General Purpose

The Senior Director of Veterinary Services directs and oversees all aspects of medical care for the Zoo’s animal collections, and ensures the Hospital team is effectively trained and equipped to meet animals’ needs. The SDVS also provides veterinary care, and medical and surgical treatment for a wide variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians.

Our comprehensive compensation package includes 100% employer paid Medical/Dental/Vision, Employee Assistance Program, 401k, 10 Paid Holidays, Paid Sick and Paid Vacation time on an accrued basis. The pay range for this position is $115,000 - $140,000 annually. Offers will be based on the successful candidate's experience.

Essential Functions

Daily Medical Care

• Provides medical and surgical treatment to the zoo animal collection to the highest industry standards as needed including procedures involving: immobilization/anesthesia, physical restraint, physical examination, surgery, radiology, ultrasonography, endoscopy, phlebotomy, cystocentesis, fluid administration, intubation, anesthetic monitoring, bandaging, wound care, dentistry, medication administration and treatment of the zoo’s animal collection.

• Develop, annually update, and implement preventative health care programs including routine examinations, quarantine, parasite control, vaccination programs, tuberculin testing, and infectious disease screening.

• Directs zoo personnel in the proper care of sick and injured animals.

• Provides daily communication with keeper staff on active medical cases, and visualizes patient progress routinely.

• Effectively prepares and maintains medical records including all animals treated or examined. Inputs medical records, testing results, and necropsy/histology reports into ZIMs record-keeping program. Ensure that medical records are updated and maintained at a high level of accuracy and professionalism.

Excellent Animal Care

• Assists with the movement of animals by providing necessary exams, diagnostics, health certificates, and any other regulatory requirements.

• Conducts or arranges necropsy examinations on all deceased animals and provides the interpretation of findings to animal care staff.

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to animal care and treatment.

• Researches current literature on health concerns identified in animal collections.

• Provides on-call coverage for animal care and ensures routine and emergency care is provided as needed.

• Monitors and analyzes current husbandry practices as they relate to disease prevention.

• Researches environmental and nutritional needs of the animal collection.

• Provides expert guidance to Zoo personnel in animal hygiene, nutrition, zoonosis, and animal management.

• Participates in the review of research requests submitted to Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

• Actively completes requests for approved research programs as indicated.

• Performs clinical research and presents findings through publications and/or conferences.

• Compound, calculate and dispense medications and treatment forms.

• Effectively performs laboratory work including disease surveillance with blood, urine, tissues, and fecal testing.

• Undertake or assist in the disposition of nuisance wildlife potentially injurious to the zoo collection, including euthanasia.

• Establishes animal diets and proper feeding routines in consultation with the CVO, Curators, veterinary nutritionist, and other appropriate personnel.

• Maintains necessary supplies and equipment for the zoo’s veterinary facilities.

• Assist in developing designs for exhibits and exhibit development.

Planning and Personnel Management

• Develops and oversees the implementation of all veterinary procedures.

• Oversees the implementation of veterinary care budgets.

• Assists in the selection, orientation, and training of new Veterinary staff.

• Oversees staff performance, providing general feedback and correction when appropriate, and communicating serious or ongoing issues.

• Effectively communicates with animal husbandry staff on a daily basis, ensuring communication flows effectively from the hospital to animal staff.

• Ensures animal, employee, and other issues in the hospital are appropriately investigated and addressed immediately and that a status/progress report is given to the leadership.

• Ensures efficient and effective workflow, making appropriate logistical decisions and planning for current and future workflow needs, including interdepartmental scheduling.

• Actively trains and mentors zoo hospital and animal department staff, ensuring the training is consistent with current position needs and cross-functional opportunities. Establish performance expectations and provides feedback.

• Supervises and directs animal care and veterinary technician staff during veterinary procedures.

• Interfaces with zoo guests in such a way that guests feel that zoo staff is approachable, knowledgeable and eager to assist with questions or concerns.

• Effectively interacts with zoo staff in a professional manner, maintaining appropriate workplace relationships. Actively assists other staff as needed.

• Supervise veterinary students, veterinary technician students, and volunteers.

• Manages payroll for direct reports and oversees the implementation of wage and hour regulations.

• Manages the schedules for all direct reports and oversees the implementation of appropriate regulations.

• Assumes other responsibilities as necessary to assure the achievement of established objectives.

• Actively participates in the zoo’s emergency response team.

• Performs Incident Commander duties as scheduled.

Management Accountabilities

• Customarily and regularly exercises discretion and independent judgement during the course of the work day. Actively demonstrates leadership through actions, reactions, decisions, and professional demeanor. Practices solution based problem solving and learns from mistakes. Works with the team to find solutions and asks for help when you need it.

• Reports to meetings/activities fully present, prepared and punctual. Thoughtfully prioritizes needs in order to be respectful of each other’s time. Respond to emails and other communications in a timely manner. All written communication contains professional and proper language. Demonstrates follow through and is accountable for the management of the team.

• Willingly engages the team/ Zoo staff and proves to be an inspirational leader. Actively create connections that encourage open and honest communication with all.

• Remains accessible to the Zoo staff by cell phone. Uses professional courtesy and only call/texts on day off in the event of an emergency.

• Provides regular performance feedback to reporting staff. Completes timely and appropriate written evaluations that highlight strengths and areas for improvement.

Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements

• Veterinary Degree (DVM, VMD, or overseas equivalent) from an accredited university required.

• Minimum five years’ applicable experience in an AZA facility required.

• Completion of an internship or residency in zoo animal medicine or equivalent experience required.

• Minimum two years’ supervisory experience preferred.

• Strong planning, analytical and decision making skills are required, with the ability to work in a dynamic, evolving organization.

• Ability to quickly make appropriate decisions and demonstrate leadership in emergency situations.

• Demonstrates motivational and problem solving acumen with a high degree of integrity and ethics.

• Excellent written and verbal English communications skills required, including the ability to present information to small and large groups. Bilingual communication skills a plus.

• Ability to work evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

• Ability to obtain a valid California driver’s license within 30 days of employment and a clean driving record.

Physical Requirements

These are physical and mental requirements of the position as it is typically performed. Inability to meet one or more of these physical or mental requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for a reasonable accommodation, the Zoo may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation.

• This position involves sitting, standing and walking. The employee may be required to bend, stoop, or kneel to examine and treat animals.

• The employee is regularly required to lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds.

• Hand/finger dexterity to properly handle medical tools and equipment.

• Close visual acuity for medical/surgical procedures and to view a computer monitor and read printed materials; distance vision sufficient to monitor animal activities and general surroundings.

• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication (in person and via telephone), at normal speaking levels with or without correction.

• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken information to others in small and large group settings.

Work Environment

• The position functions primarily indoors with regular exposure to outdoor Zoo environments.

• The employee is regularly exposed to a variety of animals with risk of animal bites (including venomous), zoonotic disease, and other animal-related injury.

• Occasional local travel including animal transport is required.