Associate Wildlife Veterinarian

Celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2020, Lindsay Wildlife Experience connects people with wildlife to inspire responsibility and respect for the world we share. It is a unique natural history and environmental education center where live wild animals are just inches away from visitors. It serves more than 100,000 children and adults every year. Lindsay’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital is a pioneer in the field of wildlife care and America’s first wildlife rehabilitation center. The hospital treats more than 5,500 animals every year.

The Position

The Associate Wildlife Veterinarian reports to the Lead Wildlife Veterinarian and is responsible for providing and overseeing veterinary health/medical/surgical services to maximize care for rehabilitating wildlife and assist in the healthcare of animal encounters (live collection) animals. S/he/they provide training for staff and volunteers to provide appropriate care.

The priorities for this position are to 1) strengthen the wildlife rehabilitation program and Animal Encounters collection through advanced medical care, and; 2) save the lives of injured and orphaned wild animals in our care by ensuring that treatment of all wildlife in our care is executed to the highest achievable level with the assistance of staff, assistants, interns and volunteers in hospital and in homecare. The veterinarian:

  • Provides care in a fast paced setting that receives more than 5,000 patients annually in wildlife rehabilitation and healthcare of the 50 captive California wild animals that are used for educational programming in tandem with the Lead Wildlife Veterinarian and other staff.
  • Trains and oversees staff and volunteers in aspects of veterinary medicine that will enhance the care of our patients and foster professional growth, meet department goals, and further the museum’s mission of inspiring and connecting people with wildlife in order to make the world we share healthier and safer for all of us.
  • Ensures that excellent customer service—to volunteers, coworkers, the public, and the patients—is consistently administered.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Provides medical care of wildlife hospital patients and live collection animals. Perform diagnostic testing as needed. Advises staff during medical, surgical, and anesthetic procedures. Communicates medical information accurately to staff and the public as necessary and appropriate.
  • Develops medical protocols in conjunction with the Lead Wildlife Veterinarian, Lead Rehabilitation Technicians and Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager to direct rehabilitation staff and volunteers.
  • Participates in interpretive programming in the exhibit hall as appropriate (e.g. behind-the-scenes programs).
  • Provides externships to veterinarians, veterinary students and residents in the area of wildlife rehabilitation.
  • Monitors the dispensation of drugs and other prescribed treatments.
  • Represents Lindsay at fundraising and other community or private events.
  • Coordinates with volunteer veterinarians.

Qualifications

  • California Veterinary License
  • DEA license preferred
  • USDA accreditation preferred
  • 3-5 years’ experience in the practice of veterinary medicine. At least 2 years of experience with medical care of wild animals in rehabilitation or a zoological institution.
  • Professional standing and ability to represent Lindsay with governmental regulatory agencies and professional organizations across the country.
  • Flexible with the ability to adapt to a dynamic environment.
  • Even tempered, ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
  • Positive attitude.
  • Exemplary verbal and written communication skills and ability to cultivate positive and congenial relationships with staff and volunteers.
  • Teaching skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Lindsay’s wildlife hospital can be fast-paced, intense, and emotionally fraught for staff, volunteers, and the public. The successful candidate should possess the situational awareness to navigate this environment.

  • Have empathy, compassion, patience, and be able to make and execute difficult emotional decisions regarding the lives of injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife.
  • There is a frequent need to stand, stoop, twist, walk, lift animal crates and other objects (up to 40 pounds), and perform similar actions during the course of the workday.
  • Will be handling/restraining sick, injured and orphaned native wild animals; exposure to zoonosis, bites, scratches and other potential injury.
  • Pre-exposure rabies vaccinations and updated titers every 2 years.
  • Lindsay Wildlife Experience is a drug-free, smoke-free environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Medium strength demands include exerting 20-50 pounds occasionally, 10- 25 pounds frequently, or up to 10 pounds constantly. Requires handling, using vision and hearing, and talking.

  • Frequently requires standing, fine dexterity, walking, lifting, sitting, reaching, pushing/pulling, balancing, and twisting. Occasionally requires carrying, kneeling, foot controls, bending, and crouching. Rarely requires climbing.

 NON-PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Frequently requires time pressures, frequent change of tasks, irregular schedule/overtime, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, working closely with others as part of a team, tedious or exacting work, and noisy/distracting environment. Rarely requires emergency situations.

OVERALL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards.

  • Primarily a clinical animal care and treatment environment, as well as occasional administrative meetings and public exhibit hall programming, and infrequent outdoor events and/or outreach sites.

Hours, Benefits & Compensation

This is a non-exempt position. Pay rate is $34-$36/hour for up to 32 hours/week. Lindsay Wildlife offers a competitive benefits package including paid sick time, vacation, and holidays.

Apply

To apply for this position, please send together in one file your cover letter, CV, and two references to [email protected].

In the title of your email, write “Associate Wildlife Veterinarian.” PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY, AS WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS SENT TO US AUTOMATICALLY FROM INDEED.

No phone calls please.

COVID POLICY

The Lindsay Wildlife Experience requires all staff and volunteers to be fully vaccinated or to have a valid exemption request.

EEO POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of Lindsay Wildlife Experience to afford equal employment opportunities to all  qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual  orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizen status, veteran status,  gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal,  state or local law.

Position Availability

Open until filled.