Description
Click the link to apply: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=308014&clientkey=0F311A9CB0E06646E60CCE5E069A1F85
The Birmingham Zoo, Alabama’s only AZA-accredited zoo, is celebrating its 70th year—and we’re looking for an enthusiastic Associate Clinical Veterinarian to help us care for the incredible animals that call our zoo home. You’ll be joining a dedicated Animal Health team that includes two veterinary technicians, a Hospital Coordinator, and the Director of Animal Health, all committed to delivering top-quality care in a supportive, collaborative environment. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a mission-driven institution while building your experience in zoological medicine.
As the Associate Clinical Veterinarian, you’ll take the lead on preventive care, contribute to case management, and work closely with our animal care teams to ensure the health and wellbeing of a diverse animal collection. You’ll also have the chance to collaborate with local veterinary specialists to bring advanced diagnostics and treatments to the animals we serve. Whether you're early in your zoo medicine journey or looking for a team that values growth and learning, we offer support for ACZM certification, including potential study time and financial assistance. The role comes with a generous benefits package and a strong focus on work-life balance.
Beyond the zoo, Birmingham is a beautiful, welcoming place to live. Tucked into the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, it’s a green, vibrant city with award-winning restaurants, a thriving arts scene, and an affordable cost of living that lets you enjoy it all. Spend your days off hiking nearby trails, exploring local breweries, or taking a quick weekend trip to the beach. With mild winters, scenic views, and a strong sense of community, Birmingham offers the perfect balance of adventure, comfort, and connection.
SUMMARY
The Associate Veterinarian provides the highest standard of animal care for the living collection and developing interdisciplinary partnerships to benefit animal welfare. As a member of the veterinary team, performs as a clinical veterinarian providing medical and surgical treatment to the animal collection as well as conducting clinical and health-related investigations. The Associate Veterinarian would also be expected to participate in education of veterinary student externs, interns and veterinary technician interns. Collectively with other zoo staff, these activities will assist in presenting to the public an environment that is educational, entertaining, and serves to further the mission of the Birmingham Zoo, Inc. (BZI).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provides comprehensive medical care from a preventative medical approach including, but not limited to: physical examinations, disease and parasite prophylaxis, treatment and quarantine procedures.
Provides treatment including but not limited to: anesthesia, prescribing and administering medications, surgery, using currently accepted veterinary standards to properly treat, cure, and/or control the affliction or injury.
Prescribes, administers, and evaluates results of diagnostic examinations, radiographs, and clinical pathology specimens including microbiology, blood samples, and fecal tests.
Recognizes various symptoms, diagnoses, and isolates causes of acute or chronic illnesses, infectious and noninfectious diseases, or injuries affecting animals in the collection.
Supports and participates in behavioral training of animals for medical procedures.
Performs gross necropsies and interprets histopathological results with any ancillary diagnostics to prevent similar deaths if possible. Educates animal staff about mortalities.
Accurately and timely documents and prepares written medical records(s) of any procedure conducted on any animal in the collection and ensures the record is incorporated into the animal’s permanent medical record.
Provides medical screening, quarantine examination, certification of health and/or crating of animals for new acquisitions and/or shipments of animals from the zoo.
Remains current on general, zoo, and wildlife veterinary knowledge as well as pertinent regulations and veterinary standards
Participates and engages in topic rounds and journal rounds.
Handles Class II narcotics and controlled substances accurately.
Responds to requests from animal care staff concerning medical care for animals in the collection.
In consultation with animal management staff, determines when animals require euthanasia due to their medical condition or quality of life and performs this procedure when appropriate.
Provides training of animal keepers and other zoo staff about zoonotic diseases and veterinary considerations of zoo keeping and animal handling.
Develops and maintains professional contacts with veterinarians of other zoos and participates in professional organizations.
With the General Curator, reviews and approves animal diets and enrichment.
Responds to AZA and VAG surveys in a timely manner.
Participates in education of veterinary student externs, interns, and veterinary technician interns.
Provides appropriate emergency response to animal escapes
Provides after hours coverage per on call procedures
Participates in Zoo committees and projects and provides support for Zoo events and programs,
Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
No direct reports; however, acts as manager in the Director of Animal Health absence.
Supervises the training of veterinary students.
SAFETY ANALYSIS
The Associate Veterinarian position is impacted by a wide variety of hazardous exposures:
A hospital environment with all hazards common to the health industry such as needles, medications, USDA drugs, X-ray equipment, etc.
The handling of Class II narcotics and controlled substances.
The Associate Veterinarian will have to deal with the unpredictability of wild animals.
The care and husbandry of animals, some of whom are dangerous.
The proper use and understanding of cleaning agents.
Specific training and procedures will be provided designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection.
The use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment is mandatory.
The Associate Veterinarian, as with any staff member of the zoo, is required to be familiar with the Zoo’s overall safety policies as outlined in the staff handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, staff should expect:
Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls.
Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch and communicate with others.
Routinely lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Exposure to wet surfaces.
Depending on assignment, wearing a face mask for long periods of time.
Exposure to the elements can be expected.
Requirements
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Education and experience
Must have a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from an institution accredited or recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Must be able to obtain a valid state veterinary license and controlled substance certificate, DEA controlled substance registration certificate, and national USDA/APHIS accreditation.
Two years relevant experience or training in zoo animal veterinary medicine preferred.
Expected to be, or will become, an AAZV and AVMA member.
American College of Zoological Medicine certification or eligibility to pursue certification is encouraged.
Skills and Knowledge
Ability to build relationships, work effectively in a team environment and contribute to a positive work environment.
Ability to think critically and demonstrated time-management skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey scientific information clearly and concisely.
Presentation and public speaking skills.
Knowledge of the Microsoft Office and animal record keeping software
Strong organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
Other Requirements:
Must have current negative TB test and rabies titer and provide documentation or be willing to have a TB test and rabies titer.
Must be First Aid/CPR certified or willing to be trained and certified.
Seasonal flu and COVID vaccination encouraged.
Must be willing to travel locally. Must have a current valid driver’s license with no serious traffic violations within the last three years.
POSITION TYPE AND HOURS OF WORK
Full time
Weekdays and weekends required with occasional evening work and holidays.
Will be in “On Call” rotation. Must be within 30 minutes of the Zoo when On Call.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Birmingham Zoo is committed to being a place where everyone feels welcome, whether as a guest, team member, or part of our broader community. Our core values— Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Stewardship, and Inclusion— shape a work environment where respect, collaboration, and learning are valued. We encourage candidates with unique perspectives and experiences to apply.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Birmingham Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Click the link to apply: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=308014&clientkey=0F311A9CB0E06646E60CCE5E069A1F85
If selected, a background check and drug test will be conducted prior to beginning employment.
Birmingham Zoo Inc. is a not-for-profit entity.
