Veterinarian

About the role

The Veterinarian plays a pivotal role in providing quality medical and surgical care to the New York Aquarium animal collection and serves as a leader within the Aquatic Health Department, a complex multi-veterinarian, multi-technician health care setting.

Principal Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary clinical veterinarian for the New York Aquarium (NYA) animal collection, collaborating with other personnel in the Aquatic Health Department (AHD), Animal management staff, Life Support staff, and the Bronx Zoo Zoological Health Program (ZHP) to provide excellent medical, surgical, and preventative medical care.
• Infrequently, when assigned, provide medical care for the animals in the Wildlife Conservation Society zoos.
• Supervise and mentor WCS veterinary clinical residents on rotation at NYA, including providing input for annual reviews.
• Coordinate veterinary externship program and supervise veterinary student externs, including completing final reviews.
• Contribute to leadership and mentoring of other AHD personnel, including veterinary technicians, water quality lab personnel, hospital manager, program assistant, volunteers, and interns.
• Provide assistance with administrative functions of the AHD, including purchasing, budget, inventory management, and developing and maintaining standard operating procedures when requested.
• In partnership with the Director of Aquatic Health, implement and maintain a preventative health program consistent with current best practices in aquatic veterinary medicine.
• Coordinate communication, scheduling, and veterinary procedures associated with animal shipments, acquisitions, dispositions, and the quarantine process.
• As time and other responsibilities permit, represent WCS via participation in conferences, workshops, professional organizations, local and/or international projects and activities, research, and publications/presentations.
• Career Development: Participate in professional development activities and attend conferences to stay updated on the latest in aquatic veterinary medicine.
• Coordinate participation of AHD personnel in the New York Bight Program, and, when applicable, other WCS field programs, including in-field involvement, lab sample processing, research, presentations and/or publications of data, and communication of key information to NYA and WCS leadership.
• Perform gross post-mortem examinations on deceased collection fish and invertebrates and coordinate with Zoological Health Program (ZHP) pathologists and outside histopathology laboratory.
• Perform related tasks and duties as required.

Qualification Requirements

• Must hold a veterinary degree (DVM, VMD, DMV or equivalent); have, or be eligible for, a New York State Veterinary License, USDA accreditation, and a Driver’s License valid in NY
• Must understand and comply with federal and NYS DEA regulations and be eligible to hold a DEA registration
• Board certification or eligibility in the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) or other relevant Veterinary College (ECZM, ABVP, etc.) is strongly desired
• Minimum 5 years full-time zoo and/or aquatic veterinary experience
• Completion of a zoological medicine and surgery, aquatic, avian, or wildlife residency preferred
• Must be able to work effectively in a complex, multi-veterinarian, multi-technician health care setting
• Must be able to work effectively as part of a collaborative team that interacts closely with other departments, including Animal, Life-Support, and Facilities teams
• Must be able to represent WCS in a professional manner in all activities and to provide a positive example to all staff
• Must assure safety of self, staff, animals, and guests through regular participation in safety training and activities; compliance with standard operating procedures; and proper operation and maintenance of equipment
• Must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English

Physical Requirements

• Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone, and repetitive hand and wrist movements
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, and lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds
• Occasional exposure to inclement weather, noise, travel, driving, and independent work
• Constant collaboration and close interaction with others

Workplace Conditions and Environment

• This position works with wild animals on a routine basis, and incurs risks associated with working with animals, including potential for traumatic injury and exposure to pathogens
• This position must be available to be on-call and respond to emergency needs on a rotating regular schedule
• This position must be available to work weekends, non-traditional hours, and holidays as assigned
• This position must be able to work a flexible schedule

Equal Employment Opportunity Disclaimer

The Wildlife Conservation Society is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person's membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities.