Under direct supervision of the Director of Veterinary Health & Conservation Research, the Associate Veterinarian is responsible for administering the daily and preventive medicine programs for the zoo & aquarium’s animal collection. This position provides veterinary care and treatment for the Zoo & Aquarium’s collection, in accordance with the standards set forth in Guidelines for Zoo Veterinary Medical Programs and Veterinary Hospitals of the American Associate of Zoo Veterinarians, USDA/APHIS, and in support of the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium’s mission.
POSITION DUTIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Duties
- Percentage
- Supports and maintains the Zoo & Aquarium’s program of veterinary care and preventive medical programs, including:
- Supervising daily clinical evaluation and treatment of collection animals.
- Diagnosing and instituting therapeutic plans for collection animals.
- Monitoring the health and welfare of hospitalized and quarantined animals.
- Coordinating laboratory examinations and analyses.
- Collaborating with the Senior Veterinarian, Director of Animal Care, animal curators, assistant managers and Animal Care Specialists concerning animal treatment and care.
- Performing animal necropsies and coordinating the disposal of deceased specimens.
- Maintaining appropriate medical records and documents necessary for the health of animal collection.
- Supporting animal quarantine procedures.
- Assisting the Director of Veterinary Health & Conservation Research and Senior Veterinarian to prioritize, assign and coordinate projects/programs related to the veterinary health program.
- Communicating with other Zoo professionals for the purpose of enhancing animal health and preventive medicine programs.
- 70%
Oversees the overall management of direct reports, including:
- Supervising, training, coaching, and evaluating direct reports.
- Mentoring veterinary health staff.
- 20%
- Participates and assists in conservation and conservation research.
- 5%
- Assists with promoting public education relative to veterinary medicine through lectures, tours, and other forms of communication.
- 5%
- This position may at times be requested to perform other duties or special projects as assigned, which are in the best interest of the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium.
- All employees must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily and, upon request, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION & FORMAL TRAINING:
- Doctoral degree in veterinary medicine from an AVMA-accredited school of veterinary medicine required.
- ACZM board certification preferred.
- Possess/be able to obtain veterinary licensure for the state of Missouri.
- Possess valid DEA license and federal accreditation.
- Possess/be able to obtain Missouri pharmaceuticals license.
EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum of 2 years full-time or 4 years of part-time employment as an accredited and licensed veterinarian in a zoological institution with a diversified taxonomic collection.
- Knowledge and experience with aquatic animal medicine and surgery is preferred.
- Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of exotic animal medicine, including safety, restraint, dangerous drug administration, record keeping and observation skills.
- Thorough knowledge of, as well as ability to perform and use veterinary medical procedures, terminology, pharmacology, and related equipment.
- Basic knowledge of the natural history, environmental and psychological needs of exotic animals.
- Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines relating to the application of veterinary medicine in zoological parks and related programs.
- Previous supervisory experience preferred.
- Experience with publishing and/or presenting research findings.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and ZIMS required.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
OTHER MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Must have valid driver’s license.
- Must have or be able to obtain negative TB test.
- Must be able to lift 75 pounds and have sufficient mobility to ensure a safe work environment.
- Must be able to manage stress, endure potentially high risk situations when feeding, transferring, or restraining animals, and make immediate decisions concerning the safety of animals, staff or the public.
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, and evening hours, in all weather extremes.
- Must have the ability to be on-call and respond to emergency requests quickly and efficiently, as business and animal needs dictate.
- Must pass a background and drug screening.
