Medical Lead Veterinarian

Medical Lead Veterinarian – Grow Your Experience & Leadership Career at the ARL

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is seeking a compassionate, motivated Medical Lead Veterinarian who is excited to grow both veterinary skills and as a people leader. This is a unique opportunity for a veterinarian, including a newer graduate ready to take the next step, who wants hands‑on medical experience while developing staff management and leadership skills in a mission‑driven environment.

At the ARL, you won’t just practice medicine, but you’ll help shape how it’s delivered.

With a collaborative team of experienced veterinarians and medical professionals, you’ll receive mentorship and support while gaining meaningful leadership experience. As a Medical Lead Veterinarian, you will oversee medical examinations, monitor the health of animals entering ARL’s care, and help advance preventative shelter medicine protocols that support population health and disease prevention.

You will supervise and mentor Medical Assistants, Medical Technicians, and other team members as appropriate, playing an active role in recruiting, onboarding, training, and managing performance of direct reports. This role also includes oversight of the kitten nursery to ensure appropriate staffing and volunteer support for around‑the‑clock care. You will collaborate closely with the Director of Veterinary Medical Services to strengthen medical processes, ensure humane treatment of all animals, and continuously improve medical operations across the shelter.

Our focus is mission‑driven, essential care delivered with compassion, sound medical judgment, and teamwork. While this role is primarily shelter‑focused, there are opportunities to gain additional experience in surgery or other areas of veterinary medicine based on your professional interests.

You will also enjoy competitive, market‑driven compensation and an expansive holiday and time‑off policy designed to support your well‑being and work–life balance.

We are seeking candidates who hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited program and possess, or are eligible for, a current license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Iowa. Candidates must hold or be eligible and willing to obtain a DEA license and maintain a valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record. New graduates with a strong interest in leadership development and shelter medicine are encouraged to apply.

You should bring strong communication skills, attention to detail, adaptability, and critical thinking ability, along with a desire to develop people management skills. The ideal candidate is comfortable functioning in a fast‑paced and occasionally stressful shelter environment, demonstrates professionalism and compassion in complex situations, and is committed to animal welfare and high‑quality, humane care.

If you’re ready to grow into a leadership role while making a meaningful impact on animals and the community through shelter medicine, we would love to meet you! Please either contact our Director of Human Resources at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). | 515‑461‑5082 or visit our ARL Careers site to learn more: /careers