Our Vision: To be a leader in animal welfare, working for a compassionate society where all animals are respected and valued.
Our Mission: To Improve the Lives of Animals.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Clinic Manager of the assigned area, with dotted line reporting to the Chief Veterinary Officer, the Lead Veterinarian is responsible for oversight of the provision of a competent, quality, and professional spectrum of veterinary care, applied in an incremental approach to animals in care of the assigned area. This role will primarily be responsible for the training, development and mentorship of Veterinarians, veterinary students, and other veterinary professional staff and students within the assigned service area (Community Medicine Surgical Service, Wellness Service, Outreach Service, etc.), at Toronto Humane Society along with regular veterinary duties which may include medical, surgical, wellness, and/or dental services.
Job Duties
- Lead and foster an environment of teamwork and cooperation within the medical care department
- Training, development and mentorship of Veterinarians, veterinary students, and other veterinary professional staff and students within the Public Veterinary Service Division of Toronto Humane Society
- Contribute to the cultivation of a culture of Fearless Feedback
- Provide quality medical, tele-medical, surgical and dental care for animals while ensuring compliance with legal requirements (e.g., Veterinarians Act, CVO guidelines)
- Make appropriate and resource-effective decisions while practising evidence-based medicine
- Handle animals properly, gently and compassionately using Fear Free practices; always conscious of their safety/comfort; genuine care displayed in handling of the animals
- Contribute to, and support the implementation of, the development of efficient and effective processes within the assigned work area
- Assist with the coordination of infectious disease reporting program of the Society
- Contribute to staff assessments for annual performance reviews
- Coordinate and participate in case management and patient care consultations
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of various Toronto Humane Society policies and procedures, including but not limited to animal care and welfare, and ensure consistency with veterinary care and nursing care protocols and procedures
- Share in the effective planning and coordination of veterinary services for the Society within the parameters of resources available.
- Enhance the Society’s public image by contributing to customer and staff satisfaction through competent, respectful and courteous delivery of services.
- Ensure all animal welfare concerns or issues are handled following all Toronto Humane Society protocols, policies and program guidelines
- Foster, promote, support and drive inclusion and influence others to promote, embrace and progress Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at THS
- Cooperate with other staff members to ensure efficiency of care and support for patients
- Participate in the organization of continuing education for Toronto Humane Society Staff
- Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, and in-service training to further personal education, skills, and training
- Be available when needed for issues or problems related to job duties and responsibilities
- Including on-call hours when needed
- Other duties as required in the day to day operation of the Society
- Work in compliance with the provisions of the Ontario Health and Safety Act and its regulations, including understanding and adhering to the requirements of the Health and Safety Manual, and any other rules and regulations established by the Toronto Humane Society
- Present a positive and professional image of the organization when interacting with employees, clients/customers, visitors, and other external stakeholders
- Maintain a professional appearance, demeanour, and attitude at all times
Job Requirements
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, or equivalent, from an accredited university
- Veterinary Licensure in good standing to practice in the province of Ontario
- 5 years of experience as a primary care clinician
- Minimum of 2 years experience in community focused veterinary care such as High-Quality, High-Volume Spay/Neuter Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essentials duties of the role.
- Post-graduate education in shelter medicine or equivalent considered an asset
- Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing
- Ability to prioritize and manage conflicting demands
- Ability to remain calm and professional in emotionally charged situations
- Ability to respond quickly in a dynamic and changing environment
- Demonstrated passion for and commitment to helping animals
- High flexibility with strong interpersonal and customer relations skills that allow one to work effectively in a diverse environment
- Meticulous records maintenance skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office programs (including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)
- Knowledge of Pet Point an asset
- Strong leadership qualities
- Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize
- Cultural humility
- Commitment to accessible veterinary care and the preservation of the human animal bond
Work Conditions
- Flexible hours including evenings, weekends, holidays and on-call
- Attendance and participation in training
- Operation of desktop computer and peripherals
- Interaction with clients, employees, management and directors
- Working in a busy office environment with frequent interruptions
- May be required to work long hours
- Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, odors, wetness, noise extremes, hazardous materials, toxic agents, animal/wildlife attacks, animal bites, disease, pathogenic substances, or rude/irate customers.
Candidate Potential
At Toronto Humane Society, we value diverse perspectives and recognize that a great candidate may not check every box. If you're passionate about animal welfare and believe you have the potential to excel in this role, we encourage you to apply, even if you may not meet every listed qualification. You just might be the right candidate for this or other roles. We are committed to providing a supportive environment for professional growth and development.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Toronto Humane Society is committed to building and sustaining a diverse and equitable workplace where people’s unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, respected, and welcome. We recognize that a diverse and empowered workforce helps us better serve our animals, clients, and community and contributes to Toronto Humane Society’s overall growth and success. Therefore, we strongly encourage qualified applications from underrepresented and equity-deserving groups within the animal welfare sector, including Indigenous, Black, racialized, immigrant, 2S/LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.
Accommodation Needs
Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the Bona-fide requirements for the open position. Applicants need to make their requirements known when contacted.
Use of AI in Recruitment
To streamline our hiring process, we utilize an applicant tracking system (ATS) to manage and organize applications. While the ATS aids in efficiency, the core evaluation of candidates is carried out by our human resources team. This approach ensures a personalized review that allows us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the applicant's unique skills and potential.
Next Steps
We thank all applicants for their interest in Toronto Humane Society, however due to the high number of applications we receive, only those selected will be contacted for an interview.
