Job Details
Director and Associate/Full Professor of Shelter Medicine
Location: Knoxville, TN, United States
Open Date: Aug 28, 2026
Description:
The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) is seeking applications from an innovative and collaborative veterinarian to lead its shelter medicine service and outreach activities. Board certification by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in Shelter Medicine Practice is preferred. If not currently certified, progress demonstrated toward specialty certification is required. The service currently consists of two clinical faculty members, two veterinary…
nurses, and one administrative staff. The team provides spay/neuter training and didactic education to DVM students, clinical services and consults to local animal shelters and rescues, outreach clinics to the community, and conducts research. The ideal candidate will have experience leading teams, strengthening existing relationships and programs, and developing new initiatives to support both DVM training and community needs. The college seeks to expand its outreach efforts in the areas of shelter medicine and access to care. Startup funds are available to support outreach program development and preliminary research projects.
The Director of Shelter Medicine will collaborate with other groups in the CVM including the Center for Veterinary Social Work, The Program for Pet Health Equity, the Office of Outreach and Global Engagement, the Office of Advancement, and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Allocation of responsibilities would be commensurate with either a tenure track or clinical track position and would include:
Administrative Service and Program Development (45%)
- Provide leadership and strategic direction for the shelter medicine program in the areas of clinical service and teaching, research, and outreach
- Lead the vision, creation, and implementation of community outreach and teaching programs
- Supervise Companion Animal Initiative of Tennessee (CAIT) program and staff
- Establish and oversee a shelter medicine residency program
- Oversee financial accounts and budget
- Lead and assist others with grant writing to solicit and maintain program donors
Clinical Service (15-35%)
- Conduct shelter consultations throughout the region and provide recommendations for improvements, outbreak management, design and implementation of SOPs and best practices
- Provide back-up for spay/neuter service as needed
- Provide clinical service for access to care clinics
Didactic teaching (5-10%)
- Teach in elective courses in the professional veterinary medicine curriculum with other Shelter Medicine faculty
- Provide lectures for the core DVM curriculum
Research (5-25%)
- Conduct collaborative research on topics associated with administrative and clinical activities or other innovative topics.
Academic service (5%)
- Serve on CVM and university committees.
- Demonstrate leadership in the discipline of shelter medicine through participation in the Assoc of Shelter Veterinarians and/or other relevant organizations.
- Design and participate in continuing education to local and regional groups
Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee flagship campus, and is a beautiful and friendly place to live. It is a short drive to the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as a number of dog-friendly state parks and recreation areas. Outdoor recreational opportunities include, but are not limited to, hiking, biking, trail running, climbing and water sports. Knoxville has a diverse and inclusive culture, a vibrant downtown with excellent shopping and restaurants; bustling farmer’s markets featuring locally grown organic produce, meats and crafts; live music of all genres, ballet, and theater; frequent art and cultural festivals; and men’s’ and women’s’ NCAA and semiprofessional sporting events.
Qualifications:
Qualifications for a successful candidate:
Required
- DVM or equivalent degree
- Board certification in Shelter Medicine Practice preferred; if not currently certified, progress demonstrated toward specialty certification required
- Minimum of 5 years of veterinary clinical experience
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work cooperatively
- Leadership and program development experience
Preferred
- A post-graduate degree in shelter medicine practice, preventive medicine, epidemiology, population medicine, public health, and/or information systems
- Didactic and/or laboratory teaching experience
Application Instructions:
Applications are accepted immediately and will be accepted until the position is filled. For further information, please contact Dr. Rajeev Nair at (865) 974-8387 or by email at vrajeev@utk.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.
Organization
Working at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Founded in 1794, the University of Tennessee is one of the nation’s oldest and most storied public universities. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee’s flagship land-grant institution includes the statewide Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute in Tullahoma. The university embodies excellence in teaching, discovery, scholarship, research, creative activity, outreach, and engagement. Known as the Volunteers, we lead with a spirit of selflessness, empathy, and courage, and strive to be champions for diversity, equity, and inclusion
UT Knoxville is a Research 1 university with 11 academic colleges and more than 900 programs of study. With an enrollment of more than 30,000 students, our academic programs are repeatedly ranked top in their class. The university co-manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the country’s most prominent national lab, driving innovation in advanced manufacturing and materials, national security, and more. We are closely connected with our communities through outreach and extension efforts across Tennessee and through partnerships with non-profits, corporations, and industries—regionally, nationally, and around the globe.
The city of Knoxville is nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The modern, thriving community is surrounded by gorgeous lakes and hundreds of miles of walking, hiking, and biking trails. Situated along the banks of the Tennessee River, our beautiful features an eclectic music scene, internationally recognized festivals, unique restaurants, and a robust offering of diverse cultural activities. Knoxville is located within a day’s drive of Atlanta, Nashville, Asheville, Charlotte, Louisville, Cincinnati, Memphis, Chicago, and Washington D.C.
Knoxville and the surrounding counties have a population of more than 850,000 people. The region houses many leading corporations and organizations, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pilot/Flying J, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and Regal Cinemas, along with HGTV, Food Network, and other networks owned by Discovery Inc.
As a member of the UT family, you will be surrounded by top-notch faculty, staff, and students from around the world. You will be part of a diverse campus community that is passionate about changing the world and cheering for the Vols on game day.
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