Associate Medical Director

Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, has been helping animals and people since 1873. Together with our community, we better the lives of animals through justice, prevention, and life-saving care. Our organization cares for thousands of animals each year—saving animals from abuse and suffering, sending homeless pets to new homes, connecting pet owners with resources to keep their pets, and sharing information on how to help animals every day.

Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester is seeking a passionate and dedicated Associate Medical Director to advance our lifesaving efforts by helping to lead our veterinary operations and guide our dynamic team. This leadership role will work closely with the Medical Director and veterinary team to provide medical oversight, ensure the delivery of high-quality veterinary care, and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and respect.

Essential Job Duties:

Medical Leadership and Staff Development:

• Collaborate with the Medical Director to maintain and advance clinic protocols and SOPs aligned with current standards of care.
• Serve as a medical resource, supervise, mentor, and support veterinary staff, including veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and assistants.
• Assist with recruitment, training, and performance evaluations of veterinary team members.
• Oversee ordering, handling, and recording of controlled substances, ensuring compliance with DEA, state regulations, and organization policies.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, professional development, and accountability.

Surgical and Clinical Duties:

• Provide timely, practical, high-quality veterinary care and surgical services in accordance with Lollypop Farm protocols, shelter medicine principles and best practices, and Fear Free standards.
• Monitor the health and welfare of the shelter population, identifying potential disease outbreaks, and implementing appropriate control measures.
• Perform spay/neuter surgeries and other soft tissue procedures at high volume and efficiency while maintaining excellent patient care.
• Oversee patient flow, medical records, and post-operative care to ensure high standards and efficiency.
• Perform regular medical rounds and participate in population management rounds to assess and guide care for shelter animals.
• Collaborate with sheltering and behavior colleagues to ensure holistic, balanced care for animals and a cohesive team culture for staff.
• Provide wellness services to community pets through the Mobile Veterinary Clinic, when needed.
• Issue health certificates for animals being transported across state lines.
• Maintain thorough, high quality veterinary records in shelter and clinic software, documenting all exam findings, test results, and treatments
• Conduct forensic necropsies and maintain accurate chain of custody and evidence disposition records. Provide expert testimony in court.
• Perform humane euthanasia as needed.
• Work with partner veterinary clinics/hospitals as needed, including referrals for advanced care.
• Stay abreast of shelter medicine practices and trends and ensure their consistent application.

Operational and Strategic Support:

• Collaborate with organization leadership to set and meet veterinary clinic goals and budgets.
• Identify opportunities for improved efficiency, impact, and animal outcomes.
• Attend and participate in leadership meetings.
• Represent the organization in community outreach, professional conferences, and partnerships as needed.
• Responsibly steward Lollypop Farm assets.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with the company’s policies and applicable state and federal laws.
• Observes all safety rules and regulations for self and others.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Education & Experience: DVM, VMD or equivalent Doctoral Veterinary degree with license to practice in New York State (or able to obtain license prior to start date).  Minimum 5 years of clinical experience, including high-volume spay/neuter surgery. Prior leadership or management experience in a veterinary or shelter setting strongly preferred. Fear Free® Veterinary certification (approximately 9 hours) within 3 months of hire. DEA license required; USDA certification within 1 year of hire. A combination of education and experience will be considered if aligned with the position.

Skills: Commitment to animal welfare and understanding of shelter medicine and population health. Skilled in performing a high volume of spay and neuter surgeries, including on pediatric patients. Ability to perform necessary surgeries and medical treatments in accordance with accepted professional standards. Ability to interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and procedure manuals. Ability to communicate routine reports and correspondence. Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) a plus but not required. Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment in a high-volume shelter.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position during shift, move throughout the building and move weight up to 50 pounds. Ability to perform physical tasks associated with veterinary work. Frequently required to communicate with others. Occasionally required to move excessive weight.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of this position.

Must Align with the Company Mission, Vision and Core Values:

Mission: Together with our community, we better the lives of animals through justice, prevention, and life-saving care.

Vision: A just and compassionate world for all animals.

Core Values: We embrace and recognize that Lollypop Farm donors are the heroes of our work – voluntarily offering time or money, no matter the amount – to support our mission.  Together, our core values unify and guide us to provide the best service to the animals, our community, our organization and ourselves.

• Compassion: We show empathy and sympathy for what people and animals are experiencing through positive and constructive actions. 
• Communication: We exchange thoughts, feelings, and ideas in pursuit of mutually-accepted goals.
• Flexibility: We are willing and comfortable adapting to new circumstances and conditions.
• Commitment: We are steadfast in our efforts to achieve our mission.
• Teamwork: We collaborate and communicate to achieve common goals, understanding that the organization thrives when unified.
• Integrity: We act with honor, fairness, and respect for animals, individuals, the organization, and our community.
• Respect: We are considerate and show professional regard for all aspects of our work.

Commitment to Diversity

At Lollypop Farm, we believe that people are our greatest strength.  We are united by our mission - Together with our community, we better the lives of animals through justice, prevention, and lifesaving care.  Our values inspire us to promote and support a diverse and equitable environment of mutual respect where all staff, volunteers, and community members feel a sense of inclusion and belonging. 

EOE/ADA