Shelter Veterinarian

Salary : $148,096.00 - $236,953.60 Annually
Location : Riverside
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 26-73524-01
Department: Animal Services
Division: RV Ops - Shelter Medicine
Opening Date: 08/24/2026


For questions regarding this position, please contact the Recruiter listed in the Supplemental Information section.

ABOUT THE POSITION
The Animal Services Department seeks a Shelter Veterinarian (Veterinary Surgeon) for the Jurupa, San Jacinto, and Thousand Palms locations.


This position will perform a wide range of duties including spay/neuter responsibilities in a clinic/mobile environment, performance of various other small animal surgeries, and provision of medical oversight of impounded animals. The most competitive candidates will have shelter medicine and high volume spay/neuter experience (training available for motivated candidates with interest in this field). While the primary responsibility is the performance of sterilization surgeries (25-40/day) on shelter animals and privately owned pets, ample opportunity exists to perform other soft tissue or orthopedic surgical procedures to improve quality of life and adoptability of shelter animals. In addition to surgical responsibilities, candidate will perform examinations, develop, and oversee treatment plans and medical progress of sick and injured shelter animals.


In addition, the Shelter Veterinarian oversees a team of registered veterinary technicians, animal care staff and clerical support personnel as their duties relate to contagious disease control, medical care and the general well-being of individual animals and the shelter population as a whole. Our compassionate, hard-working team cares for more than 40,000 animals per year within the 4th most populous county in the State of California.


If you are a licensed veterinarian and meet the minimum qualifications, we want you to apply. The benefits of this position are many which include: a wide scope of responsibilities allowing you to grow as a professional, regular business hours, no emergency or evening work, excellent pay and benefits, a defined pension plan, generous annual vacation accrual, paid holidays, and life insurance.


This is a unique opportunity to join a dedicated team of animal care professionals and allow the selected candidate to take their career to the next level.

This class has been designated At-Will by the Board of Supervisors, in accordance with the provisions provided under Article 6, Section 601E (8) of the County Management Resolution and serves at the pleasure of the Department Head.
If you are a current Department of Animal Services employee interested in a lateral transfer to San Jacinto, please apply and contact Harold Jones.


Meet the Team!
The Riverside County has a vision for promoting an environment of responsible pet ownership through progressive animal welfare initiatives, community outreach, and humane education in a culture of compassion, creativity, and integrity.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Perform physical examinations, preventive care, diagnostics, and treatments on a variety of animal species.
Using appropriate medical equipment, perform sterilization and other surgeries as necessary on animals; administer anesthesia and/ or other medications as needed.
Perform immunizations on animals for purpose of disease control.
Perform post-mortem exams on a variety of animals in order to make a diagnosis and/or document pathological findings for animal cruelty cases and to ensure community health.
Maintain control of medicinal and surgical supplies.
Ensure through subordinate staff all office equipment and miscellaneous supplies required for clinic activities are maintained at an adequate level and that requisitions are prepared and submitted through appropriate channels as necessary.
Supervise employees to ensure clinic work is adequately performed; instruct, train and advise paraprofessional staff in the proper care and treatment of animals including the euthanasia of dogs, cats, birds and livestock.
Assign and review work of subordinate staff; respond to inquiries from the public and department employees relative to the health and medical conditions of impounded animals.
Maintain detailed and accurate medical records on individual animals; prepare reports and compose correspondence.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited school of veterinary medicine with a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Knowledge of: The principles and practices of modern veterinary medicine, particularly as they relate to the treatment of small animals like dogs and cats; the methods of examining and preparing animals for surgery and of testing and treating them for disease; the laws and regulations governing licensing, quarantine, impounding and care and treatment of animals.
Ability to: Administer medical treatment to and perform surgery on animals; diagnose diseases among animals; deal tactfully and effectively with the public; prepare correspondence, records and reports as necessary.
Physical exposures: This position may require working in an environment with exposure to animal smells, dander, excrement, fluids/wounds, and aggressive animals.
The Veterinary Surgeon may assist with euthanasia of animals and/or lifting of animals for disposal and impounding.
License: A valid license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of California. (An applicant lacking a valid license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of California may be appointed provided he/she acquires the license within 12 months from date of hire.)

Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Application Status:
How to confirm your application was received or check on the status of your application, log-in to , click on your name in the upper right corner, and click on "Applications & Status."

Sign Up for Job Alerts:
Go to , click on "Careers," click on "County Job Openings," and click on "Subscribe to Job Alerts" icon.

For questions regarding this recruitment:
Contact Amanda Campos at View phone number on click.appcast.io or Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.
APPLICATION INFORMATION

Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, attach the required documents to your job application. Documents include a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service. For spousal preference, and as applicable, the following documents: a copy of your marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, a letter of spouse's disability and/or letter of service-related death (if available) from the U.S. Veteran's Administration. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. For complete details and documentation requirements, please review the Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 here:
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at:
Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services () or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ().
Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.
Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.
General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.
Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the ' Apply ' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site,
If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at View email address on click.appcast.io or toll-free View phone number on click.appcast.io.
BENEFIT PROGRAM: MCU
MEDICAL/DENTAL INSURANCE: A Flexible Benefit Credit is provided on a monthly basis as governed by the Management Resolution or applicable bargaining unit. Vision coverage is provided through Vision Service Plan (VSP) at no cost to employee or eligible dependents.

Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT : County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

• Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
• Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
• Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. Effective July 1, 2023 employee contributions are 7.25% and will increase to 7.75% effective July 1, 2024.

A new member is defined as any of the following:

1. A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.
2. A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.
3. A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.
Note:

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to or by calling the Benefits Information Line at View phone number on click.appcast.io,
Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at View phone number on click.appcast.io to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

401(a) MONEY PURCHASE PLAN: County contribution of $50 per pay period towards choice between two 401(a) plan providers.

ANNUAL LEAVE (Bi-Weekly Accrual):
0 < 36 months = 8.92 Hours
36 to <108 months = 10.46 Hours
108 or more months = 12.00 Hours

Maximum Annual Leave accumulation is 1,800 hours. Employee may receive pay in lieu of up to 80 hours per calendar year. Agency/Department Head may approve an additional 80 hours.

HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 days can be taken through use of accrued leave balances).

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY (LTD): Benefit pays 66.67% of earnings to a maximum of $10,000 per month; 30-day waiting period; pays to age 65. Benefit can be coordinated with other available leave balances to provide up to 100% of pay.

POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the Management Resolution or applicable bargaining unit.

OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, Management Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.
01


Have you graduated from an accredited school of veterinary medicine with a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you possess a license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of California? What is your current licensure status?

• Yes, I am licensed
• No
• No, but I expect to obtain licensure shortly.
• No, test results are pending.

03


Select the answer that best describes your current driver license status:

• I have a valid California Class A license.
• I have a valid California Class B license.
• I have a valid California Class C license.
• I am able to obtain a valid California driver license.
• I currently have a valid out-of-state driver license, and am able to obtain a valid California driver license.
• I do not have and/or I am not able to obtain a California driver license.

04


Please describe your experience as it relates to responsibility for the performance of sterilization surgery on animals at a County Spay and Neuter Clinic or Mobile Spay and Neuter Clinic.
Required Question