Vice President of Conservation and Wildlife Health (Full-Time, Senior Veterinarian)

Are you a visionary leader dedicated to the forefront of Conservation and Wildlife Health? At ZooTampa, we are seeking a Vice President of Conservation and Wildlife Health who is passionate about advancing veterinary care, spearheading innovative conservation efforts, and enhancing educational outreach. This role offers the unique opportunity to guide a team of professionals in shaping the future of animal welfare and ecological stewardship, aligned with our commitment to excellence and global impact. If you aspire to drive meaningful change and lead initiatives that resonate with our mission, apply today and join us in setting new standards in animal care and conservation. We are eager to schedule interviews with exceptional candidates soon.

Summary:

• Oversees ZooTampa’s Veterinary Services seeing to the health and well-being of the institution’s animal collection. 
• Also responsible for guiding and empowering a team of professionals on the planning and integration of ZooTampa conservation, science, research, and education programmatic activities in alignment with our mission. 
• Ensures animal health, management and implementation is provided to the collection as required by the Animal Welfare Act (APHIS-USDA), AZA, and in accordance with ZooTampa policies and procedures. 
• Directs and supervises the Sr. Director of Animal Health and VP of Conservation and Learning. 
• Leads the processes that ensure that the objectives of the long-term preventative medical program are being met.  Is responsible for the development and management of the veterinary, conservation, and education department budgets.  Provides guidance and approval for research requests for the zoo's animals and rehabilitating manatees. 
• Provides guidance, teaching opportunities, and mentoring for the zoo and wildlife veterinary community and zoo animal care professionals as it relates to health care. 
• Supports the organizational operating standards, compliance, budgetary controls, financial sustainability and customer experience.

Who We Are:

• ZooTampa at Lowry Park is one of the most popular zoos in the southeastern U.S., with over 1.2 million visitors annually. 
• We have grown to what now encompasses 56 acres of naturalistic wildlife habitats in a lush, tropical garden setting with wide-ranging activities. 
• The Zoo, accredited by Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), offers popular educational programming, fun recreational amenities, up-close animal encounters and engaging seasonal events for which it has won awards as one of the country’s most family-friendly zoos.
• Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and care for animals; create exceptional personalized experiences that connect people with wildlife and each other in fun, immersive ways.
• Our vision is that everyone we touch is motivated to join us in taking action to protect and preserve wildlife.
• Join us and become a part of creating unforgettable natural connections!

Executive Leadership Team Member:

• Works as part of the ELT to ensure overall organizational goals are executed according to plan and achieve assigned metrics of success.  The ELT collectively serves to fulfill the following priorities:
• Brand promise throughout all guest experiences and communications.
• Consistent adherence to quality and safety standards.
• Excellent consumer value and consumer enjoyment. 
• Make certain guest experience is relevant to guest needs, perceptions and expectations.
• Plan-Do-Check-Act management philosophy through all activities.
• Financial awareness and project management that is analytically driven.
• Vibrant institutional culture.
• AZA accreditation, exceeding industry standards.
• Institutional accountability and compliance.
• Internal and external communications.

Your day to day:

• Functional Priorities
• Directs Sr. Director of Animal Health in implementation of animal health programs and procedures, including quarantine and preventive medicine.
• Guide and empower VP of Conservation and Learning in the planning, directing, and management of ZooTampa’s Conservation Plan.
• Guide and empower VP of Conservation and Learning in the management of Zoo educational programs.
• Serves as final approval for Research Committee’s approved research projects.
• Develops strategies to integrate conservation and medical sciences into educational messaging.
• Provide medical and surgical care of the collection animals.
• Provide critical care to manatees (be or become a USFWS Manatee Critical Care certified veterinarian).
• Develops learning opportunities with the animal care staff and others specific to the medical aspects of the collection either through lecture series, or focused workshops and sessions.
• Performs necropsies on animals in the collection as to cause of death, disease surveillance, and SSP/TAG requirements.
• Active member of the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) committees, including the Veterinary Committee, and acts as a leader for this organization.
• Develops and assists in the writing of grants applications for the manatee and medical programs.
• Conducts medical research relevant to the health requirements of the collection.
• Researches and publishes findings in both scientific and popular publications.
• Promotes public and staff education through lectures, community outreach, guest interactions at the zoo’s hospital and medical facilities.
• Advances ZooTampa’s conservation and research programing.
• Advises on existing and future educational programs for continued growth of the Zoo School.
• Maintain State Veterinary License, USDA Accredited Veterinarian License, Drug Enforcement Agency License, AAHA accreditation, and continuing education hours.
• Mentors all veterinary medical trainees and their associated programs.
• Liaison with FWC/USFWS and other wildlife professionals in matters related to conservation medicine and rescue and rehabilitation programs.
• Serves as institutional spokesperson on animal health/science, conservation and education programs to the advance ZooTampa’s mission and interconnect messaging with corresponding ZT Saves initiatives.
• Essential Individual Functions (including, but not limited to):
• Conducts all activities in alignment with AZA standards and guidelines, and all relevant International, Federal, State and local laws and regulations.
• Oversee animal collection conservation related communications to internal and external sources.
• Provide guidance and direction on conservation and animal welfare training programs.
• Leads Program Unit to identify and refine programmatic conservation priorities

Works closely with the Sr. Director of Animal Health to:

