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Job Description

• Manages programs and activities related to the health and well-being of zoo animals.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates comprehensive animal care protocols aligned with industry best practices and regulatory standards.
• Oversees all operations of the zoo’s veterinary hospital and assigned staff.
• Establishes, enforces, and maintains veterinary care polices, practices, and procedures.
• Manages animal health, including disease prevention and treatment, nutrition, reproduction, behavior, husbandry, quarantine, disease surveillance, and necropsy.
• Provides direct healthcare services to zoo animals in collaboration with zoo staff and contracted veterinary specialists.
• Performs routine and preventive medical examinations, diagnostics, and treatments.
• Conducts various procedures, including physical exams, laboratory testing, surgeries, medication administration, microchipping, emergency procedures, and necropsies.
• Prescribes and supervises the administration and proper disposal of medications, including controlled substances.
• Oversees the care of hospitalized and quarantined animals.
• Collects, processes, and ships laboratory samples.
• Assesses animal health and quality of life through collaboration with the zoo-wide animal well-being program.
• Collaborates with zoo staff to provide veterinary input on animal enrichment, training, and breeding plans.
• Procures, maintains, and monitors medical equipment, controlled substances, and other veterinary supplies; secures inventory and conducts regular inventory audits.
• Maintains the cleanliness and functionality of the zoo hospital.
• Ensures 24/7 continuity of animal healthcare and responds to animal emergencies.
• Conducts research and collaborates on emerging zoonotic diseases.
• Provides training on veterinary care, veterinary practices, zoonotic diseases, and use of remote immobilization equipment.
• Collaborates with zookeepers to ensure feeding schedules and dietary needs meet animal well-being and established care standards.
• Participates in animal capture and transportation, including the safe restraint of wild and potentially dangerous animals using specialized equipment.
• Maintains and audits comprehensive medical records, including those for reproduction, controlled substances, and husbandry.
• Prepares documentation for medical-related permits and ensures compliance with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Welfare Act (AWA), and other regulatory agencies.
• Recruits, hires, trains, directs, and evaluates assigned staff.
• Promotes safety for animals, staff, and the public; ensures proper use of personal protective equipment; and documents incidents.
• Collaborates in the monitoring and administration of the zoo’s animal health care budget.
• Coordinates the administration of veterinary services contracts, staff reports, and vendor agreements.
• Represents the zoo in animal management committees and professional forums.
• Prepares and delivers presentations to staff, the public, and outside interest groups.
• Responds to public inquiries and prepares routine correspondence.
• May oversee overall zoo operations in the supervisor’s absence.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Possession and retention of a valid driver’s license, or alternative transportation that reasonably meets operational needs.
• Possession and retention of a valid and in good standing license to practice veterinary medicine from the California Veterinary Medical Board (or reciprocal) within ninety (90) days of employment.
• Possession and retention of valid USDA accreditation, including Tuberculosis (TB) and Brucellosis testing authority, within nighty (90) days of employment.
• Possession and retention of a valid Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license for prescribing and administering controlled substances within ninety (90) days of employment.
• Active registration and good standing with the California Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) database.
• Must be willing and able to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and respond to emergencies, as needed.

• Zoo and exotic animal medicine, surgery, and husbandry.
• Veterinary standards for animal, behavior, reproduction, and sheltering.
• Pertinent codes and regulations, including AZA, USDA, AWA, and other regulatory animal care standards.
• Quarantine, vector control, and zoonotic disease management, and post-mortem procedures.
• Safe handling of exotic and potentially dangerous animals.
• Veterinary hospital operations and equipment.
• Principles of animal enrichment and behavioral programs.
• Supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Public communication, customer service, and educational program design.
• Municipal contract and budget administration.
• Medical and administrative recordkeeping systems.
• Zoo animal care trends and best practices.
• Proper English usage, grammar, and punctuation.

• The safe handling and treatment of exotic zoo animals.
• The use of veterinary and diagnostic equipment.
• The use of personal computers, and office and veterinary software, including Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Supervising and directing staff effectively.

• Manage and coordinate zoo veterinary operations.
• Apply pertinent rules and regulations governing the care and treatment of animals.
• Recommend, implement, and evaluate animal care goals, programs, projects, policies, and procedures.
• Diagnose and treat a wide variety of animal health conditions.
• Administer medicine and vaccinations accurately.
• Respond to emergencies and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Conduct research, prepare reports, and maintain regulatory documentation.
• Supervise staff and foster a collaborative work environment.
• Manage contracts, budgets, and veterinary inventory.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
• Prepare clear and concise staff reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Coordinate work duties in an effective and timely manner.
• Maintain accurate and compliant recordkeeping.
• Communicate clearly and tactfully with staff, contractors, and the public, both orally and in writing.
• Make oral presentations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, the public, contractors, special interest groups, volunteers, zoo patrons, and those contacted in the scope of work.