Veterinarian - Training and Development

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking a Veterinarian - Training and Development to join our team. This is a full-time, FLSA exempt opportunity.

Since 1897, HSSW has been the leader in animal welfare across Southwest Washington. With an annual operating budget of $15 million, we are the largest and most innovative animal welfare organization in the region. Our shelter campuses in Vancouver and Longview, WA serve more than 10,000 animals each year, providing high-quality care, medical services, and the compassion they deserve.

Our community-based approach helps keep pets and people together. Through the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic, the Sandra Richardson Miller Mobile Veterinary Clinic, the Swigert Family Behavior & Training Center, and programs like free pet food and other essential resources, we serve more than 18,000 owned animals annually expanding access to affordable veterinary care, spay/neuter, training, and support.

We also own and operate ReTails Thrift Store, a top shopping destination named Best Thrift Store in Clark County for eight consecutive years, providing vital funding for our mission.

At HSSW, you’ll find an innovative, high-energy culture where your passion for animals and people can make a real difference. We’re looking for team members who want to be part of something bigger: supporting pets, strengthening families, and shaping the future of animal welfare in Southwest Washington. HSSW has been honored as Best Non-Profit for two years running—a recognition of our impact and leadership in the community.

Veterinarian - Training and Development

The Veterinarian - Training and Development is a newly created role that builds a consistent training pipeline across HSSW's Shelter Medicine and Community Medicine programs. This position owns veterinary training organization-wide, partnering with the Medical Director - Shelter Medicine, the Medical Director - Community Medicine, LVTs, veterinary assistants, and program directors to ensure a consistent, high-quality standard of care.

Core focus areas include SOP development and standardization, HQHVSN training, and spectrum of care deployment, with a central priority of mentoring newer veterinarians into confident shelter and community medicine practitioners.

This role executes training initiatives under the strategic direction of both Medical Directors, who retain final authority over clinical standards, policies, and protocols.

This role is structured as approximately 50% clinical mentorship, 25% direct clinical practice, and 25% training program development, SOP management, and cross-site coordination.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• New Veterinarian Development and Mentorship
• Design and lead a structured onboarding and development pathway for newly hired veterinarians
• Provide hands-on clinical mentorship in surgery, medical decision-making, and case management
• Conduct skills assessments and individualized development plans; deliver real-time coaching
• Track development milestones and report progress to the Medical Director - Shelter Medicine

SOP Management and Standardization

• Draft, write, and maintain SOPs for shelter medicine and community medicine clinical workflows for Medical Director review and approval
• Partner with both Medical Directors to keep SOPs current and evidence-based
• Train staff on new and updated SOPs and audit practice for consistency across campuses
• Support training on forensic examination protocols and evidence documentation standards, in partnership with the Medical Director - Shelter Medicine
• HQHVSN Training and Spectrum of Care
• Lead training on HQHVSN surgical protocols, anesthesia, and perioperative care
• Partner with Clinical Resource Veterinary Technicians to align surgical training standards
• Develop and deploy spectrum of care frameworks so staff can confidently offer a full range of care options
• Support staff in balancing gold-standard medicine with practical, resource-conscious treatment planning

Cross-Program Collaboration

• Align training priorities with both Medical Directors, the Director of Shelter Medicine, and program directors across shelter, foster, adoption, and community-based programs
• Coordinate with site leadership to ensure consistent workflows and medical standards across campuses
• Participate in medical leadership meetings and support recruiting and candidate evaluation
• Quality Assurance, CE, and Reporting
• Support medical record audits and surgical outcome reviews to identify training opportunities
• Coordinate continuing education and maintain training and competency documentation

Track training completion, time-to-independence, and outcome metrics; report regularly to the Medical Director - Shelter Medicine

Required Qualifications

DVM or VMD degree from an accredited institution Current Washington State veterinary license, or ability to obtain prior to employment

• Current DEA registration, or ability to obtain
• Minimum three years practicing veterinary medicine, including shelter medicine, community medicine, or HQHVSN
• Demonstrated experience training, mentoring, or coaching veterinarians, technicians, or students
• Experience performing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgery

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing SOPs, training curricula, or onboarding programs
• Experience with spectrum of care or access-to-care veterinary models
• Experience working across multiple sites; familiarity with ASV Guidelines and HQHVSN best practices

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

Work is performed within animal shelter, clinic, and community-based environments across Vancouver and Longview campuses, with exposure to animals of varying behavior and medical conditions, noise, zoonotic disease, cleaning chemicals, allergens, controlled substances, and radiographic equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to support their ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Nor does this document create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship. HSSW participates in E-Verify.

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $135,000 to $145,000. The starting pay within that range is dependent upon experience.

Employee Benefits and Perks

In addition to serving in an organization with a compassionate and strategic purpose, eligible employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and a variety of employee perks.

Benefits Include

• Health insurance effective the first of the month following hire (full-time employees).
• Dental and vision insurance effective the first of the month following hire.
• Matching percentage 401(k) retirement plan beginning the first month after hire, with a 3-year graded vesting schedule and ROTH contribution option.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to all employees and household members.
• Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and/or dependent day care expenses.
• Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance.
• Numerous employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer. To learn more about this Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, go to studentaid.gov.

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• PTO is granted at 3 weeks per year.

Additional Paid Time Includes

• Floating Holidays
• Bereavement leave
• Pet bereavement leave

Culture

Vision: A community where everyone loves and cares for animals.

Mission: Rescue. Return. Restore. Rehome. Reconnect. One animal at a time

Values: Compassion. Collaboration. Excellence. Service. Integrity.

The Ultimate Team Player

Displays interest, enthusiasm, and an affinity for working with people.

Demonstrates an attitude in being of-service, using good judgment, maintaining a positive outlook, and ideally, a sense of humor.

Works well in teams and demonstrates an attitude and commitment to collaboration with a sincere interest in helping others succeed.

• Is committed to achieving excellence individually and as a part of the team.
• Exhibits adaptability, curiosity, flexibility to change, open to new ideas, and encourages others to recognize changes in work tasks, situations, and environment as an opportunity for transformation.
• Is committed to personal and professional development through life-long learning.

How to Apply

• Does HSSW sound like the right place for you?
• Does this job sound like a great fit & do you meet the qualifications for this position?
• If so, then click the Apply button to begin your journey to join our team today. HSSW participates in E-Verify

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations during the hiring process for qualified applicants with disabilities.

For more information visit hssw.org.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.