BrightSide Animal Center
Shelter Veterinarian

BrightSide Animal Center (BrightSide) is a high-save shelter dedicated to providing sheltering, placement, and prevention services to reduce animal homelessness and unnecessary euthanasia. As an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, BrightSide has been helping people and animals in Central Oregon for over 30 years. Located in Redmond, Oregon, BrightSide serves northern Deschutes County including the cities of Redmond, Terrebonne, Sisters, Tumalo, and Bend.

This is a unique opportunity to be a part of a dynamic leadership team who will usher in a new phase of growth and innovation at BrightSide. We are a passionate, high-performing team who believe that collaboration is key to our success. We do our best work by leveraging each other’s strengths and making sure to create opportunities for the work to be fun and meet our individual goals.

We take our mission seriously: We envision a better world for animals and the people who love them, and we’re dedicated to making that vision a reality.

Are you an energetic and experienced veterinarian with a passion to help shelter animals? Do you thrive in collaboration and get excited by program-building? If your answer is YES, we invite you to apply for the role of Shelter Veterinarian at BrightSide Animal Center.

Qualifications and Duties
The Shelter Veterinarian for BrightSide is the lead shelter medical and surgical staff member. Provides direction to the department to establish best practices in shelter medicine and High Quality, High Volume (HQHV) surgical practices. Working in collaboration, establishes appropriate veterinary policies for all shelter operations. Adheres to the highest ethical standards and ensures that veterinary care is provided in a safe, competent, professional, and humane manner. Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the shelter medicine program, including herd management and HQHV spay/neuter. This role requires collaboration and teamwork with a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), a Veterinary Assistant, and Staff at BrightSide. Interacting with kennel staff, fosters, volunteers, and at times, the public is also required.

Responsibilities

• Practice high quality shelter medicine and surgery at the BrightSide Animal Center.
• Perform HQHV spay/neuter on juvenile and adult cats, dogs, and rabbits.
• Manage a varied in-house patient caseload and perform an array of non-spay/neuter surgeries including soft tissue and orthopedic procedures.
• Develop, implement, and monitor veterinary medical programs that achieve and maintain the highest standard of animal and veterinary care in a shelter environment.
• Ensure that BrightSide is staying up to date on best practices in shelter medicine and HQHV surgery.
• Collaborate with and mentor contract/relief Veterinarians and veterinary staff specifically to their provision of veterinary medicine and surgery.
• Maintain a culture of collaboration and teamwork among the entire shelter medicine team.
• Work with the Shelter Operations Manager and other departments to effectively and efficiently coordinate care and quarantine of infectious disease and affected animals.
• Perform surgical procedures daily including HQHV spay/neuter, dentistry, and various soft tissue and orthopedic procedures.
• Perform veterinary medical functions including examination and treatment of shelter animals.
• Perform necropsies as needed.
• Supervise the use, control, and recording of controlled drugs used in department according to federal, state, and BrightSide regulations and procedure.
• Participate in euthanasia decision making. Train and certify staff to perform euthanasia procedures. Collaborate with the Shelter Operations Manager on euthanasia training and SOP development.
• Support local law enforcement investigations through evaluation, documentation, and testimony about the condition of animals involved in cruelty, neglect, abandonment, and other investigation cases. Assist with coordination of external resources related to the development of veterinary related evidence as needed.
• Work with BrightSide intake staff and local veterinarians to triage all incoming medical cases as needed.
• Develop SOPs and ensure they are updated and practiced with staff and volunteers.
• Participate in strategic initiatives as appropriate.
• Monitor and evaluate departmental/area processes and procedures alongside the Shelter Operations Manager to maximize efficient uses of resources.
• Participate in inter-departmental meetings and discussions to support and develop BrightSide initiatives, as needed.
• Commit to ongoing education on veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and staff supervision.
• Remain abreast of veterinary and shelter medicine scientific literature and best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Current Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and licensed to practice in Oregon.
• Solid veterinary medical foundation and knowledge of shelter medicine principles.
• Passion for providing access to care for animals and making a difference in the community.
• Flexibility in learning new techniques and skills to meet the growing shelter needs.
• Proficiency in high quality, high volume spay/neuter techniques. Must be able to (or the desire to work up to be able to) perform 20-25 spay/neuter surgeries per day, including pediatric spays/neuters, abdominal/inguinal cryptorchid castrations and non-routine spays. Patients are a mix of shelter and foster cats, dogs, and rabbits, as well as community cats through our TNR program.
• Interest in dental and oral surgery (or a desire to learn) a plus.
• Willingness and ability to work in close quarters in a shelter clinic setting.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to support and lead a team is a must.
• Location: Residence in or relocation to the BrightSide service area.
• Computer skills: Proficient with Microsoft Office products and willingness to learn appropriate shelter management software and digital records keeping.
• Time commitment: A minimum commitment of two years to BrightSide.
• Valid Oregon Driver’s License: Attaining (or possession of) a valid Oregon Driver’s License within 60 days of start of employment is a requirement for continued employment. Maintaining a satisfactory driving record and valid Oregon Driver’s License are ongoing conditions of employment.

