Staff Veterinarian

Location: Kanab, Utah (relocation assistance available)

Hiring Range: This position's hiring range is anticipated to be $132,000 to $165,000 annually, depending on experience, plus great benefits! 

Interviews will occur weekly until the position is filled.

While Staff Veterinarians work as a team to provide for all veterinary needs across departments, there are multiple areas within which you can grow or apply your passions in the role. We’re seeking veterinarians who have professional interests that include:

• Shelter medicine – Dogtown and Cat World help save animals from under-resourced shelters across the region and the country. They provide care and treatment with the goal of finding a loving, adoptive home as efficiently as possible.

• Exotics – From Parrot Garden and Bunny House to Wild Friends with a full wildlife rehabilitation and education program, the Sanctuary cares for an incredible variety of species for adoption, release to the wild, or lifetime care when needed. 

• Large animals – Horse Haven is home to horses, but also goats, pigs, and the occasional donkey. With a new, state-of-the-art headquarters and veterinary clinic, Horse Haven is a world-class equine medicine experience. 

• High-volume, high-quality, spay and neuter surgeries – spay and neuter surgeries are critical in our work to Save Them All.

• Urgent care and general practice – Best Friends veterinary team responds to the routine and urgent needs of the animals in our care and others within the clinic facility, ensuring animals receive the care they need in this beautiful rural community. 

Position Summary: Best Friends staff veterinarians provide high quality veterinary care for Best Friends Animal Society program animals. This includes pets in our care as well as high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter surgeries and other surgeries and care for Best Friends public and partner lifesaving activities. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table. Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness and positive influence with each other, our visitors, and volunteers as well as to the animals every day. This includes listening, being present, being supportive of others and demonstrating compassion and curiosity in conflict. 

• Responsible for the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of program animals; uphold medical standards of care; perform a variety of procedures as needed including high-volume spay and neuter; maintain knowledge of shelter medicine including common infectious diseases and conditions and their treatment; conduct diagnostic procedures.

• Support on call and emergency response; ensure a safe and effective clinic environment, educate, mentor, and coach veterinary students, technicians, assistants, and volunteers; communicate with shelters, outside veterinarians, and clinics regarding cases including referrals or post-adoption support. 

• Promote continuing development of medical care through continued education; keep abreast of veterinary concerns and trends in animal welfare; and uphold the highest standards of professionalism.

• Lead by example in delivering superior customer service in our operations, where we relate to all visitors, adopters, fosters, and others in a friendly, informational, and professional manner. 

• Work collaboratively with and assist Best Friends’ team members in all areas of operations to develop, evolve, and implement efficient processes to achieve lifesaving goals; follow policies, procedures, and task lists, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping. 

• Maintain a safe workplace, value, and model safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and addressing or communicating to leadership about unsafe practices and conditions.

Skills and Experience:

• Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM, VMD), work experience preferred but new graduates considered.

• ​Licensed in good standing with state veterinary board, license or application for license with Drug Enforcement Agency.

• Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats, dogs and other species, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs, cats and a variety of other species. Equine experience preferred but not required. 

• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills preferred but not required. 

• Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process. 

• Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.  

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.  

• Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn. 

Physical Requirements:

• Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.   

• Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.     

• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.   

• Exposure to dogs, cats and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.    

• Valid driver’s license, meeting Best Friends Animal Society’s driver qualification standards; ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed.    

• Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; position includes on call shifts, weekends, nights, and holiday work.