Description
Position: Director: Veterinary Programs
Status: Full Time/FLSA Salary Exempt
Department: Veterinary Programs
Reports to: Chief Zoological Programs and Aquarium Design Officer
POSITION OVERVIEW
Located along the Space Coast in Melbourne, Florida, the Brevard Zoo is an AZA-accredited facility with a diverse collection of over 900 animals representing nearly 200 species. It is also home to the Sea Turtle Healing Center for rehabilitation of wild marine turtles. Brevard Zoo is well-known for its strong conservation ethic and unique attractions, such as kayaking through the Africa area, giraffe feeding, and rhinoceros and various other animal encounters.
The Director of Veterinary Programs is responsible for the overall leadership and day-to-day management of the veterinary and commissary teams of the East Coast Zoological Society of Florida, Inc. dba Brevard Zoo and the future Bowen Aquarium, providing strategic vision and technical direction to the Zoo’s animal health and nutritional care program. This position is responsible for implementing and maintaining the standards of veterinary care as required by the Animal Welfare Act (APHIS-USDA) and AZA and collaborating with the broader Animal Department to reach the highest state of animal wellbeing for all animals in the collection. In addition to administrative responsibilities and supervision of veterinary and commissary team staff, the Director of Veterinary Programs is the Zoo’s most senior level, actively practicing clinical veterinarian, and will perform all related animal health tasks to ensure the well-being of the animal collection.
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
REQUIRED:
Minimum 5 years of clinical experience in a zoological setting
DVM degree from an AVMA-accredited institution
Florida veterinary license, DEA license with ultra-potent permissions, USDA accreditation category II (within 90 days of hire)
Florida driver’s license (within 90 days of hire)
A working knowledge of ZIMS computer medical records system.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel
Excellent communication, interpersonal, time management, and critical thinking skills
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends/evenings, and on-call as needed
PREFERRED/DESIRED:
ACZM board certification/eligibility
Clinical experience in wildlife rehabilitation preferred, especially sea turtles and manatees
Experience in supervision/management of veterinary support staff
Familiarity with AZA accreditation and AAZV veterinary medical program guidelines
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Provides strategic leadership and oversight for all aspects of animal health for over 200 species of animals.
Fosters and promotes operational excellence and leadership among the veterinary and commissary teams.
Selects, develops, and proactively leads a highly qualified, motivated professional staff.
Conducts annual performance reviews of staff and provides leadership and problem-solving acumen.
Defines and advances a progressive, preventative, and collaborative veterinary care program for all collection animals by employing modern zoological veterinary medicine and encouraging teamwork and partnership.
Develops and administers comprehensive preventive medicine, nutrition, and pathology programs for the animal collection.
Participates in and directs assigned staff in providing daily comprehensive medical care for the animal collection, including forming diagnoses and developing treatment programs; surgical treatment; anesthetic practices; providing on-call and emergency medical/surgical care; preparing health certificates associated with animal shipments; overseeing quarantine protocols; collaborating on hand-rearing protocols; necropsy and pathology management; and record keeping.
Participates in and directs medical care for animals that are in for rehab and or part of BZ conservation programs. Including but not limited to sea turtles, black bears, manatees, FL grasshopper sparrows and Perdido Key beach mice.
Oversees safety protocols related to animal health, often in conjunction with other Zoo partners, including zoonotic disease prevention; proper use of disinfectants; proper disposal of hospital-related hazardous waste; pest control; native animal response; SDS sheet review for items used in animal areas; toxic plant review; enrichment approval; review of water quality measures, etc.
Oversees payroll, work order, and purchase order processes for the veterinary and commissary teams.
Coordinates training for staff within and outside the Animal Department on animal health related topics, including but not limited to, zoonotic disease prevention.
Oversees the ordering and inventory of medical drugs and supplies.
Oversees the evaluation and maintenance of modern veterinary equipment and other hospital functions/features.
Prepares and maintains the annual budget for the veterinary and commissary teams and programs.
Represents veterinary programs on the Senior Staff team.
Communicates, collaborates, and coordinates with other members of the Senior Staff and Executive Officer teams
Leads and oversees staff veterinarians in medical aspects of incoming and outgoing animal transactions.
Performing diagnostic testing and medical and surgical treatment for sick or injured animals.
Leads, oversees, and performs postmortem exams and prepares sample submissions for histopathology and other testing.
Leads, oversees, and manages the planning for and modification of the nutrition program for the animal collection.
Maintains accurate and thorough medical and other records.
Coordinates with curatorial and keeper staff as required for animal health maintenance.
Providing mentorship for the Eastern Florida Zoological Internship Program.
Ensure compliance with all state, federal, and other regulations/guidelines, including Florida FWCC, USDA, AZA, DEA, AAZV, etc.
Participate in research and special projects, conferences, educational and training programs, tours, and other duties, as requested
Oversees the sea turtle rehabilitation program, including providing medical care to rehabilitating sea turtles, supervising the Sea Turtle Program Manager, understanding and adhering to all state and federal marine turtle permit requirements, and serving as the primary marine turtle permit holder, the marine turtle research permit holder, and the Qualified Individual for the Brevard Zoo
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Strong organizational, oral, and written skills.
Comfortable working in situations which require physical exertion in potentially extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions.
Ability to react calmly and objectively in emergency situations and under adverse conditions.
Ability to always maintain a professional and respectful demeanor.
Possess strong written and verbal communication skills.
Working knowledge of and technical expertise with: diseases, pathology and associated treatment for a wide variety of animal taxa; modern veterinary procedures and practices; safe management and administration of medications and narcotics; whole collection medical management in a zoological and aquarium setting; medical record keeping and the preparation of routine and specialized reports; and animal health guidelines established by AZA, AAZV, and APHIS-USDA.
Experience in administrating day-to-day operations of a veterinary hospital both effectively and efficiently.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
(M) Medium Work
Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects as needed to move objects.
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS/HAZARDS:
Indoor office environment most often with frequent movement outdoors. Exposure to extreme heat and weather conditions. Requires Sitting, Standing, Walking, Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, Finger Dexterity, Talking, Hearing, and Visual Acuity frequently.
May be exposed to sounds or noise levels which are distracting or uncomfortable. Must be willing to work around contaminants and chemicals.
WORK SCHEDULE:
May be required to work weekends, nights, and holidays as necessary.
TRAVEL:
Occasional travel in and out of Brevard County, as necessary.
The above information in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the Zoo’s policies on evaluation of personnel.
Brevard Zoo provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Brevard Zoo complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Brevard Zoo expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Brevard Zoo's employees to perform their expected job duties is not tolerated.
Brevard Zoo will not tolerate retaliation against employees who raise concerns or who file a claim of discrimination whether through external agencies or through Brevard Zoo’s internal procedures.
