The Opportunity: Veterinarian

Veterinarian Position Open

Clackamas County is seeking a compassionate, skilled veterinarian to join our dedicated Dog Services team. This is your chance to make a lasting impact in animal welfare while living and working in one of the most desirable regions in the Pacific Northwest. As the Veterinarian, you’ll provide direct medical care and lead our shelter’s medical program. You’ll collaborate with a dedicated team and contribute to our mission of advancing animal welfare and community health.
 

What You’ll Do

• Provide compassionate veterinary care for sheltered dogs, including diagnosis, treatment, surgery, wellness, and humane euthanasia when necessary.
• Lead the shelter’s medical program, guiding the work of an Animal Health Technician and ensuring adherence to shelter medicine best practices.
• Collaborate across County departments on animal health issues, public safety, and emergency preparedness.
• Support community health and safety by participating in adoption readiness, stray intake, and public education efforts.
• Contribute to the overall improvement of shelter operations and animal welfare through innovation and leadership.

Why This Role Matters

This is more than a clinical job; it’s a chance to transform lives. By stepping into this role, you can:

• Make a lasting impact by joining a team that transforms the lives of animals and is committed to humane, low-stress sheltering and daily enrichment that supports each dog's physical and emotional well-being.
• Help our community’s animals by evaluating their health status, identifying diseases, assessing injuries, determining treatment, care, and surgical needs, and ensuring safe and effective handling, care, and treatment of fractious, stray, or ill animals. 
• Play a critical role in maintaining and improving the health and safety of sheltered dogs and the community.

Competitive Pay and Excellent Benefits

We value our employees and consider them our greatest asset! This position offers:

• Annual salary range: $123,021.65 - $137,377.79
  (Employees are eligible for a 3.5% merit increase after six months of satisfactory employment)
• DEA license costs: For employees in the Veterinarian classification, the cost of obtaining the DEA license (post-hire) is covered by the employer
• Generous paid time off package, including one full year of vacation frontloaded
• Flexible work schedule: We recognize the importance of work-life balance in this role and to support that, this position offers flexibility in both workdays and hours, with the opportunity to set a workweek schedule between 30 and 40 hours while still receiving full-time benefits.
• Work location: While this position is designated as on-site/in-person, there may be an opportunity for completing some work from a remote location, if mutually agreed upon with management, in accordance with the Clackamas County Teleworking Policy, and based on the Department's business needs.
• Comprehensive health benefit plans: Medical, dental, vision, prescription, chiropractic, and alternative care
• Retirement benefits: County-paid 6% PERS employee contribution, 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
• Continuing Education (CE) credit opportunities
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (for detailed information and eligibility criteria)
• Additional perks: Longevity pay, robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and more
   

Why Choose Clackamas County?

Live Where Others Vacation. Oregon Living:

• Enjoy four-season recreation with mild winters and stunning summers. Whether it’s coastal adventures, mountain hikes, or river escapes, Oregon offers it all within driving distance.
• No sales tax and a strong environmental ethic make Oregon a unique and sustainable place to live
• Known for its farm-to-table food culture, artisan coffee, and nationally recognized craft beer scene

Portland Metro Advantages

• Vibrant, inclusive communities with family-friendly neighborhoods, top-rated schools, and plentiful parks
• Home to a thriving arts, music, and cultural festival scene
• Excellent public transportation, including MAX light rail and Portland International Airport (PDX), voted one of the world's most beautiful airports
• A regional hub for innovation, creativity, and sustainability

Clackamas County Charm

• Quick access to outdoor recreation: ski Mount Hood, kayak the Clackamas, Willamette, and Tualatin Rivers, explore over 1,800 miles of hiking trails, and enjoy wine tasting in the nearby Willamette Valley
• A balance of rural charm and suburban convenience, offering affordable living with both small-town feel and big-city access
   

About Clackamas County Dog Services

We take a progressive, welfare-focused approach to sheltering. Our team provides care, safety, and a safe place to land for dogs while playing a key role in:

• Public safety and humane education
• Regional coordination for animal welfare
• Reuniting lost pets with their families with high ‘return to owner’ rates
• Providing robust adoption services and strong rescue partnerships
   

Join Us

If you're ready to make a difference by providing compassionate care and progressive sheltering, we want to hear from you.
Apply today and become a vital part of our team, our community, and our shared mission to protect and support animals in Clackamas County.