Vice President & Director, Zoological Health Program

WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and all oceans. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 3,500 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission. WCS's goal is to conserve the world's largest wild places in 14 priority regions, home to more than 50% of the world's biodiversity. The challenges are greater than ever, but with the focus, dedication, and passion of a committed staff—combined with a unique mixture of field, zoo, and aquarium expertise—WCS will continue to set the bar for science, conservation action, and education that has driven our success in protecting wildlife and wild places for over a century.

Job Summary

• The Vice President and Director of the Zoological Health Program (VPZH) provides leadership for the WCS Zoological Health Program (ZHP) and associated staff.
• This position reports to the Executive Vice President & General Director of Zoos & Aquarium (Z&A).
• The VPZH is an integral part of the WCS Zoos & Aquarium Division and collaborates to provide optimal care for animals in our parks.
• The ability to manage a diverse staff with multiple veterinary, pathology, and scientific disciplines; have leadership and mentoring capabilities; and have strong writing and oral communication skills are important elements critical to carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

Major Responsibilities

• This position is responsible for managing all ZHP operations, staff, facilities, and animal health care for the WCS animal collection.
• The VPZH serves as a leader in the Z&A Division and is responsible for interacting with other divisions and departments within WCS and with external associations, organizations, and partners.

Responsibilities include:

• Responsible for managing all ZHP activities including veterinary care, pathology, quarantine, administration; staff supervision and mentorship; budget development and management; development and implementation of relevant policies and procedures; and ZHP facility/equipment operations.
• Coordinate the development of the ZHP operating and capital budgets and ensure that ZHP managers work within approved budgets.
• Support animal department activities by ensuring that appropriate, timely, and high-quality veterinary care, quarantine, clinical and pathology diagnostic testing, and other services are provided as needed.
• Chair the WCS Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
• Support the Executive Vice President & General Director with Z&A Division initiatives, activities, communications, reports, operations, and priorities.
• Coordinate with Global Resources and Executive Vice President & General Director for donor recruitment, managing relationships, communications, proposals, reports, and stewardship. Provide and facilitate donor and other tours as appropriate.
• Represent the organization with the media as requested.
• Coordinate with and support the Global Conservation Program’s Health Program activities and collaborations as needed.
• Foster professional staff development.
• Support the development and implementation of veterinary protocols and procedures that meet or exceed USDA, AZA, and AAZV guidelines and standards.
• Maintain knowledge of current information and procedures in zoological and wildlife medicine, and wherever appropriate, incorporate new advances into the ZHP to enhance animal care and well-being. Ensure ZHP staff maintain and utilize current knowledge of advances in veterinary medicine.
• Support the establishment and implementation of proactive preventive health care and quarantine programs. Regularly assess current protocols, investigate and implement new preventive health and quarantine procedures to ensure a more efficient and sound program.
• Assume and maintain a leadership role in AZA and/or AAZV to ensure WCS concerns related to animal health are established and addressed.

Job Qualifications:

• Hold a terminal degree in veterinary medicine, life sciences, human medicine, or other related field from an accredited university, veterinary degree preferred.
• Have at least 10 years’ experience managing a complex organization in the sciences, veterinary, or human medicine with significant budgets and personnel development.
• Be able to work effectively within, and manage, a complex, multi-veterinarian, multi-technician health care setting.
• Experience in philanthropy and donor relations a plus, both individual and corporate.
• Proficient in reading, writing, and effectively communicating in English.
• Have excellent writing, organizational, interpersonal skills, and be adept at team building.
• Experience communicating and coordinating activities with a variety of interdisciplinary teams and departments.
• Commitment to WCS’s mission and vision.

Additional Qualifications for VPZH if a veterinarian:

• Have or be eligible to obtain, and maintain, a New York State Veterinary License, USDA accreditation, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Controlled Drug License and a valid Driver’s License.
• Understand and comply with all federal and New York State DEA regulations.
• Board certification or eligibility in relevant Veterinary College (ACZM, ECZM, ABVP, or equivalent) desirable.
• Willingness to maintain an appropriate case load to maintain competency while fulfilling other position responsibilities.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands frequently include but are not limited to use of a keyboard, mouse, and telephone use, handwriting, sitting, standing, crouching, kneeling, bending, walking, stair climbing, driving, and lifting up to 50lbs.
• If the VPZH is a veterinarian, additional physical demands may include direct work with wild animals, and risks associated with working with animals, including potential for traumatic injury and exposure to pathogens.

Workplace Conditions and Environment

• This position includes working inside a veterinary hospital setting, closely with others, and independently.
• Occasional work outside, exposure to excess noise, and professional travel.
• Must be available to work weekends, non-traditional hours, and holidays when necessary.

Equal Opportunity Disclaimer

• WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process.
• We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce.
• We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.
• The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates.
• The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.
• It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities.
• Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work.

Perks

• 27 Vacation Days, 13 Holidays, 12 Paid-Time-Off
• Medical, Dental, Vision 
• Pension Plan, 401K, · $3,200 annual tuition reimbursement 
• Access to parks, zoos, and aquarium, discounts on merchandise and food, plus much more.

Salary

• $195,000.00 to $220,000.00