Join Our Team

Are you looking for a rewarding leadership position in a diverse, vibrant, affordable city, where creativity and a culture of continuous improvement drives organizational culture? PAWS is seeking a Medical Director to lead our delivery of veterinary services, and to play an instrumental role in achieving our ultimate goal of making Philadelphia a no-kill city. As the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable basic veterinary care for community pets, our passionate team works every day to end pet homelessness and to provide top-quality care to dogs and cats with medical and surgical needs who would otherwise not have a chance.

This is a hybrid position: our Medical Director can typically expect to have the flexibility to work from a remote office up to one day per week. While onsite, the Medical Director will work from PAWS’ Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in Philadelphia’s Grays Ferry neighborhood and make occasional visits to PAWS’ Northeast Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in Northeast Philadelphia. The Medical Director has both clinical responsibilities (approximately 60%) and administrative responsibilities (approximately 40%). Clinical responsibilities include: performing HQHVSN surgeries and additional specialty surgeries as needed, conducting routine wellness and sick visits for pets whose owners rely on PAWS for affordable care, performing examinations and determining treatment plans for our in-house and foster population of rescued animals, and consulting and collaborating with specialty veterinary partners on special cases. Administrative responsibilities include: upholding and updating PAWS’ current medical procedures and protocols in keeping with industry best practices; establishing new protocols as needed; providing insight and oversight for in-house and foster animals with complex medical or surgical needs; and, leading and mentoring a cohesive and productive medical staff in partnership with all members of leadership.

The Medical Director acts as a liaison among multiple departments within the organization to ensure optimal treatment and outcomes for animals who come into PAWS’ care. Therefore, successful candidates must have excellent interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills and be able to work well with staff with widely varying levels of medical knowledge. The ability to think practically about community-driven medical care, balancing animal welfare and “gold standard” practices with cost and reasonable outcomes, is essential.

Responsibilities:

— In collaboration with the Director of Operations, upholding, updating, and developing protocols and policies related to the treatment and care of shelter and client-owned animals

— Assisting in the development of a strong, qualified, and cohesive medical staff

— Finding and/or supporting opportunities to conserve and raise funds and in-kind donations, including working with the Veterinary Technician Manager on building partnerships with vendors and local full service and specialty veterinary practices, and keeping the communications and development teams apprised of special cases for grants and fundraising opportunities. 

— Working with the Veterinary Technician Manager and Lead Surgery Technician to ensure that all clinical and surgical equipment is maintained in safe working order and overseeing inventory and ordering of medical equipment. 

— Providing oversight regarding the care and placement of PAWS shelter animals

— Holding the DEA license for PAWS’ Grays Ferry facility and maintaining accurate and complete controlled substance records as required by law

— Providing excellent veterinary care for all animals in PAWS’ facilities, both rescued and publicly owned, and ensuring the safe, sanitary and humane treatment of animals in PAWS’ care in accordance with established professional standards and requirements, applicable laws and regulations

— Conducting routine wellness and sick visits for pets whose owners rely on PAWS for affordable care, including communicating empathetically with owners about the treatment options available. 

— Performing high-volume, high-quality sterilization surgery on publicly owned and rescued/foster animals

— Performing specialized surgeries and procedures as needed and appropriate, including: mass removals, triage dentals, enucleations, entropion repair, amputations, and other procedures to prepare rescued animals for adoption

— Consulting and collaborating with specialty veterinary partners on special cases

— Providing “on-call” services as needed for medical consultation and emergencies

Educational and Licensure Requirements:

— Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent from an accredited university. 

— Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Veterinary license with no history of complaints or disciplinary action.

— Valid DEA license, or ability to obtain one, with no history of complaints or disciplinary action.

Additional Requirements:

— A minimum of 3 years’ experience in supervisory roles with demonstrated success in leading a team.

— A minimum of 5 years’ of experience with HQHVSN surgery, as well as other soft tissue and specialty surgeries.

— A minimum of 5 years’ of clinical experience with health conditions common in shelter populations and community medicine settings.

— A self-starter who is organized, innovative, flexible, and passionate about PAWS’ goals and objectives.

— Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail.

— Outgoing, patient, empathetic, mature, and able to get along well with a culturally diverse community.

— Good judgment and strong problem-solving ability, identifying tasks that need to be accomplished and prioritizing appropriately, and working independently with minimal supervision and direction.

— Ability to manage and accommodate varied work assignments and schedules.

— Comfort and experience with Google and Microsoft applications. PAWS uses a variety of web-based software that veterinarians must be comfortable learning to use on a daily basis for managing client care.

Benefits of PAWS employment: 

— Competitive salary and retention bonus.

— Moving stipend considered for outstanding out-of-state applicants.

— Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

— 9am – 5pm schedule, with limited on-call duties. 

— Medical, dental, and prescription insurance coverage.

— 401(k) plan with employer matching.

— Nine (9) paid holidays off (the shelter is closed).

— Paid time off (PTO).

— Yearly Continuing Education allowance, and up to four paid days off to attend conferences/participate in CE.

— Veterinary Medical Malpractice Liability coverage. 

— VIN membership.

— Pennsylvania bi-annual license renewal fees.

— DEA license renewal fees.

— Free and heavily discounted clinic services, lab work and medications for your personal pets.

— Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

— Voluntary benefits (long- and short-term disability, life, and accident insurance).

Interested?
For a full job description, or more information, please email Natalie Smith, Director of Operations, at natalie@phillypaws.org.

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets and serving pet owners in need. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

PAWS, the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, is seeking a strategic, experienced, resourceful, and compassionate human resources professional dedicated to advancing PAWS’ mission to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home, and every pet owner has the support they need to keep their family whole.

General Position Summary:
By leading its HR operations and initiatives and cultivating, supporting, and strengthening our team, the Human Resources Manager (HRM) plays a vital role in maximizing the positive impact that PAWS makes in the communities we serve. The HRM is responsible for managing the full scope of PAWS’ HR functions, including recruitment, succession planning, organizational culture evaluation and improvement, employee handbook updates, and supporting managers in the performance review and employee coaching process. As a member of PAWS’ leadership team, the HRM collaborates with directors and managers across the organization to foster a positive, productive, and inclusive workplace environment, aligning talent strategies with organizational goals, and ensuring a strong organizational culture that embodies PAWS’ values and prioritizes employee and organizational well-being and growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead organizational recruiting and onboarding processes.
—Partner with managers to ensure talent acquisition aligns with organizational needs, goals, and culture.
— Develop and implement effective recruitment strategies to attract top talent across various functions.
— Utilize data-driven insights to improve recruitment processes and ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion.
— Oversee and manage the entire recruitment cycle, from identifying staffing needs to screening, vetting, and onboarding new employees.
— Develop and implement thoughtful onboarding and training processes to ensure new staff members are welcomed onto the team, knowledgeable about their role and responsibilities, and integrated into the organization as a whole.

Assist managers with employee performance reviews, counseling, coaching, and disciplinary action.
— Help establish clear performance metrics and goals for employees, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and a performance review and counseling process that is fair, transparent, and focuses on employee strengths and areas for improvement.
— Ensure effective and timely performance reviews are performed for all staff by their direct supervisors, providing guidance and support to managers in conducting reviews as needed.
— Assist managers in identifying areas for employee development and in setting up coaching or mentoring plans to foster growth, nurture talent, and develop leadership in line with the organization’s goals.
— Offer resources and strategies to managers to improve their skills in giving constructive feedback and managing performance effectively.
— Set high standards of conduct, holding staff accountable for their performance, offering praise and constructive criticism as appropriate to elicit each staff member’s best work, and taking disciplinary action as needed in accordance with PAWS’ employment policies.

Work collaboratively as part of the leadership team to foster a strong workplace culture that prioritizes employee well-being, engagement, and growth, as well as organizational health.
— Foster open communication and solicit feedback through regular surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one meetings to evaluate organizational culture, understand concerns, receive input, and share ideas.
— Utilize assessments to proactively address issues and develop actionable plans to enhance employee satisfaction and retention, and strengthen a positive, productive, and inclusive workplace with understanding across departments.
— Effectively resolve conflicts among staff members through individual and group discussion as appropriate.

Develop and manage a robust succession planning process to identify and nurture high-potential talent for future leadership roles.
— Collaborate with senior leadership to assess organizational needs and develop actionable plans for employee development and growth.

Administer and develop PAWS’ payroll, time management, and benefits programs.
— Process biweekly payroll, ensuring accuracy and addressing scheduling/compensation issues as they arise.
— Ensure staff members are aware of and utilizing available benefits available, process enrollments and updates as needed, and serve as the primary contact for questions or needed assistance.
— Assess benefit programs and plans annually (or more often if needed) to ensure they meet PAWS’ needs in terms of quality, appropriateness, and cost, and evaluate and recommend alternatives as needed.
— Identify new benefits that are desired by staff or should be considered based on industry standards or trends, collect proposals, and evaluate and recommend.

Review, maintain, and update PAWS’ employee handbook.
— In collaboration with the Executive Director and outside experts as needed, ensure PAWS’ employee handbook properly and thoroughly addresses workplace conduct, attendance and disciplinary policies, and other essential topics.
— Regularly review and update the employee handbook to ensure it remains in compliance with legal standards and best practices.
— Ensure that company policies and procedures are clear, equitable, and aligned with organizational values.
— Communicate updates to employees and provide training or resources as needed to ensure all employees understand and are adhering to new and revised policies and procedures.

