Animal Shelter Veterinary Medical Director
Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) is seeking an experienced Animal Shelter Veterinary Medical Director to lead our veterinary services program and help shape the future of one of the Pacific Northwest's premier municipal animal service organizations. This is a unique opportunity to lead a collaborative veterinary team while preparing for operations in a new animal shelter in 2027. The Medical Director serves as a member of the RASKC senior leadership team, providing strategic direction for shelter medicine, mentoring veterinary professionals, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring exceptional care for thousands of animals each year.
RASKC provides animal sheltering, animal control services, pet licensing, adoptions, foster care, and community programs for 25 cities and unincorporated King County. We are committed to protecting public health and safety while promoting the humane treatment of animals.
The successful candidate is:
- A collaborative and forward-thinking leader.
- Experienced in shelter medicine and population management.
- Comfortable making timely medical and operational decisions.
- Passionate about coaching and developing employees.
- Skilled at building partnerships and communicating with diverse stakeholders.
- Data-driven and committed to continuous improvement.
- Dedicated to exceptional customer service, equity, and animal welfare.
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent.
- Unrestricted Washington veterinary license (or ability to obtain).
- DEA registration (or ability to obtain).
- Progressive supervisory or management experience in veterinary medicine.
- Experience performing high-volume, quality spay/neuter surgery and shelter medicine.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Shelter medicine leadership.
- Budget development and management.
- Grant administration.
- Public sector or nonprofit leadership.
- Experience with Chameleon software.
- Lean or continuous improvement experience.
Why Join Us:
- Lead a highly respected regional animal services program.
- Help open and shape a new animal shelter.
- Influence the future of shelter medicine in King County.
- Work alongside a collaborative leadership team committed to innovation, employee development, and exceptional service.
Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
The recruitment for this position is open to all qualified candidates. A completed King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a resume and cover letter.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Brittney Marzest, Senior Talent Advisor at bmarzest@kingcounty.gov.
King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on various protected characteristics. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions.