Associate Veterinarian

About the position

The Associate Veterinarian is responsible for the medical care of the Academy's living collection, which includes fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and invertebrates. The position emphasizes preventative medicine and involves supervising a team of animal health biologists and a veterinary fellow in the absence of the Senior Veterinarian. The role requires working weekends, evenings, and holidays, and responding to emergencies as needed. The Associate Veterinarian is part of the Steinhart Aquarium Leadership Team and is expected to foster a culture of respect, trust, and accountability within the department and across the Academy.

Responsibilities

• Provides medical and surgical treatment for sick or injured animals, including administering treatments to animals.
• Effectively communicates treatment status to the Aquarium staff on a routine basis.
• Supervises the anesthesia of animals for medical or surgical treatment.
• Instructs Animal Health Biologists in the administration of medications and treatments.
• Performs or directs laboratory tests on blood, tissue, and other animal matter to determine the presence of pathogens or toxins.
• Performs necropsies to establish the causes of death and makes recommendations to Steinhart Aquarium leadership regarding the living collection.
• Examines animals prior to shipment, performs pre-shipment requests, evaluates findings, and issues health certificates.
• Maintains complete and up-to-date medical records in accordance with AZA and Steinhart Aquarium standards.
• Helps manage the Animal Health Department in the Senior Veterinarian's absence, including direct supervision of staff, residents, and veterinary fellows.
• Participates in Academy committees and workgroups, and the Steinhart Aquarium Leadership Team (SALT).
• Participates in animal health or medical research projects.
• Attends professional meetings and conferences related to collection animals, writes technical articles for publication or presentation to professional groups, and responds to queries from other veterinarians and facilities.
• Contributes with protocol and policy development and record keeping needed for AZA accreditation, USDA licensing, and other similar regulatory requirements.
• Supports the UC Davis Aquatic Animal Veterinary Fellowship by partnering with and mentoring the vet fellow during their residency.
• Conducts tours of Steinhart Aquarium and its support spaces.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• DVM, VMD, or foreign equivalents from an AVMA-accredited institution.
• California license to practice veterinary medicine or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of starting employment.
• Minimum three (3) years of professional experience in the practice of veterinary medicine including at least one (1) year involving the care of animals in a zoological, aquarium, or similar facility.

Nice-to-haves

• USDA II accreditation for the issuance of interstate health certificates or the ability to obtain accreditation.
• Has or is eligible to obtain a DEA license.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $95,000 - $105,000.
• Comprehensive benefits package based on hours worked.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.