Qualifications:
— Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s and/or SHRM certification preferred).
— Minimum of 5 years’ progressive HR leadership experience, with a strong background in recruitment, employee development, and organizational culture management.
— Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace
— Proven experience in leading succession planning initiatives and creating strategies for talent development.
— Exceptional interpersonal, verbal and written communication, organizational, and customer service skills.
— Deep understanding of labor laws, HR best practices, and employee relations.
— Ability to work collaboratively with senior leadership to drive organizational change and improvement.

Additional required skills and qualities:
— Commitment to PAWS’ mission to keep families together by providing excellent, accessible veterinary care to pet owners who may not be able to afford it otherwise, and to provide lifesaving opportunities to stray and surrendered animals, with the ultimate goal of a loving home for every savable pet.
— Commitment to and embodiment of PAWS’ values of urgency, volume, quality of care, approachability, leadership, and organizational health.
— Dedication to promoting a humane and caring attitude toward all animals.
— Empathy, patience, an outgoing nature, and the ability to get along well with a variety of people.
— Ability to think strategically and execute effectively, while being flexible and innovative as needs and opportunities arise.
— Strong analytical skills with experience in data-driven decision making.
— Maturity, strong sense of leadership, and ability to take initiative and problem-solve, identifying and prioritizing tasks appropriately, and working independently with minimal supervision and direction.
— Ability to maintain a calm, professional, and respectful demeanor at all times, even in stressful situations.
— Computer proficient in Microsoft Office and Google products.
— Proficient in, or willingness to become proficient in, the various shelter and clinic management systems utilized by PAWS (Clinic HQ, ShelterLuv, Airtable, and others).

Physical Requirements:
— Allergic conditions that would be aggravated when exposed to animals may be a disqualification.

Hours:
This is an exempt position. PAWS is open seven days a week. A minimum of 40 hours per week is required. Daily schedule and hours may vary according to the needs of the organization, including occasional evening or weekend hours based on staff and operational needs. This position may have the flexibility to work from a remote office of their choosing up to one day per week. While onsite, the HRM will work from PAWS’ Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in Philadelphia’s Grays Ferry neighborhood and from PAWS’ Northeast Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in Northeast Philadelphia.

Benefits:
— Medical insurance and prescription coverage through Independence Blue Cross (two medical plans to choose from); PAWS pays majority of premiums
— Dental insurance through MetLife; PAWS pays majority of premium
— 401(k) plan with employer matching, administered by TransAmerica
— Nine paid holidays per year
— Generous paid time off (PTO)
— Free and heavily discounted clinic services, lab work, prescription diets, and medications for your own pets
— Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through HealthAdvocate
— Voluntary benefits (long- and short-term disability, life, and accident insurance) through Colonial Life

Direct Supervisor:
Executive Director

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS saves and finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need. Through its two low-cost, high-volume spay/neuter and wellness clinics, PAWS serves approximately 28,000 animals each year, enabling families to keep their cherished pets and preventing shelter surrenders. PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to melissa@phillypaws.org

Are you ready to make tails wag and hearts soar? At PAWS, we’re on a mission to end pet homelessness and provide top-notch veterinary care to community pets who need it most. Every day, we save lives and help families stay together, and we want you to be part of this incredible journey!

We’re looking for a mission-driven, team-oriented, full-time veterinarian who’s ready to dive into the action at our bustling clinic and shelter. You’ll play a vital role in the historic progress we are leading in Philadelphia by performing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries, caring for rescued animals, and giving community pets access to the wellness care they deserve.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us:

— Make a Difference: Help care for over 2,400 homeless animals we rescue each year. Your work will directly impact their lives and their families.

— Team Spirit: Collaborate with a passionate crew of staff and volunteers who share your love for pets and commitment to our mission.

— Diverse Duties: Enjoy a variety of tasks! Rotate among surgery, shelter medicine, and community wellness appointments for a well-rounded experience.

— Teach & Inspire: Work alongside veterinary technicians and students, sharing your knowledge and skills in a supportive environment.

— Unique & Interesting Cases: With the animals PAWS rescues, you can truly focus on the medicine, with lots of tools and resources at your fingertips.

What You’ll Do:

— Surgical Superstar: Perform 25+ spay/neuter surgeries a day (with plenty of support and training available!). You’ll also tackle soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries for our rescued animals (or be able to learn to do them!).

— Wellness Warrior: Provide accessible, compassionate care to community pets, conducting routine wellness exams and helping appreciative owners understand affordable treatment options. We have funding available to offset costs when needed, so you can be a true advocate for underserved communities/pets, not a salesperson.

