Salary: $168,495.60 - $205,252.32 Annually
Location : San Jose
Job Type: Temporary
Job Number:
DEPART: Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services
Opening Date: 08/06/2026

The City of San José's Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live and visit. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ, PRNS's strategic plan, envisions healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity, and public life.

The Department creates and activates thriving public places, including over 40 community centers, 10 regional parks, over 200 neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, and over 65 miles of trail. We also offer diverse programming for all ages and abilities. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public's trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.

For more information, please visit

Position Duties
San Jose Animal Care Services, a division in the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services is currently seeking to one (1) Full-Time Overstrength Animal Shelter Veterinarian vacancy. This is a temporary (overstrength) position that is subject to further extension as appropriate. If this position is not extended through the budget process, the City may seek to place you in other internal job opportunities based on your previous work experience.

The Animal Shelter Veterinarian may perform all aspects of shelter medicine in a large animal shelter. Duties may include routine spay/neuter surgeries on cats, dogs, and other animals as indicated. This position provides direct care and treatment of homeless animals entering the City of San Jose's Animal Care Center.

In addition, this position is required to diagnose, treat, and/or recommend euthanasia. Registered Veterinary Technicians will be assigned to assist this position with the preparation and post-surgery processes of spay/neuter and other surgical procedures. This is a position reporting to the Medical Director of Animal Care and Services. This classification is represented by City Association of Management Personnel (CAMP).

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Directs, coordinates and performs the screening, diagnosis, and basic and emergency medical treatment of animals in the shelter.
• Performs or supervises the visual monitoring of impounded animals, including those that may be isolated or quarantined for signs of illness or unusual behavior.
• Performs surgical procedures, including spay/neuters and vaccinates animals to prevent diseases.
• Maintains accurate medical records of animals.
• Effectively communicates the condition and status of animals with staff, public and animal groups.
• Advises staff on matters within the veterinary field.
• Orders, maintains and controls the drugs used at the shelter and in the field.
• Trains appropriate staff in administering first aide and vaccinations to animals, the performance of euthanasia and other paramedical duties.
• Performs and directs staff to perform euthanasia of animals that are irremediably suffering from serious illness or severe injury, as necessary
• Ensures that shelter staff participates in a comprehensive disease prevention program for the animal shelter.
• Participates in special spay/neuter or vaccination clinics.
• Supervises staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; providing technical guidance to staff; ensuring staff are trained; and making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations.
• Ensures compliance of activities to codes and all legal regulations.

Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 100 pounds while handling animals and equipment. Employees may work outside and be exposed to inclement weather, may be exposed to blood borne pathogens while using hypodermic needles on animals, may be exposed to animal scratches and bites, and may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, fumes, odors, gases, chemicals, pollens, and other airborne irritants.

Salary range for this classification is $168,495.60 - $205,252.32 annually. This range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates' qualifications and experience.

This position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis.

Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience: A degree from an accredited college or university in Veterinary Medicine.

Required Licensing (such as driver's license, certifications, etc.):

• Valid California license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of California is required.
• Ability to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration for controlled substances.

Other Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

• Ability to examine, evaluate and treat shelter animals (primarily dogs and cats) in a professional and efficient manner
• Skill in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for medical staff
• Ability to operate assigned medical equipment
• Ability to make sound decisions, including prescribing medications and euthanasia of animals that are irremediably suffering from serious illness or severe injury
• Ability to develop and implement methods to control and prevent the spread of diseases in a shelter
• Knowledge of safety regulations and safe work practices

Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.
Collaboration - Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.Decision Making - Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.
Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.
Leadership - Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction.
Supervision- Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

Additional Competencies and/or Desirable Qualifications (Competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities that are more position specific and/or likely to contribute to more successful job performance.)

• Knowledge of California state, federal and municipal animal health laws and regulations governing the impounding, releasing and euthanasia of animals
• Experience in supervision and program management
• Experience performing spay/neuter procedures and vaccinations in a high-volume environment
• Experience handling and treating aggressive and/or feral animals
• Experience in training staff to rapidly identify animals requiring isolation or veterinary care. Experience using computers for tracking animals in the shelter
• Experience in the development of a comprehensive program of health care services for the animal shelter, establishing medical standards and procedures for the maintenance of healthy, safe and sanitary facilities.
• Experience in estimating veterinary requirements for the budget and monitoring expenditures
• Ability to negotiate and monitor contracted medical services with local animal clinics and veterinarians

SELECTION PROCESS:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Jaine Davies at [email protected].
Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.
The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's for detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City's Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an to explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.
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We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect the candidate's own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

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