Temporary Veterinarian: Part-time
Listed compensation
$100-$120/hr
The week · per this posting
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
- Job Location: Joybound - Walnut Creek, CA 94598
- Position Type: Part Time
- Salary Range: $100.00 - $120.00 HourlyPosition Summary: Position Summary: Provide veterinary surgery, dentistry and practice medicine for Joybound’s shelter guests and publicly-owned dogs and cats in support of Joybound programs including, public spay/neuter and dentistry, Community Veterinary Care (CVC), public vaccine clinics, Veteran’s Wellness clinics, Shelter to Service, and community cat partners.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Provide high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter surgery and other surgical services for shelter guests and the general public in support of Joybound programs, both onsite and on mobile unit. Support and/ or perform dental procedures for shelter and public patients in support of Joybound programs.
Provide excellent veterinary medical care including physical exams, diagnostic planning and incremental care treatment plans for patients seen in Joybound’s programs.
Work collaboratively with all Joybound Clinic staff, including the Joybound veterinarians, support staff and the Director of Veterinary Services to ensure that the Joybound Clinic meets or exceeds the minimum standards of care established by the California State Veterinary Medical Board.
Evaluate the physical health of shelter guests at time of intake and throughout their stay, and prescribe appropriate medical care as needed, in accordance with shelter medicine standards of care, principles of Capacity for Care (C4C), and the prevention of infectious diseases.
This may include coordinating and communicating with outside veterinary care providers for special cases. Maintain complete and accurate medical records of diagnosis, treatment, and other care administered, including disclosures for adopters.
Perform humane euthanasia of publicly owned animals and animals that do not meet Joybound’s adoption criteria in accordance with Joybound’s behavior and medical matrices. Train and monitor fourth year DVM student externs and intern doctors in HQHVSN techniques, wellness and shelter medicine.
Collaborate closely with the Wellness team to support the behavioral health and treatment of shelter guests; handle all dogs and cats in a safe and humane manner at all times, demonstrating the highest level of care and concern.
Comply with all federal, state, and local safety regulations and laws, as well as Joybound policies, protocols, and guidelines, including, but not limited to, the secure handling, documentation and administration of controlled substances, and maintaining confidentiality.
Follow established procedures governing safe work practices and perform duties in a manner that assures the safety of oneself and others. Perform other duties as assigned. Administrative
In collaboration with other Joybound veterinarians, the Director of Veterinary Services, and other staff as needed, develop, implement, and train staff in protocols to promote and improve a high standard of veterinary care for the shelter animal population. Attend Joybound management meetings when DVM input is needed.
Achieve departmental goals in alignment with Joybound’s strategic plan. Actively contribute to the development of staff members by sharing professional knowledge and improving staff and volunteer understanding of infection control practices, standards of care, and shelter medicine.
Always treat people and animals with respect, contribute to effective teamwork, promote staff cooperation, and foster public relations beneficial to Joybound.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited College of Veterinary Medicine and hold a valid license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of California issued by the California Veterinary Medical Board. Two years’ experience doing high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter (HVHQSN) preferred. Experience working with community groups, volunteers, and other nonprofit programs and organizations preferred. Knowledge of and professional training or experience in shelter medicine practice strongly preferred. Affection for animals, concern for their welfare, and a willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace. Ability to communicate with the public, volunteers, and co-workers in a pleasant, courteous, and tactful manner at all times. Demonstrate maturity, good judgment, and professional personal appearance. Comfortable and skilled in working with diverse staff, volunteers, and community. A pre-employment background screening is required. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Work environment includes constant exposure to animals and animal allergens. Push/pull moderately heavy objects up to 25 pounds. Lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 40 pounds for short distances and to humanely restrain animals when necessary. Walk dogs weighing up to 150 pounds in a variety of weather conditions. Kneel, bend, stoop, squat, reach above and below shoulder level, grasp and turn objects, stand, and/or walk frequently and repetitively throughout each shift. Flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and waist. Dexterity to handle animals and small objects. Assess medical and behavior changes in animals using a variety of techniques including, but not limited to, visually and audibly. Sit for both long and short periods of time while using a computer. Repetitively use hands for surgical and dental procedures. Must have a valid California Driver’s License, not have more than two at-fault incidents in a three-year period and no major at-fault violations in the last ten years, and must be insured. Tetanus and rabies inoculations are required or must be waived
- Hours: Exempt: Temporary
Part-time, exempt, onsite position requiring a maximum of 28 hours per week.
Hours and workdays may vary according to the needs of the department. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required. At Joybound, we value diversity and treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent.
We do not discriminate on the basis of or traits historically associated with race; color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.
Key Responsibilities
Provide high-quality veterinary surgical, dental, and medical care for shelter guests and public patients. Collaborate with clinic staff to maintain standards of care and support the behavioral health of animals.
Requirements
Must hold a valid license to practice veterinary medicine in California and have graduated from an accredited College of Veterinary Medicine. Two years of experience in high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter procedures is preferred.
Qualifications
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Veterinary Medicine Career Context
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$229k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $207k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 50 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 2% are remote, 98% have no call, 100% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 4.8 / 10 · above average in veterinary | ranked against 4,582 Veterinary listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $208k–$250k | Veterinary Medicine median $163k (middle half $153k–$182k)91 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$207k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Veterinary Medicine listings in California | 262 active | 3,147 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 2% remote · 98% no call · 100% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | California healthcare professional listings: 37% state a sign-on bonus (median $38k) · 14% offer loan repayment383 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Veterinary Medicine listings | 996 in the last 30 days | 502 the 30 days before (+98%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Veterinary Medicine pay trend | +3.7% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
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