Nature of Employment

The Shelter Veterinarian reports to the Executive Director. It is a salaried position and can be negotiated for part-time or full-time. Part-time requires a minimum of three (3) scheduled days onsite at the shelter.

Compensation

The salary range is $80,000 to $125,000. Starting salary is dependent upon experience. Benefits include paid time off, health insurance and other optional insurance with employee contribution. Relocation costs can be negotiated if needed.

In addition, if you are in a full-time position you will also receive paid Oregon veterinary licensure, continuing education support, and annual memberships (American Veterinary Medical Association, Association of Shelter Veterinarians, and Association for Animal Welfare Advancement).

How to Apply
Email your one-page cover letter and resume to: Kaylin Roth at kroth@brightsideanimals.org. Acknowledgement will be emailed upon receipt of your cover letter and resume.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applications received after July 31, 2023 may not be considered.

About BrightSide Animal Center

With an annual budget of about $1.3 million and 32 part-time and full-time staff members, BrightSide is a community-supported, nonprofit animal welfare shelter. It also operates a thrift store and a can and bottle recycling program to supplement charitable donations. Over half of the approximately 1,500 dogs and cats who arrive at BrightSide each year enter the shelter as strays, through city and county contracts. The shelter’s goal is to place every dog and cat into a loving home except for sick or injured animals that have poor prognosis for quality life or aggressive animals that pose a threat to the community. No animals are euthanized for time or space.

About the Community
Redmond, Oregon is a mid-sized, quaint high desert community, nestled in the heart of Central Oregon with panoramic views of the snow-capped Cascade Mountain
Range. Known for its progressive and innovative leadership, the City enjoys a state-wide reputation for its ability to undertake and implement projects and programs that benefit its current and future residents. The demographic profile ranges from young families to retirees.

Visitors and residents enjoy over 300 days of sunshine and refreshingly cool desert evenings. Redmond combines a rich community heritage and small-town charm with a zeal for the great outdoors. One can dine at one of Redmond's family-owned cafes, craft breweries, or the growing number of specialty restaurants that have recently called Redmond home. During the summer months, one can enjoy weekly free concerts in the canyon parks and an active farmers market featuring local goods at Centennial Park downtown.

In the heart of Redmond is the Dry Canyon, a 250-acre multi-use park and trail system. The Dry Canyon Trail is a 3.7-mile-long paved trail that winds between volcanically formed canyon walls, city parks and protected natural areas. Whether in search of a relaxing day hike or a rigorous climb, one will appreciate the variety of choices in and around Redmond.

Long known as the hub of Central Oregon, Redmond has attracted newcomers from all over. During the last 20 years, the city has steadily grown to more than 30,000 citizens today. This has brought about rapid change and remarkable success.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person