter medicine experience.


• Experience working within Animal Services or Animal Control departments.


• Supervisory or leadership experience.


• Familiarity with California animal welfare laws and municipal regulations.


• Experience developing veterinary protocols and operational procedures.


• Community outreach or public education experience.

Why Join This Opportunity?

• Meaningful work serving your local community.


• Stable career within a respected municipal government organization.


• Competitive salary.


• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, retirement, and pension benefits.


• Generous paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.


• Flexible compressed work schedules, including 9/80 and 4/10 options for exceptional work-life balance.


• Opportunity to lead veterinary programs that directly improve animal welfare.


• Collaborative, mission-driven team environment.


• Long-term career growth and professional development.


• The chance to make a lasting impact on public health, animal welfare, and your community every day.