Principal Veterinarian

Job Description

Job Description

Principal LAM Veterinarian – Mixed Species Facility, Reno NV

Location: Reno, Nevada (minutes from Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevadas)

Reports to: General Manager, Reno Site

Direct Reports: Veterinarians & IACUC Administrators (with opportunity to expand to vet tech supervision, surgery oversight, or additional leadership as site grows)

Why Join Us?

Ask anyone on our veterinary team why they chose this company and this site, and you’ll hear a common theme: the people, the culture, and the balance.

Many of our newer veterinarians came from academia or companion animal practice, only to discover that here they found:

• Support for life outside of work. Starting a family, pursuing personal goals, or just needing real work-life balance; we celebrate that, not penalize it.

• A collaborative, team-first environment. No silos, no “that’s not my job” attitudes. When animal welfare is at stake, everyone steps up.

• A place to grow. Whether your path is clinical, specialized (surgery, imaging, advanced procedures), or leadership, we invest in your development and give you a clear ladder to climb.

• Location, location, location. Reno offers all the advantages of a smaller city while being minutes from skiing, hiking, and the beauty of Lake Tahoe

What You’ll Do

As a Principal Veterinarian, you’ll serve as both a scientific leader and a mentor within our Laboratory Animal Medicine (LAM) team. Your role blends hands-on clinical work with strategic leadership and client engagement.

• Veterinary Leadership:

• Provide oversight for staff and senior veterinarians, along with IACUC administrators.

• Mentor new veterinarians, many transitioning from companion animal practice.

• Foster a collaborative, fast-paced, flexible team culture where every day is different.

Client Engagement:

• Lead client-facing veterinary discussions, relieving the Attending Vet from taking every call.

• Translate regulatory knowledge and clinical expertise into clear communication for sponsors.

Clinical Excellence:

• Perform and supervise advanced procedures (ophthalmic, neurological, surgical, anesthetic).

• Help develop and implement new techniques, protocols, and animal welfare initiatives.

• Be a thought partner in “can we do this?” sponsor requests as well as lead the charge in making it possible.

Innovation & Mentorship:

• Champion new ideas in veterinary practice and animal welfare, helping us move beyond “we’ve always done it this way.”

• Mentor veterinarians in both clinical medicine and career development, whether toward specialization or management tracks.

On-Call Rotation

• One week on-call rotation (Monday–Sunday), shared across the vet team.

• Compensation includes:

• $500 bonus for being on-call.

• Choice of a comp day or $150/hour after-hours pay for time worked.

• Most vets choose comp days, though one week of emergencies recently meant a colleague paid for a family trip with her overtime check!

What We’re Looking For

• DVM/VMD with ACLAM board certification (or eligibility).

• Experience in laboratory animal medicine and regulatory requirements.

• Strong communication skills: comfortable on client calls and mentoring colleagues.

• A team player who thrives in a fast-paced, flexible environment where the unexpected is part of the job.

• Leadership potential: whether as a people manager, a clinical specialist, or both.

Red flags for us: needing rigid schedules, reluctance to adapt in the moment, or an inability to collaborate when things get busy.

What Sets Reno Apart

• A site that genuinely values animal welfare and innovation , with dedicated Animal Welfare Specialists.

• A young, energetic team that loves coming to work (several tell us daily, “I love my job”).

• Regular site-wide appreciation events such as food trucks, coffee trucks, ice cream socials, and team lunches.

• Leadership that ensures you’re seen and heard through one-on-ones, open communication, and development planning.

Career Growth

There are new veterinary career ladder opens doors for Principal Vets to:

• Pursue specialization in surgery, imaging, or advanced procedures.

• Transition into managerial leadership with expanded oversight of vet techs or surgical teams.

• Continue to grow clinically while carving out a niche that excites you.