Animal Shelter Veterinarian (Overstrength) - Public Works

The City of San José is one of the nation's best-managed cities and one of the top ten cities in which to live, work, and do business. The employees of the City have embraced the following values: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect, and Celebration. The City's Public Works Department (PWD) is seeking an individual whose values align with the values of the City's employees. The Department of Public Works is responsible for delivering capital improvement projects for a wide variety of City facilities and infrastructure, maintaining City facilities and fleet assets, facilitating and regulating development activities, and providing animal care and services.

San Jose Animal Care Services, a division in the Public Works Department, is currently seeking to one (1) full-time overstrength Animal Shelter Veterinarian vacancy. This is a temporary (overstrength) position that is anticipated to be funded through June 30th 2026, subject to further extension as appropriate. If this position is not extended through the budget process, the City may seek to place you in other internal job opportunities based on your previous work experience.

The Animal Shelter Veterinarian may perform all aspects of shelter medicine in a large animal shelter. Duties may include routine spay/neuter surgeries on cats, dogs, and other animals as indicated. This position provides direct care and treatment of homeless animals entering the City of San Jose’s Animal Care Center.

In addition, this position is required to diagnose, treat, and/or recommend euthanasia. Registered Veterinary Technicians will be assigned to assist this position with the preparation and post-surgery processes of spay/neuter and other surgical procedures. This is a position reporting to the Medical Director of Animal Care and Services. This classification is represented by City Association of Management Personnel (CAMP).

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Directs, coordinates and performs the screening, diagnosis, and basic and emergency medical treatment of animals in the shelter.
• Performs or supervises the visual monitoring of impounded animals, including those that may be isolated or quarantined for signs of illness or unusual behavior.
• Performs surgical procedures, including spay/neuters and vaccinates animals to prevent diseases.
• Maintains accurate medical records of animals.
• Effectively communicates the condition and status of animals with staff, public and animal groups.
• Advises staff on matters within the veterinary field.
• Orders, maintains and controls the drugs used at the shelter and in the field.
• Trains appropriate staff in administering first aide and vaccinations to animals, the performance of euthanasia and other paramedical duties.
• Performs and directs staff to perform euthanasia of animals that are irremediably suffering from serious illness or severe injury, as necessary
• Ensures that shelter staff participates in a comprehensive disease prevention program for the animal shelter.
• Participates in special spay/neuter or vaccination clinics.
• Supervises staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; providing technical guidance to staff; ensuring staff are trained; and making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations.
• Ensures compliance of activities to codes and all legal regulations.

Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 100 pounds while handling animals and equipment. Employees may work outside and be exposed to inclement weather, may be exposed to blood borne pathogens while using hypodermic needles on animals, may be exposed to animal scratches and bites, and may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, fumes, odors, gases, chemicals, pollens, and other airborne irritants.

Salary range for this classification is $168,495.60 - $205,252.32 annually. This range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

This position is open until filled. The next application review date is March 30, 2026. Following this date, applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis. Interviews will be scheduled on a biweekly basis based on application review.

Education and Experience:A degree from an accredited college or university in Veterinary Medicine.

Required Licensing (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.):

• Valid California license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of California is required.
• Ability to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration for controlled substances.

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

• Ability to examine, evaluate and treat shelter animals (primarily dogs and cats) in a professional and efficient manner
• Skill in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for medical staff
• Ability to operate assigned medical equipment
• Ability to make sound decisions, including prescribing medications and euthanasia of animals that are irremediably suffering from serious illness or severe injury
• Ability to develop and implement methods to control and prevent the spread of diseases in a shelter
• Knowledge of safety regulations and safe work practices

Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Collaboration - Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.

Decision Making – Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.

Initiative – Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Leadership - Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction.

Supervision - Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

Additional Competencies and/or Desirable Qualifications (Competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities that are more position specific and/or likely to contribute to more successful job performance.)

• Knowledge of California state, federal and municipal animal health laws and regulations governing the impounding, releasing and euthanasia of animals
• Experience in supervision and program management
• Experience performing spay/neuter procedures and vaccinations in a high-volume environment
• Experience handling and treating aggressive and/or feral animals
• Experience in training staff to rapidly identify animals requiring isolation or veterinary care. Experience using computers for tracking animals in the shelter
• Experience in the development of a comprehensive program of health care services for the animal shelter, establishing medical standards and procedures for the maintenance of healthy, safe and sanitary facilities.
• Experience in estimating veterinary requirements for the budget and monitoring expenditures
• Ability to negotiate and monitor contracted medical services with local animal clinics and veterinarians

SELECTION PROCESS:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Britney Mesa at britney.mesa@sanjoseca.gov.