Shelter Veterinarian (Veterinary Surgeon)- Per Diem

Salary : $432,640.00 Annually
Location : Riverside
Job Type: Temporary
Job Number: 26-73525-01TBA
Department: Animal Services
Division: RV Ops - Shelter Medicine
Opening Date: 01/05/2026


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

ABOUT THE POSITION
The County of Riverside Human Resources Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) is seeking a Veterinary Surgeon- Per Diem to support the Department of Animal Services 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.

Please watch our video regarding County of Riverside Veterinary Surgeons:
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.


About TAP
The Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) recruits and hires temporary employees for all County departments. TAP assignments are a great way to learn about working for the County while working on a temporary, at-will basis.
Click here to learn more about TAP:
TAP Benefits:
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
For specific questions regarding this position, contact Brian Arcinas at View phone number on click.appcast.io or Please allow up to 2 business days to receive a response.


BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE.

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 or toll-free View phone number on click.appcast.io.
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.
Per Diem employees participate in the 401(a) Temporary and Part-Time Employees' Retirement Plan and are required to contribute 3.75% of salary to the pension plan. The County contributes a matching amount.
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