Associate Shelter Veterinarian

Associate Shelter Veterinarian

Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS)

Organization Overview

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) is a progressive animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming homeless, abused, neglected, and abandoned animals. GBHS is committed to innovative, compassionate shelter medicine and community-based solutions that reduce animal homelessness and unnecessary euthanasia.

GBHS offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, and a 401(k). To learn more, visit www.gbhs.org.

Position Summary

The Associate Shelter Veterinarian plays a vital role in overseeing the health and medical care of the GBHS shelter population, including operations within the Critical Care and Spay/Neuter Clinic, under the leadership of the Chief Medical Officer. This position is full-time and works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary veterinary and animal care team.

The Associate Veterinarian supports a comprehensive shelter medicine program, including high-volume spay/neuter services, a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program, community outreach initiatives, and an externship program that trains fourth-year veterinary students in soft tissue surgical skills.

Reports To

Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

Key Responsibilities

Clinical & Surgical Care

• Diagnose and treat animals throughout the shelter population

• Provide care for sick, injured, and at-risk animals

• Perform spay/neuter surgeries, including procedures for select owned animals

• Conduct emergency surgical procedures as required

• Perform physical examinations and evaluate bite cases

• Develop and implement medical and surgical treatment plans

Shelter Medicine & Population Health

• Manage disease prevention, control, and overall animal health

• Ensure humane treatment of all animals in the shelter

• Support shelter population management strategies focused on saving all healthy and treatable animals

• Provide immediate medical diagnostics and response to animal health and safety concerns

Programs & Community Outreach

• Support and grow the GBHS Project Pet SAFE Program, reducing shelter intake and euthanasia

• Provide rabies vaccinations for animal care and control reclaims

• Participate in community wellness clinics via the GBHS mobile medical unit

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with local veterinary partners

Education & Leadership

• Provide guidance, mentorship, and training to veterinary medical staff

• Assist with training fourth-year veterinary students through the GBHS Veterinary Externship Programs

• Serve as a leader within a fast-paced, team-oriented environment

Compliance & Documentation

• Evaluate animals involved in cruelty or neglect investigations and provide written medical documentation

• Ensure accurate, timely data entry and medical record keeping

• Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary work environment

• Perform related duties as required

Education Requirements

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

Required Qualifications

• Current Alabama veterinary license with a clean practice record

• Demonstrated strong surgical skills

• Valid driver’s license with insurable driving record

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications

• Excellent attention to detail

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

• Strong time management and case triage skills

• Effective written and verbal communication skills

• High emotional intelligence and professionalism

• Ability to lead and collaborate within a multidisciplinary team

Preferred Qualifications

• Current DEA license or ability to obtain one

• Five (5) or more years of experience in a high-volume, full-service veterinary setting

• Ability to obtain a premise permit from the Alabama Veterinary Board

• Experience in shelter medicine and/or high-quality, high-volume (HQ/HV) surgical environments

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform essential job functions. Employees must regularly stand, walk, sit, reach, bend, kneel, crouch, climb, balance, and use hands for fine motor tasks. Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds is required. Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception, as well as the ability to adjust focus. Employees must meet all general employment requirements outlined in the GBHS Employee Handbook.

Work Environment

This position operates in a fast-paced shelter environment with exposure to live and deceased animals, including those with unknown medical or behavioral histories. Employees may encounter animal waste, strong odors, industrial cleaning chemicals, dust, dander, parasites, bites, scratches, and zoonotic diseases. The role requires the ability to work in an environment that provides humane euthanasia. Employees must act safely and responsibly at all times.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.