Associate Veterinarian

As a member of the team of veterinarians, execute the animal health program for the Zoo, including the preventive health program, the care of sick, injured or orphaned animals, the pathology program, supporting and interfacing with other Zoo departments, assisting with the supervision of animal health staff, and participation in conservation, research and teaching aspects of the animal health program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with the development and execution of the preventive health program for the Zoo, including protocols for quarantine, pre-shipment, disease surveillance, pathology, disinfections of animal enclosures and equipment, parasite control, annual exams, and vaccination
• Respond to animal health alerts and address animal health concerns as they are posed by animal care staff throughout the Zoo
• Supervise and direct technical staff as they assist during medical procedures
• Comply with all Drug Enforcement Agency regulations regarding the ordering, inventory maintenance and use of controlled drugs

Maintain all necessary licenses in active status 

• Along with the senior veterinarian, interface with the united States Department of Agriculture and the Texas Animal Health Commission in the areas of animal care, animal shipment, animal disease surveillance and reporting, including compliance with all federal and state regulations governing the above activities
• Be familiar with and participate fully in emergency response preparedness and execution, including dangerous animal escapes, fire, weather emergencies, and employee injury including potent narcotic exposure, venomous snakebites and trauma
• Provide veterinary support to the Zoo’s ongoing research and conservation programs
• Have primary responsibility for the development and execution of the senior veterinary student preceptorship program
• Contribute to the advancement of zoological medicine through such activities as clinical research, medical publication, participation in national conferences, involvement in association or ACZM boards and committees, contribution to AZA related programs, etc.
• In the absence of the senior veterinarian, function in the capacity of department director

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates leadership of employees through ongoing training to include applicable laws, Zoo policies, business conduct and ethics and the provision of quality services to guests and employees supporting the highest level of program integrity. 

Qualifications:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Must possess working knowledge of:

• Veterinary medical and surgical practice and their application to non-domestic animals
• Principles of anatomy, physiology and behavior of a large variety of animal species    
• Principles and procedures of safe animal handling and restraint techniques
• Occupational hazards and safety practices

Must possess the ability to:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Maintain mental capacity which permits making sound decisions and using good judgment, prioritizing work activities, demonstrating intellectual capabilities
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting, walking or standing for extended periods of time, working closely with others, operating assigned equipment
• Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain zoo standards of insurability

Education and/or Experience:

• DVM, VMD or equivalent degree from an accredited college of veterinary medicine
• Successful completion of the National Board of Veterinary Medicine and the Clinical Competency Test
• Advanced training in the field of zoological medicine in the form of an ACZM recognized zoological medicine residency program, or 5 years experience in clinical zoo practice

Certificates, Licenses, and/or Registrations:

• Maintenance of a license to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Texas, which requires compliance with annual continuing education requirements as set by the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
• Maintenance of a Controlled Substances Registration with the Texas Department of Public Safety

Physical Demands: 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. 
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Team oriented zoo environment
• Exposure to a variety of animals, animal body fluids and animal odors
• Exposure to potentially dangerous animal situations
• Exposure to potentially zoonotic diseases
• Exposure to disinfecting, laboratory, and medical chemicals
• Exposure to working outdoors in all weather conditions
• Flexible work schedule that requires being on call during off hours (including weekends and holidays)
• Ability to work special events and functions as required
• This position may be safety sensitive
• This position may work around animals susceptible to specific diseases, thus may be subject to regular tuberculosis and rabies titer testing, and the routine use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, face masks

Disclaimer

• The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as a complete inventory of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.
• Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
• Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities.
• To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.

Benefits 

• This is a full-time position and offers the following benefits: 
• Medical and Prescription Drug (Employee Coverage 90% Employer Paid, Dependent Coverage 55% Employer Paid)
• Vision
• Dental
• Basic Life AD&D (100% Employer Paid)
• Short Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
• Long Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
• Supplemental Life
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401k
• Paid Time Off (Accrual Equivalent to 5 Weeks Per Year)
• PTO Rollover
• PTO Sell Back
• Free Zoo Membership
• Free Guest Passes
• Discounts on Food, Merchandise, Attractions, Admission and Programs