JOB TITLE

Director of Community Veterinary & Surgical Services

DEPARTMENT

Veterinary Services

FUNCTION

The Director of Community Veterinary & Surgical Services provides medical leadership for the organization’s community-facing veterinary hospital. The Director ensures delivery of high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN), wellness, and outpatient services, while supervising community veterinarians and partnering with the Community Veterinary Hospital Manager to maintain efficient, client-centered operations. This role works in close collaboration with the Chief of Veterinary Services to align community programs with organizational medical standards, holds DEA authority for controlled substances, and helps guide the growth of public programs in support of the mission of accessible and humane veterinary care.  This role champions a Spectrum of Care approach, offering a range of evidence-based treatment options to keep pets in homes regardless of client resources while embedding Fear Free and low stress handling practices, and a strong emphasis on preventive and proactive care to avoid crises before they occur.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Staff Supervision

• Directly supervise community veterinarians, including relief and part-time DVMs. *
• Work in collaboration with the Community Veterinary Hospital Manager to ensure support for community veterinary support staff. *
• Provide coaching, mentoring, performance evaluations, and professional development for DVM staff. *
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and retention of community veterinary staff. *
• Facilitate regular meetings with hospital management and medical staff to monitor performance and address service needs *
  

Animal Intake, Outcome & Service Support

• Perform HQHVSN surgeries and outpatient medical procedures as well as monitor daily surgical procedures to ensure patient safety, workflow efficiency, and quality of care*
• Provide clinical leadership for all surgical and outpatient medical programs offered to the public. *
• Establish and oversee protocols for anesthesia, pain management, surgery, and wellness care. *
• Ensure continuity and consistency of treatment standards in collaboration with the Chief of Veterinary Services. *
• Monitor surgical and medical programs for patient safety, efficiency, and quality of care. *
• Guide the implementation of standardized HQHVSN protocols, anesthesia monitoring, and pain management procedures *
• Ensure the proper use and documentation of controlled substances across all community veterinary services *
  

Surgical and Medical Oversight

• Process shelter and clinic records and transactions including, but not limited to: adoptions, redemptions, surrenders, foster placements, transfers, euthanasia documentation, and clinic service transactions. *
• Accurately enter and maintain records within designated systems, which may include QuickBooks, Square, PetPoint, and IDEXX Neo, depending on assigned location and responsibilities. *
• Support daily financial processes including receipt handling, reconciliation support, and preparation of deposits as assigned. *
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels of forms, educational materials, office supplies, and client handouts across assigned sites. *
  

Operational and Programmatic Direction

• Collaborate with the Community Veterinary Hospital Manager to ensure efficient scheduling, patient flow, and facility operations. *
• Oversee expansion of community services such as wellness care, vaccine/microchip clinics, and outpatient programs with an emphasis on Spectrum of Care delivery, preventive and proactive care, pet retention, and ensuring services are provided in a Fear Free, low-stress manner. *
• Provide visible leadership during high-demand public events or clinics. *
• Support partnerships and outreach initiatives to expand access to veterinary care. *
• Work in collaboration with other Placer SPCA leadership members to develop and implement programmatic processes that proactively address barriers to care, strengthen pet retention, and support families in keeping pets with their owners. *
• Maintain clean, organized, and welcoming front-of-house environments across assigned locations, including lobbies, offices, adoption spaces, clinic reception areas, and public spaces. *
  

 Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Maintain DEA licensure for procurement, stocking, and oversight of controlled substances in community veterinary services. *
• Ensure controlled substances are purchased, stored, tracked, and dispensed in compliance with law, delegating daily handling to RVTs or pharmacy staff as appropriate. *
• Ensure compliance with California VMB, DEA, OSHA, IIPP, and other regulatory standards. *
• Participate in audits, case reviews, and quality improvement initiatives. *
• Maintain accurate records of patient care, controlled substance usage, and service statistics.
• Support the Community Veterinary Hospital Manager in implementation of safety protocols, sanitation standards, and staff training *
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with the Chief of Veterinary Services and the Community Veterinary Hospital Manager to align medical philosophies and operational standards across shelter and community programs. *
• Work with the Community Veterinary Hospital Manager to integrate daily medical care with operational efficiency and client-service priorities in the hospital setting. *
• Collaborate with leadership on organization-wide initiatives, interdepartmental communications, and population health strategies *
• Represent the Community Veterinary Clinic in public events, stakeholder meetings, and community outreach initiatives *
  

Client Services and Community Engagement

• Promote a culture of compassionate, respectful, and judgment-free service for all clients. *
• Ensuring service delivery remains accessible and culturally sensitive to meet the needs of a diverse community. *
• Maintain a positive and collaborative working relationship with the broader veterinary community, including referral clinics, private practices, and specialty providers *
• Assist with resolving complex client concerns or adverse events involving medical care *
• Support communication with community pet owners, and adopters to ensure understanding of treatment plans and preventive care. *
• Provide professional visibility and support during high-demand public clinic events. *

* Essential functions of the job

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD)
• Eligible for or currently holds a DEA license in California to support clinic site operations.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in veterinary medicine, with at least three (3) years in HQHVSN or community veterinary care, including proficiency in high-volume surgical protocols, anesthesia monitoring, and post-operative care.
• Demonstrated commitment to Spectrum of Care, preventive medicine, and Fear Free/low-stress handling.
• Proven leadership and organizational skills, with experience mentoring veterinarians, RVTs, and support staff, and managing complex workflows in a multi-program environment.
• Strong knowledge of veterinary facility operations, client services, and inventory management.
• Ability to engage community members and external stakeholders with professionalism, cultural awareness, and compassion.
• Proficiency in veterinary software systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Required to operate a motor vehicle to attend meetings and special events, run errands, etc. as needed.
• Must possess a valid California driver’s license and maintain a driving record that meets the standards of our insurance provider.
• Must be at least 21 years of age to meet legal requirements associated with the duties of this role.
• Must be in good physical and mental health and capable of lifting up to 50 lbs. with assistance.
• Must be willing to undergo a background check as required by organizational policy.
• No allergic conditions aggravated by exposure to animals.
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and community outreach events as needed.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certification in Fear Free, low-stress handling, HQHVSN training, or shelter medicine specialization; demonstrated commitment to Spectrum of Care and preventive medicine strongly valued.
• Experience developing community access-to-care programs (e.g., wellness, preventive, or outreach clinics), engaging with diverse community members, and addressing barriers to veterinary care.
• Experience with budgets, program evaluation, or revenue/cost analysis in a veterinary setting.
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Position Classification: Full-time Exempt
• Starting salary range: $140,000 – $160,000/annually depending on relevant experience
• Salary range $140,000-$170,000 with merit-based adjustments in accordance with organizational policy.
• Exposure to animals that may be ill, injured, or displaying aggressive behavior.
• Regular handling of surgical tools, and controlled substances.
• Physically demanding, dynamic, and at times stressful environment requiring frequent standing, lifting, time in surgery, and regular exposure to sick, injured, aggressive, or deceased animals. Require resilience, adaptability, compassion, and sound judgment.
• Work performed in an emotionally charged setting that requires resilience, adaptability, and sound judgment.
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, parasites, cleaning chemicals, and facility maintenance substances.
• Full-time, 40-hour workweek with flexibility for occasional weekends, holidays, or outreach events