Director of Animal Health

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (OHDZA) is a leader in animal care and its mission is to inspire, educate and engage people to serve as lifelong stewards for animals and their habitats. The Director of Animal Health is a key position within our team by overseeing all aspects of the veterinary program at both Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the Lee G Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. The position reports directly to the Vice President of Sciences and Animal Health and is part of the Zoo’s leadership team.

• By fall of 2025, this position will be based in our brand-new, state-of-the-art 32,000 square foot Bill and Bernice Grewcock Animal Hospital, set for completion in late 2025.
• The role also oversees veterinary operations in a newly renovated hospital within the Lee G Simmons Wildlife Safari Park.
• The zoo’s new hospital will feature an updated imaging suite, including a CT scanner, and expanded onsite clinical laboratory capabilities.
• The facility will include a large viewing room for our surgical suite, 2 treatment rooms, and an advanced imaging area that will be utilized for programming for our onsite education programs, including post-graduate training.
• The Director of Animal Health is a dual expert in animal health sciences and leadership, blending technical acumen with dynamic, empathetic people management to foster collaboration and innovation across diverse teams.
• This role requires the ability to develop and articulate a clear vision for departmental initiatives, set measurable goals, and align them with broader organizational objectives to achieve impactful outcomes.
• Key leadership competencies include building a culture of trust, inclusivity, and open communication, encouraging team members to share ideas and concerns.
• The Director demonstrates self-awareness, empathy, and adaptability in managing relationships and resolving conflicts while providing mentorship and fostering professional growth to ensure team engagement and development.
• Collaborative by nature, the Director works effectively across departments to ensure animal health initiatives are fully supported and integrated organization wide.
• They cultivate strong relationships with external stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, industry partners, and the community, while representing the organization in professional forums to advocate for advancements in animal health and welfare.
• The Director employs data-driven approaches to analyze challenges, develop innovative solutions, and balance technical expertise with practical considerations for ethical and effective decision-making.
• By proactively identifying and addressing potential issues, they uphold and enhance the organization’s reputation for excellence in animal health and welfare.
• This position currently oversees a team of 5 veterinarians and a hospital supervisor, who manages a staff comprising Veterinary Technicians, a hospital keeper, and a hospital coordinator.
• The program was recently approved by the American College of Zoological Medicine as a resident training site with plans for our first resident to start in 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Manages a team of veterinarians and animal health professionals to deliver exceptional preventative, routine, and emergency care for all animals across the Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park.
• Serves on the Zoo’s leadership team to provide input on all aspects of Zoo operations and provides information and strategic insights to the Vice president of Science and Animal Health.
• Designs, implements, and evaluates comprehensive programs for preventive medicine, diagnostics, therapeutic treatments, and post-procedural care.
• Work directly with animal care departments and veterinary team to provide preventative, routine, and emergency medical care to all Zoo, Aquarium, and Safari Park animals.
• This will include some primary case and necropsy responsibilities depending on veterinarian coverage levels.
• Develops and oversees pathology program, including coordination of contract pathologists and external diagnostic services.
• Provides leadership and guidance to support staff engagement initiatives and fosters a positive workplace culture.
• Collaborates with the Education department to ensure pre- and post-graduate student programs align with the Zoo’s mission.
• Directly supervises, evaluates, and mentors all animal health staff, including oversight of licensing and continuing education requirements.
• Ensures veterinary compliance with regulatory, licensing, and accreditation standards, including but not limited to USDA-APHIS, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), NE Department of Health and Human Services (radiation safety, infectious disease concerns), NE Department of Agriculture and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
• Provides individual and team development opportunities through individual development plans and team goal setting with regular accountability check-ins.
• Oversees hospital budgets, including approval of expenditures, ongoing budget tracking, and annual budget preparation.
• Collaborates with Animal Care professionals to ensure excellence in all aspects of animal management.
• Partners with animal curators, supervisors, and keepers to proactively integrate animal health policies and practices into daily husbandry practices.
• Proactively advises the organization’s Leadership Team on necessary operational changes in response to emerging health risks for humans (e.g., COVID-19) and animals (e.g., Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza).
• Participates in meetings with Center for Conservation and Research Staff (including Nutrition, Behavioral Husbandry and Welfare, Reproductive Sciences, and Conservation Genetics departments; monthly), Animal Management Teams (weekly), Senior Staff (weekly).
• Initiates and develops relationships with internal and external stakeholders to better serve team members and to meet Zoo initiatives and goals.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of Zoo-wide plans and departmental strategic plans aligned with the Zoo’s mission and goals.
• Serves as a primary source of information for media and communication inquiries, including participating in media appearances.
• Actively participates in the planning and implementation of safety protocols for animal-related emergencies involving staff or guests.
• Prioritizes, assigns, and coordinates all department-related programs and projects.
• Serves on internal Conservation and Research Committees.
• Collaborates with internal and external partners on research and conservation activities that support sustainable animal populations, in alignment with the organization’s research, conservation, and TAG/SSP priorities.
• Engages and collaborates with other zoo professionals to enhance animal health and preventative medicine programs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• A Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from an AVMA-accredited school of veterinary medicine (or equivalent) is required.
• Board certification as a specialist in an approved American Veterinary Medical Association specialty is desired.
• Must possess or be able to obtain veterinary licensure in the state of Nebraska by the start of employment.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid DEA license by the start of employment.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a Nebraska pharmaceuticals license by the start of employment.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a veterinarian in an AZA accredited facility is desired.
• At least two years of demonstrable leadership, supervisory and management experience overseeing a complex veterinary care team is desired.
• Must show experience managing a budget to support complex veterinary operations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of established principles and best practices in zoo and aquarium animal medicine, including safety, animal restraint, dangerous drug administration, record keeping, and observation skills.
• Able to work collaboratively in a team environment with animal care staff and other departments, fostering trust-based relationships.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines related to the practice of veterinary medicine in zoological parks and related programs.
• Must possess high emotional intelligence and situational awareness.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, preferred.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid state driver’s license.
• Proof of negative TB screening and up-to-date Rabies vaccination required.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

• Will lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 75 pounds using safe and proper lifting methods.
• Ability to frequently bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, reach upward, twist, and have good lateral movement.
• Ability to perform large amount of walking and walk up and down stairs.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring heavy use of arms, wrists, and exertion of upper body, arms, and hands to perform duties.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions year round sometimes on uneven terrain.
• Ability to work with animals with potential zoonotic disease.
• Able to work with narcotics for use in animal immobilizations as well as pain control which can be life-threatening to humans.
• Willing to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, holidays and evening hours in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to be on call as necessary.
• Candidates might be (depending on position) required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative skin tuberculosis test, and possess a valid driver’s license with a good history.

DISCLAIMER

• The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification.
• It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.
• Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.