The Lehigh Valley Zoo is seeking a Head Veterinarian to lead the Zoo's medical care of our exhibit and ambassador collections of over 300 animals from over 100 different species. We continue to work closely with SSP and SAFE species programs and are excited to be growing our Zoo annually. Located in the heart of the 1,200 acre Trexler Nature Preserve, the Lehigh Valley Zoo offers the best of both city and country in our rural yet well connected location.
Check out Discover Lehigh Valley to learn more!
- It's All Here.
- Lehigh Valley is a dynamic and vibrant place for families, couples, and outdoor lovers to explore–offering a unique blend of natural beauty and hidden gems along with cultural richness, historic charm, iconic attractions, culinary delights, and first-tier amenities.
- A place where you can do country in the morning and city in the evening.
- It's where vibrant culture, historic charm, and world-renowned heritage go hand in hand.
- It's all here in Lehigh Valley.
Summary
- The Head Veterinarian manages the animal health program inclusive of daily medical care of all species within the zoo’s collection.
- The Head Veterinarian oversees additional veterinary staff and interns and also works closely with the Animal Care department regarding the daily care of the collection animals.
- The Head Veterinarian will perform all duties in accordance with policies and procedures while ensuring compliance with federal, state and local laws.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Clinical Duties
- Provide diagnostic, medical, and surgical care to the Lehigh Valley Zoo animal collection following all health protocols, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Implement an animal health program that includes preventative medicine, surgery, anesthesia, radiology, and pathology.
- The program must meet AZA, AAZV, AVMA and USDA standards.
- Perform in-house laboratory tests including automated and manual hematology, automated chemistry analyses, manual urinalysis, cytology, and fecal analysis.
- Fill and dispense prescription medications and maintain a current inventory of medications and supplies.
- Maintain hospital facilities and equipment.
- Work with animal care staff on behavioral training of animals for medical procedures.
- Oversee and train the veterinary staff and animal care staff, as well as veterinary students, interns, and volunteers, assigned to support the animal care clinic. Collaborate with local college and technical institute to provide job shadowing and other learning opportunities.
- Participate on animal capture teams, participate in live action drills, and participate in staff training exercises for emergency situations.
- Manage animal shipments including communication with receiving/sending institutions, pre-shipment and quarantine examinations, issuing health certificates.
- Provide agreed upon veterinary procedures for outside organizations’ exotic animal collections.
- Supervisory Responsibilities
- Supervises, directs, assigns and evaluates the daily work of assigned staff.
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the company policies and applicable laws.
- Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, planning, assigning, directing work, rewarding, disciplining, performance reviews, and addressing complaints and resolving problems of all employees within your department.
- Coordinate the services of any consulting and/or back-up veterinarians.
- Administrative Duties
- Maintain a complete and accurate medical record database.
- Serve as zoo wide support to Zoo Board of Directors, as well as educational, media and conservation programs as requested.
- Collaborate with the Facilities and Grounds department to supervise the chemical and pesticide usage in the zoo.
- Effectively communicate with staff of other institutions and regulatory agencies, including USDA, DEA and AZA.
- Manage the budget for both veterinary supplies and equipment.
- Make recommendations for future equipment purchases.
- Support the vision and mission of the organization by being involved in committees supporting work that impacts the whole Zoo, such as Safety, DEAI and/or Conservation.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Experience Required
- 5-7 years working in a Zoo and/or Aquarium, sufficient to obtain a working knowledge of all aspects of animal health care of exotic and zoo animals.