— Shelter Hero: Ensure that our shelter animals receive excellent care, supporting our robust foster program that finds homes for over 1,500 animals every year!

What We’re Looking For:

—Passion for Pets: A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and a valid PA veterinary license.

— Experience Counts: Two years of experience in general practice or a shelter setting, with a preference for high-volume spay/neuter surgery.

— Empathy & Communication: Great interpersonal skills to connect with pet owners and our diverse community.

Why PAWS?

We offer a fantastic benefits package, including:

— Competitive salary + sign-on/relocation bonus + retention bonus

— Full Time benefits available with a 4-day (32-hours) work week if preferred

— Potential for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

— Set hours (no on-call or holidays!) and generous paid time off

— 401(k) with employer match

— Medical, dental, and prescription coverage

— Yearly Continuing Education allowance + additional paid time off for conferences

— Discounted care and products for your own pets

If you’re ready to jump in and make a difference, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to Natalie Smith, Director of Operations, at natalie@phillypaws.org today!

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets and serving pet owners in need. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

At PAWS, we work every day to end pet homelessness and to provide excellent veterinary care to community pets who would not otherwise receive it. In doing so, we save lives who would not have a chance otherwise and help families stay together. We are looking for a diversely talented, team-oriented, part-time veterinarian who is ready to help propel the historic progress we are making in Philadelphia by seeing community pets in our busy wellness clinic.

Our veterinarians are ambassadors of PAWS’ mission, upholding the integrity of the organization and working collaboratively with other staff members and volunteers. Our goal is to be a trusted resource for pet owners in our community who would not otherwise be able to access or afford care, so that they can keep their cherished pets as part of their families.  This position is for PAWS’ clinic located at 1810 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19115.

We think you’ll be a great fit if you:

— Lead with accessibility and empathy in mind when working with pet owners from the community to find affordable solutions to keep their animals healthy and as part of their families. Thanks to grants and other strategic partnerships, PAWS is able to assist pet owners who experience financial barriers to getting their pet seen or medications filled.

— Are team-oriented, collaborative, and want to work with PAWS’ medical and non-medical staff to care for the pets and people we serve.

— Can work efficiently without compromising care.

— Like teaching, guiding, and working collaboratively with veterinary technicians and support staff.   

Clinic Responsibilities:

PAWS’ Clinics provide a means for pet owners and animal rescue organizations in Philadelphia to access affordable, high-quality veterinary services for their dogs and cats. Clinics are equipped with the medications and resources to handle routine outpatient cases including wellness exams, skin conditions, upper respiratory infections, gastrointestinal disease, non-emergent urinary tract conditions, minor soft-tissue injuries, and other preventative care. The ideal candidate will be able to:

— Provide excellent veterinary care for all community pets in PAWS’ care, ensuring the safe, sanitary and humane treatment of animals in accordance with established professional standards and requirements, applicable laws and regulations.

— Conduct routine wellness and sick visits for pets whose owners rely on PAWS for affordable care, including communicating empathetically with owners about the treatment options available. 

— Consult and collaborate with specialty veterinary partners on special cases.

Benefits of PAWS employment: 

— Competitive salary and retention bonus.

— Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

— 9am-5pm schedule, with no on-call duties. 

— Medical, dental, and prescription insurance coverage for FT employees.

— 401(k) plan with employer matching.

— Nine (9) paid holidays for FT employees. 

— Paid time off (PTO).

— Yearly Continuing Education allowance, and paid time off to attend conferences/participate in CE.

— Veterinary Medical Malpractice Liability coverage.

— VIN membership.

— Pennsylvania bi-annual license renewal fees.

— Free and heavily discounted clinic services, lab work, medications, and food for your personal pets.

— Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

— Voluntary benefits (short- and long-term disability, life insurance, accident insurance).

Education, License, and Experience Requirements:

— Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent from an accredited university.

— Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Veterinary license with no history of complaints or disciplinary action.

— Two + years work experience as a licensed veterinarian in general practice or clinic setting.

Additional Job Skills Required:

— A self-starter who is organized, innovative, flexible, and passionate about PAWS’ goals and objectives.

— Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail.

— Outgoing, patient, empathetic, mature, collaborative, and respectful as a member of our culturally diverse community.

— Good judgment and strong problem-solving ability, identifying tasks that need to be accomplished and prioritizing appropriately, and working independently with minimal supervision and direction.

— Ability to manage and accommodate varied work assignments and schedules.

— Comfort and experience with Google and Microsoft applications strongly preferred. PAWS uses a variety of web-based software that veterinarians must be comfortable learning to use on a daily basis for managing client care.

Interested?
Please share your resume and introduce yourself to Natalie Smith, Director of Operations, at natalie@phillypaws.org.

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets and serving pet owners in need. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.