About this role

As a veterinary professional, you already understand the core responsibilities of clinical practice. What makes this Shelter Veterinarian role uniquely rewarding is the opportunity to combine your medical expertise with broad community impact. Here are the key areas where you’ll make the most difference:

• Lead High-Impact Medicine: Direct a comprehensive shelter health program, performing both high-volume spay/neuter surgeries and complex medical procedures. You’ll handle everything from preventive care to emergency surgery, making real-time decisions that save lives.
• Drive Program Innovation: Shape and implement protocols that affect thousands of animals annually. You’ll develop medical guidelines, train staff, and collaborate with local universities to advance shelter medicine practices.
• Champion Animal Welfare: Combine your veterinary expertise with forensic work in animal cruelty cases, providing expert testimony that brings justice to animal victims. Your medical assessments will directly influence animal protection in our community.
• Guide a Medical Team: Provide leadership and mentorship to veterinary technicians and shelter staff, fostering a culture of compassionate care while maintaining high medical standards.
• Build Community Solutions: Work beyond the shelter walls by participating in public health initiatives, managing community clinic programs, and developing partnerships that expand access to veterinary care across Nashville-Davidson County.

While these highlights showcase the core impact areas of the role, you’ll find a comprehensive list of responsibilities and requirements in the full position description on our application page.

About you

You’re a veterinarian who thrives in dynamic environments and finds purpose in shelter medicine. Beyond your clinical expertise, you bring a collaborative spirit and the ability to make confident decisions while valuing team input. Your strengths include clear communication, efficient workflow management, and the emotional intelligence needed to lead in a high-volume setting. Most importantly, you share our commitment to compassionate care and understand that every medical decision impacts both individual animals and our broader community goals.

Our location

Nashville, Tennessee, consistently ranks among America’s most dynamic and livable cities, offering an unbeatable combination of career opportunities and quality of life. Whether you’re already a member of our community or exploring a move to Nashville, you’ll find a growing hub for veterinary medicine in the Southeast, offering excellent opportunities for professional development and collaboration.

Beyond the professional appeal, Nashville offers an enviable lifestyle with no state income tax and affordable housing options compared to other major cities. Whether you’re drawn to our world-famous music scene, diverse culinary landscape, mild climate, or family-friendly communities, our city provides the perfect backdrop for both career advancement and personal fulfillment.

Our offer

We offer a comprehensive compensation package that reflects both the importance of this role and the value we place on exceptional veterinary talent:

• Competitive annual salary range: $106,924 – $165,732
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Secure retirement through Metro Government pension plan
• Employee Assistance Program extending to household family members
• Metro employee perks program offering discounts on:
• Travel
• Event tickets
• Retail purchases
• And more

As a Metro Public Health Department employee, you’ll enjoy the stability of public service while making a meaningful impact in our community.