Under general supervision, reporting to the Deputy Director, maintains the health and welfare of all animals in the Baton Rouge Zoo; manages a diverse collection of exotics, domestic and native species of animals by providing professional veterinary care.Education: Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from an institution accredited or recognized by the American Veterinary Medicine Association required; with the area of study in zoo or exotic animal medicine preferred.
Certification: Veterinarian's license 
License: Ability to obtain a valid Louisiana State Veterinary License and the ability to obtain controlled substance certificate within six months of hire. Valid driver's license. Must be able to obtain a LA driver's license within six months of hire are all required.
Work Experience: Two years of relevant experience or training in zoo animal veterinary medicine required; 5 years' veterinary work experience or 5 years relevant animal work experience preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• State and Federal codes and regulations governing public Zoo facilities operations, including United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) rules and Animal Welfare Act standards.
• Theory, principles, practices, methods and techniques of Veterinary services.
• Professional protocols and practices in animal husbandry, veterinary treatment and case management.
• Veterinary medicine terminology, anatomy, physiology and concepts of zoonotic and anthroponotic diseases.
• Principles and practices of medical file and records management and patient file documentation procedures.
• Regional public health protocols, communicable disease issues and reporting standards.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation standards and practices.
• Knowledge of capture equipment and chemical immobilization.

Skill in: 

• Managing and coordinating the Baton Rouge Zoo veterinary programs and projects.
• Examining animals, evaluating health problems and developing action plans based on observations and tests.
• Providing effective Veterinarian services, assessing Zoo issues and taking effective courses of action.
• Interpreting and applying Zoo standards and procedures, applicable federal rules and regulations and BREC/Zoo policies and procedures.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software.
• Preparing and presenting management reports.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with BREC/Zoo employees, officials and representatives from other local, state and federal agencies.

 Abilities to:

• Quickly learn BREC policies and procedures
• Motivate staff and train on technical information
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Operate a BREC Vehicle to perform essential functions of the job.
• Adjust to changing work demands, procedures, technology and or priorities
• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with Department Heads, Management, coworkers, employees and general public
• Hire, fire, train, discipline and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel
• Must have a positive attitude with the willingness and desire to learn new skills

 Essential Functions and Duties:

• Plans and manages health care program of veterinary medicine in the Baton Rouge Zoo: establishes and conducts effective assessment and testing procedures for all animals to assure health of Zoo collection, prevent spread of disease and comply with government regulations.
• Performs daily rounds and evaluates the health and welfare of the animals in the Zoo.
• Meets with animal care staff to discuss animal health issues and preventive health measures.
• Examines, diagnoses and treats animals; monitors animal health issues, behavior and eating habits.
• Manages preventive health program for the Zoo animals, staff and visitors.
• Develops, coordinates and implements preventive health surveillance, analysis and nutrition programs.
• Develops innovative treatments for exotic animals.
• Manages the veterinary clinic; manages inventory of equipment and supplies.
• Exercises independent judgment within broad policy guidelines; interprets concerns, defines desired results and determines scope and priorities of veterinary programs and special projects.
• Manages Zoo health treatment and prevention programs; assures that Zoo operations meet state and federal compliance regulations, as well as USDA and AZA standards and protocols.
• Directs operations, evaluates and analyzes issues and recommends and implements solutions; develops Zoo plans, goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Manages staff; prioritizes and assigns tasks and projects; trains and evaluates staff; develops staff skills and conducts performance evaluations; meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve workload and technical issues.
• Coordinates operations with external partners and other public and private agencies.
• Monitors and reviews trends in Zoo operations and health management issues; recommends operational, procedural and policy improvements.
• Supports the relationship between BREC, the Zoo and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors and BREC staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and Zoo information; performs other duties as required or assigned.
• May be required to respond afterhours, including holidays and weekends, in the event of a departmental emergency.
• Driving is essential.
• Establishes and maintains a positive professional veterinary management program
• Promotes the benefits and activities of the Zoo in its efforts of recreation, education and conservation
• Hires, trains, supervises, schedules, develops and disciplines assigned staff
• Recommends changes to procedures when need
• Maintain a positive relationship with LSU School of Veterinary Medicine while hosting exotic/zoological medical instruction with veterinary students.
• Maintain a positive relationship with Southern University and Baton Rouge Community College in programs related to veterinary medicine and animal science.

 
 
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by his or her supervisor. Full-time position; Generally, 8 hours per day, 5 days per week; lunch break daily; compensatory time as required. Some evening and weekend work may be required for medical emergencies.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
 
You must include all relevant education and experience on your official BREC online application or it will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for this vacancy. Complete each section of this application (i.e. work experience, education, etc.) to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement. 
 
An offer of employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment criminal background check, Motor Vehicle Records check, drug screen, and physical.
 If you have any questions or concerns, please email HAdmin@brec.org or call (225) 273-6430.