RELIEF Shelter Veterinarian

Job Title :  Relief Shelter Veterinarian
Department : Veterinary Services – 09  
Job Classification :  Part-Time/Variable-Hour Employee (W-2)
Job Relationships : Reports to the Chief Veterinarian.
Schedule : As needed, based on organizational needs and employee availability

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. This is an evergreen posting.

Expected hiring rate is $75-90/hour and may be negotiable with commensurate experience.

General Purpose
NOCO Humane is seeking an experienced and compassionate Relief Veterinarian to provide high-quality veterinary care to animals in our care on an as-needed basis. This part-time, variable-hour employee position supports our Veterinary Services team by providing coverage during staff absences, periods of increased medical demand, and other operational needs.
The position reports to the Chief Veterinarian and is expected to follow NOCO Humane’s established policies, procedures, and medical protocols while exercising independent veterinary judgement. 
The ideal candidate is skilled in veterinary medicine and surgery, comfortable working in a fast-paced shelter environment, and able to work both independently and collaboratively with our veterinary and shelter teams. This position offers flexible scheduling based on organizational needs and employee availability, with no guaranteed minimum number of hours.

Duties & Responsibilities

- Provide veterinary services, including medical examinations, diagnostics, emergency care, treatments, and surgical procedures.

- Assess animal health, diagnose medical conditions, and develop appropriate treatment plans.

- Perform spay/neuter surgeries, dental procedures, and other surgical procedures on shelter and owned animals, as appropriate.

- Provide medical examinations, care, and monitoring for shelter animals and animals in foster care in accordance with established standards of care.

- Collaborate with Veterinary Services and shelter staff to ensure consistent, high-quality animal care.

- Communicate medical updates, concerns, treatment recommendations, and patient progress with appropriate staff.

- Manage medical cases, ensuring timely follow-up care and accurate documentation.

- Complete and maintain accurate medical and treatment records in both electronic and paper formats, as applicable.

- Evaluate treatment options for injured or ill shelter animals and provide recommendations regarding medical care, quality of life, and humane euthanasia when appropriate.

- Follow established organizational policies, medical protocols, and procedures while exercising appropriate professional veterinary judgment.

- Support shelter population health, disease prevention, and infectious disease management efforts.

- Ensure compliance with applicable veterinary laws, regulations, professional standards, and organizational policies

- Perform other veterinary duties as assigned based on organizational needs.

Qualifications

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.

- Minimum of 1–2 years of veterinary experience preferred; experience in shelter medicine, high-volume spay/neuter, or relief veterinary practice is a plus.

- Strong diagnostic, surgical, and patient care skills.

- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced shelter environment with varying medical needs and priorities.

- Excellent communication, organizational, and documentation skills.

- Ability to work independently while maintaining effective collaboration with veterinary and shelter staff.

- Sound clinical judgment and the ability to make timely, compassionate medical decisions.

- Ability to adapt to changing schedules, patient needs, and organizational priorities.

- Compassion for animals and a commitment to high standards of animal welfare and humane care.

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.

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. This position is not eligible for benefits such as medical, dental, vision, etc. This position is eligible for mandated sick time as determined by the State of Colorado (1 hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked).