Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, located in Playa Vista, is a unique community space featuring pet adoptions, a humane education program, and a leadership institute for animal science and welfare advancement. Annenberg PetSpace focuses on the mutually beneficial and dynamic bond between people and their pets, as well as the origins and community impact of that relationship.

Position Summary:

• The Veterinarian will be joining a stellar medical team comprised of a skilled veterinarian, an RVT, and two veterinary technicians. The candidate must possess high standards of professional conduct and have experience in exercising leadership.  This position must have knowledge of best practices in caring for domestic animals and be able to guide the work of others with an integrated management approach.  This position will be responsible for overseeing the veterinary needs of all animals housed at PetSpace along with animals of partner agencies and occasionally owned pets who are participating in community events such as vaccine and wellness clinics. There will be times that the veterinarian and other medical staff will be asked to participate in animal care and with helping to create and implement related programming for a unique center dedicated to animal welfare and strengthening the human/animal relationship. Shelter Medicine experience, or an interest in Shelter Medicine is highly desirable. 

Essential Position Functions:

The list that follows is not intended to be comprehensive; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities of the position. Incumbents may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. 

Reporting to the PetSpace Director, the Veterinarian will be responsible for the following: 

• Develop maintain and participate in a program of excellent and innovative veterinary care consistent with regulatory requirements and professional standards.  
• Develop relationships with area veterinarians and other service providers for partnerships. 
• Assure (and be directly involved in) appropriate animal behavior and husbandry practices including but not limited to appropriate prevention, diagnosis and management of disease; daily observation of animals for signs of morbidity, disease or adverse events; documentation of clinical observations pertaining to animal health; maintenance of appropriate animal medical records; prompt notification and resolution of conditions indicative of risk, pain or distress; and development and implementation of best practice adoption procedures. 
• Act as a key contact for all oversight/regulatory bodies specifically concerned with animal care and licensure. 
• Represent the center on regional, national or other meetings, advisory panels, committees, oversight bodies and professional organizations. 
• Assist in recruiting and training additional veterinary staff.  
• Ensure that staff (including interns, visiting veterinarians, veterinary services, scientific lecturers and volunteers) is trained and managed efficiently and effectively. Provide direction, set goals, establish priorities and delegate work.  Oversee and monitor progress against goals and provide performance feedback, coaching, and training.  
• With members of the Center and Foundation management, including Foundation Directors, assist in developing strategic plans for the medical center and helping to develop processes for program growth and development. 
• Support the public program department in developing a leading education program for youth programs and animal industry professionals. 
• Integral part of the on-call schedule for the veterinary team, with designated dates rotating 3-4 days a week. 
• Weekend availability required for occasional events. 
• Liaising with medical partners regarding specialty services and medical transfers.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervisory responsibility for the medical staff.   Responsibilities will include managing relationships with vets, partner organizations, regulatory agencies, etc. Will oversee and coordinate all aspects of animal care and the personnel associated with veterinary care, behavior, and adoption. 

Primary Interactions:

• Primary contact with other PetSpace veterinarian, PetSpace director, PetSpace managers, and medical staff, vendors, consultants, contractors, colleague veterinarians, and the public.

Education & Experience:

• DVM/VMD degree or equivalent in veterinary medicine, licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of California.
• 5-7 Years related clinical and management experience.
• Adoption center and/or animal behavior/training and/or shelter experience a plus.
• Local/national travel may be required.
• Eligible for DEA permit.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Practical veterinary experience with domestic animals in adoption center or related center. 
• Spay/neuter experience, some high-volume experience or desire to learn high-volume techniques preferred.
• General surgical skills. 
• Understanding of disease management in a shelter setting.
• Demonstrated experience in managing people and leading teams.
• Strong oral/written communication and presentation skills.
• Skill in using office software packages (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Critical thinking ability and sound judgment.
• Ability to work effectively and persuasively with the public.
• Ability to teach classes for the public and to participate in classes for colleagues.
• Veterinary degree from an AVMA accredited school of veterinary medicine and an active license to practice veterinary medicine in the state of California. 
• Deep understanding of shelter and behavioral medicine.

Working Conditions:

• Works primarily in the veterinary area of a center dedicated to public education and animal welfare. 

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, grasp grip, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level and lift, push or pull 50 pounds for situations of restraining or moving animals and lifting food and animal care supplies, repetitively use hands to operate computers; flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist.

Benefits:

• 100% paid medical insurance, dental and vision for employee + family.
• We also offer a 403(b) retirement plan with 10% company contribution after 1 year of employment.
• Vacation and sick days.
• Company paid holidays.
• Gym membership.
• Cellphone stipend.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Professional development allowance.
• Pet adoption discount.

Wallis Annenberg Legacy Foundation, PetSpace, is a company that respects the uniqueness of each employee and offers everyone the means to find their place and thrive. We promote initiatives aimed at supporting professional equality for everyone. We strive to go above and beyond purely symbolic measures by building a culture focused on meaningful strategies aimed at creating an inclusive workforce.

Upon notice, the company engages with applicants and employees requesting reasonable accommodations. Please notify Human Resources to explore further.