Director, Shelter Medicine and Animal Health

Description

Purpose of Position: Responsible for the oversight of Humane Colorado shelter veterinary, behavior and foster teams. Develop innovative, evidence-based approaches to ensure the medical and behavioral needs of every animal sheltered at Humane Colorado are met. Provide strategic direction to optimize resources and ensure that veterinary and behavior operations are aligned with Humane Colorado’s mission and goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for all shelter veterinary and behavior operations, ensuring high-quality, integrated care across departments.
• Oversee and manage staff veterinarians, partnering with Lead Veterinarians on performance evaluations, coaching, and professional development of veterinarians and interns.
• Ensure veterinary staff consistently practice incremental medicine, applying strong critical thinking and sound medical decision-making within the organization’s scope of care.
• Lead, develop, and manage staff by providing clear communication, direction, and ongoing support; oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, mentoring, performance management, and employee development.
• Ensure staff meet safety standards and maintain compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Integrate Veterinary Professional Associates (VPAs), externs, and interns into daily operations, supporting skill development, collaboration, and a culture of continuous learning.
• Develop, manage, and monitor departmental budgets, ensuring responsible and effective use of resources.
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness across veterinary, behavior, and foster operations through data analysis, reporting, and presentations; implement improvements as needed.
• Work collaboratively with managers and veterinarians to ensure effective workflow, staffing, and resource allocation across departments.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of veterinary, foster, and behavior programs, policies, and protocols to maintain high standards of care.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce shelter management policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs), ensuring they are clearly communicated and consistently followed.
• Oversee contagion management protocols, including isolation procedures, sanitation standards, and disease prevention practices.
• Collaborate with shelter teams to ensure the appropriate and efficient flow of animals through all stages of care.
• Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships with organizational leadership to support strategic priorities and operational success.
• Participate in euthanasia decision-making and oversee the euthanasia training program to ensure compliance with state regulations and organizational standards.
• Develop and deliver training programs; maintain required licenses and ensure DEA compliance.
• Ensure the highest level of People Care is provided to staff, volunteers, patrons, donors, partners, and vendors, with all interactions reflecting the organization’s mission, values, and brand.
• Lead staff meetings and provide clear direction, communication, and alignment with organizational goals and mission.
• Stay current on industry trends, best practices, and advancements in animal welfare, veterinary medicine, and behavior to support innovation and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Development and Communications teams to support fundraising efforts by contributing program insights, data, and impact stories.
• Participate in donor engagement activities, including events, meetings, and tours.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements, program quality standards, and ongoing evaluation processes.
• Oversee vendor relationships, including negotiating and managing contracts for vaccines, medical supplies, equipment, and other resources.
• Ensure cost-effectiveness, quality control, and timely procurement in alignment with organizational policies.

People Care

People are the key to fulfilling our mission. Making internal and external patrons and their needs a primary focus is expected in all situations. This position interacts with and collaborates with employees at all levels of the organization. Communication occurs through face to face, telephone, and electronic interactions and may also include contact with the general public and business partners. Communication and contact must be clear, understandable, cooperative, professional, and respectful in all circumstances. Employees are expected to actively support a positive team environment, directly address conflict, and appropriately express concerns.

Competencies

Competencies are work behaviors and expectations necessary for successful job performance. They encompass knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and actions. Additional definitions for competencies may be obtained from Human Resources.

Organizational Key Competencies

• Job Knowledge
• Excellence
• Adapting to Change / Agility
• Dependability
• People Care

Leadership Core Competencies

• Project and Process Management
• Delivering Results
• People Leadership

Position Core Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Community Partnerships
• Conflict Management
• Financial Acumen
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Innovation
• Strong teaching and mentorship skills
• Strategic Thinking

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility

• Volunteers
• Manager, Veterinarians
• Manager, Shelter Veterinary Services
• Manager, Behavior
• Associate Manager, Shelter, Behavior and Veterinary Services
• Clinical and Surgical Instructor Veterinarian
• Lead Veterinarian

Travel

• This position may require travel to different work sites

Full-Time Benefits – Please visit our website for a comprehensive list of all offered benefits.

• Benefits (medical, dental, and vision)
• 401(k) with matching
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Sick Time
• Sabbatical
• Holiday Pay
• Employee discounts
• Discounted Pet Insurance
• and more!

Compensation: Starting at $150,000 - $170,000 annually (starting pay commensurate with market, experience, and equity)

Posting will remain open until filled, with a minimum posting period of 5 days.

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements

Handle and restrain animals of various sizes, weights, and temperaments. Subject to animal bites or scratches. Work performed in high noise level areas. Exposure to cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal dander, and feces. Exposure to radiation in association with performing radiology procedures. Physical efforts require constant bending, stooping, standing, climbing stairs, and walking. Repetitive motion associated with medical and surgical care. Frequent lifting of animals and objects with reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Position Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Ability to effectively lead a team
• Demonstrated excellent surgical skills
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• High emotional intelligence
• Ability to effectively communicate in writing
• Effective time management skills with the ability to triage cases and workload
• Ability to work well within a fast-paced environment
• High attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs

Required

Education: Doctoral degree in veterinary medicine

Work Experience:

• Five years of clinical experience post-graduation which includes surgery in high volume environment
• Two years of experience in shelter medicine
• Three years of experience in leadership directly managing a team

Special Training, Certification or Licensure:

• Current Colorado veterinary license
• Current DEA license or ability to obtain DEA license

Desired

• Experience performing orthopedic surgeries
• Advanced coursework or degrees in animal behavior, psychology, or related fields
• Leadership or management experience in clinic, hospital, or shelter environment
• Experience as a teacher or mentor of veterinary professionals or students