• Supervise the maintenance of medical records including diagnosis, prescribed treatment and medications, and other relevant data.
• Implement and monitor disease prevalence within the collection.
• Develop and monitor animal diets to ensure that nutritional requirements are being met.
• Participate in the development of animal and husbandry sanitation protocols including review of products used.
• Review vermin control programs and monitor products for toxicity potential for collection animals and wildlife.
• Oversee nuisance wildlife and feral animal programs.
• Implements humane euthanasia standards.
• Work closely with the zoo’s employee health/safety program.
• Coordinate daily activities of the hospital through communications with Animal Care leadership, and hospital staff
• Facilitate animal shipments including health certificates, acclimation, State/Federal regulations, IATA regulations, animal welfare.
• Supervises and directs the work of departmental personnel including employee selection, training, evaluation, and discipline.
• Develop and manage the hospital budget.
• Ensure 24/7 veterinary coverage for collection animals and wild manatees that may come into the David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center
• Member of the zoo’s Animal Welfare Committee and Conservation Program Unit.
• Mentors, guides, empowers, and instructs veterinarians to further develop their skills and experience.
• Work closely with the SVP of Zoologic Operations and COO to ensure Zoo Operational success.
• Work closely with the SVP of Zoological Operations to collaboratively ensure all Animal Departments function together as a unified team.
• Member of the Communication Team that collaborates to unify all zoo educational communication.
• Serves as ELT liaison to guide the zoo’s Green Team in sustainability efforts.
• Direct Reports:
• VP of Conservation and Learning, Sr. Director of Animal Health
• What do you need?

Qualifications:

• Graduate of AVMA accredited college or school of veterinary medicine.
• Completed NAVLE if graduated from university not accredited by AVMA.
• Veterinary medical license in the state of Florida.
• Registered with DEA for Class II narcotics.
• Federal veterinary accreditation.
• Completion of post-doctoral training in Zoological and Wildlife Medicine or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of ten years’ experience supervising medical staff in a zoological setting.

Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrated experience and proficient knowledge of veterinary procedures, practices and implementation in zoo, exotic and wild animal medicine.
• Broad experience and expertise in the biology, unique anatomy, special physiology, social structure and reproduction of a wide variety of wild animals.
• Extensive knowledge in housing requirements, nutrition, restraint/handling, anesthesia and surgery, infectious and noninfectious disease, and preventative medicine protocols of a wide variety of wild animals.
• Comprehensive experience and expertise in drugs used in wild animals, their use and safe handling including the very dangerous ultra- potent narcotics.
• Demonstrated experience the use of various dart systems used to administer the drugs.
• Proven knowledge of disease pathology in a wide variety of wild animals.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of communication and collaboration skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in an effective manner; and to establish and maintain good working relationships with Zoo employees and the public.
• Ability to write effective animal health and husbandry protocols and carry on an integrated program of animal health activity.
• Prepare records and reports of a routine and specialized nature on all treatments and research.
• Ability to supervise and direct the work of others.
• Conducts meetings and presents materials in a public setting, including media interviews, video format etc.

Computer Proficiency:

• Must be proficient with Word, Excel, Power Point and Access, and be able to adapt well to various other computer programs.
• ZIMs and other veterinary record keeping software packages.
• Our Perks at ZooTampa
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Options
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Competitive PTO plan (Vacation and Wellness time)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free gym membership
• Free admission to the Zoo, MOSI, and the Florida Aquarium
• Free or discounted admission to many attractions in Florida
• And so much more!
• Equal Opportunity Employer & Drug-Free Workplace

Experience Required

Qualifications:

• Graduate of AVMA accredited college or school of veterinary medicine.
• Completed NAVLE if graduated from university not accredited by AVMA.
• Veterinary medical license in the state of Florida.
• Registered with DEA for Class II narcotics.
• Federal veterinary accreditation. Completion of post-doctoral training in Zoological and Wildlife Medicine or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of ten years’ experience supervising medical staff in a zoological setting.

Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrated experience and proficient knowledge of veterinary procedures, practices and implementation in zoo, exotic and wild animal medicine.
• Broad experience and expertise in the biology, unique anatomy, special physiology, social structure and reproduction of a wide variety of wild animals.
• Extensive knowledge in housing requirements, nutrition, restraint/handling, anesthesia and surgery, infectious and noninfectious disease, and preventative medicine protocols of a wide variety of wild animals. Comprehensive experience and expertise in drugs used in wild animals, their use and safe handling including the very dangerous ultra- potent narcotics.
• Demonstrated experience the use of various dart systems used to administer the drugs.
• Proven knowledge of disease pathology in a wide variety of wild animals.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of communication and collaboration skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in an effective manner; and to establish and maintain good working relationships with Zoo employees and the public.
• Ability to write effective animal health and husbandry protocols and carry on an integrated program of animal health activity. Prepare records and reports of a routine and specialized nature on all treatments and research.
• Ability to supervise and direct the work of others.
• Conducts meetings and presents materials in a public setting, including media interviews, video format etc.

Perks

• Our Perks at ZooTampa Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Options 403(b) Retirement Plan Competitive PTO plan (Vacation and Wellness time) Employee Assistance Program Free gym membership Free admission to the Zoo, MOSI, and the Florida Aquarium Free or discounted admission to many attractions in Florida And so much more!ation-and-wildlife-health-full-time-senior-veterinarian-florida