Career Center

What makes Wayside special?

Stable Organization. We've been here since 1944 and continue to grow, expand, and thrive as the needs of the community have changed.

Low Employee Turnover. Many Waysiders have worked at the shelter for 5, 10, or more years! If you're looking for a place to call home, consider Wayside!

Strong Financials. Yes, Wayside is a non-profit that relies on donations to operate - but we have an incredibly loyal, generous, and large donor base.

Competitive Benefits. Benefits include paid time off, and 6.5 holidays, group health plan (100% paid after 2 years), dental plan, vision plan, group life insurance, 401(k) plan with Wayside contribution, long term disability insurance, employee assistance program, supplemental insurance options, and pet care and adoption discounts. 

Managed Animal Shelter. Wayside is not an open admission shelter. This management philosophy allows Wayside to provide a very high quality of medical and behavioral care, support high employee morale, and responsibly manage the shelter's resources to serve the needs of the community.

State-of-the-art Facilities. Whatever the shelter animals need, Wayside's Team makes it happen. Our state-of-the-art facilities provide high quality medical, behavioral, and training care for the animals. Our Canine Behavior Center is the second of its kind in the nation.

Work-Life Balance. We know working in animal welfare can take an emotional toll. It's important work, but it can be hard when you care so deeply for the animals you are serving. Wayside is committed to providing a positive work-life balance. This includes ensuring you have the resources you need to do your work and investing in your continuing education to grow your career.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Wayside is committed to being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace for staff and volunteers. We value and respect everyone, no matter their race, color, creed, sexual orientation or identity, disability, national origin, or age. All employees will be given equal consideration with respect to compensation, benefits, and opportunities for advancement (except where sex, age or physical capabilities are a bona fide occupational requirement).

Position Summary

The Shelter Veterinarian is primarily responsible for managing all aspects of healthcare and disease control for the animals under the care of Wayside Waifs.  Primary responsibilities include general examinations, alteration surgeries, soft tissue surgeries, dentistry, animal public health, student teaching, and teamwork.  The shelter veterinarian will work up and/or direct internal medicine, emergency, and surgical cases based on existing resources.  The Shelter Veterinarian at Wayside Waifs reports to the Chief Veterinarian and is expected to demonstrate leadership and teamwork in all organizational interactions.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provide veterinary medical care to all shelter animals.
  • Perform alteration surgeries and other soft tissue or dental procedures that are necessary to relieve overt pain/suffering to restore an acceptable quality of life to the animal.
  • Perform general and advanced health assessments on all animals and treat as necessary.
  • Perform emergency veterinary care as needed for animals under the care of Wayside Waifs, giving them an appropriate quality of life and pain management while treating.
  • Help maintain general and advanced tracking of animals, disease, and treatments.
  • Perform euthanasia of animals in the care of Wayside Waifs and animals owned by the public as scheduled through the Pet Memorial Services department.
  • Participate in TNR and other outreach activities as implemented.
• Support the Veterinary Student Externship program by providing mentorship and educational opportunities in the areas of surgery, medicine, and public health.
• Ensure efficient operations of all animal care by completing tasks in a timely fashion.
• Ensure disease control protocols are followed.
• Work with, provide leadership, and set a professional example for the public, staff, and volunteers. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all staff and volunteers, as well as the public not only within the vet clinic, but also in support of other departments to help achieve overall shelter efficiency. Ensure high level of care, compassion, and support to all animals.
  • Counsel and advise potential adopters and adopters with questions or concerns and provide treatment for recently adopted animals.
  • Educate the staff and volunteers to increase their knowledge of disease recognition and prevention.
• Assist with media and PR upon request of the Development & Communications departments.
• Promote a positive, collaborative relationship between the Veterinary Clinic and other departments at Wayside Waifs and the community.

• Compliance & Accreditation.
  • Must be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Missouri and have a current BNDD.
  • Ensure compliance with all regulatory, safety, security, and operational standards related to animal care and the practice of veterinary medicine.
  • Ensure all services performed at Wayside Waifs meet or exceed all regulatory and/or professional standards consistent with client expectations.
  • Current federal DEA license is preferred.
  • Attend training that is required to enhance knowledge and skills and to maintain credentials.
• Assistance with and support of all Vet Clinic Tasks.
• Comply with all of Wayside Waifs policies and best practices.
• Additional tasks as necessary.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Professional:
  • Current licensed Missouri veterinarian with current BNDD or ability to immediately acquire a provisional Missouri veterinary license.
  • Experience with companion animals.
  • Excellent written and verbal communications kills and good problem solving skills.
  • Ability to work in a team environment within the vet clinic and other departments, while being flexible in a multi-faceted and ever-evolving organization.
  • Ability to work with people in a variety of high-stress and emotional situations while maintaining a composed and professional demeanor.
  • Ability to balance routine surgeries, general medical care, and emergent medical needs.
  • Ability to troubleshoot and offer options for operational improvement in the clinic to benefit the animals and the organization.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work efficiently as a team member in a fast paced, high stress environment.
  • Show initiative in learning about and understanding current trends in animal welfare.
• Education:
  • Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) required.
  • Must be willing to lean new procedures and attend trainings as needed.
• Physical:
  • Must be able to lift 50 pounds to waist height for various tasks.
  • Repetitive bending, kneeling, stopping, and similar movements required.
  • Must be able to physically restrain animals weighing up to and including 125 pounds.
  • Able to work with exposure to wet and/or humid condition and outside weather conditions.
  • Must be able to perform a significant amount of standing during a typical day, exposure to fumes, airborne particles, and possible zoonotic diseases.
  • Noise level is moderate to high.
  • Exposure to animal waste.