Position Summary
This position will assist the Staff Veterinarians with the management of veterinary services for The Florida Aquarium’s (TFA) living collection, its offsite satellite exhibits, and for corals and rehabilitating sea turtles at the Center for Conservation (CFC) in Apollo Beach, FL including preventative and emergency care, diagnostic services, and pathology. The ability to work in a dynamic environment requiring flexibility, creativity and teamwork is critical.
Essential Position Functions
Assists Staff Veterinarians with implementing the long-term preventative medicine program for the animal collection including annual examinations, infectious disease screening, parasite surveillance, immunization, birth control, nutrition, and dental prophylaxis.
Works proactively to foster and maintain a positive and productive working relationship between Animal Health and Animal Care.
Works cooperatively with Animal Care and the teams at CFC to develop and maintain transparency of veterinary processes and concerns between the various disciplines relying on veterinary care. This includes, but is not limited to, presenting the findings of animal health evaluations, test results, prognostic evaluations, treatment protocols, next steps, etc. – proactively and in real time.
Responds to and manages animal emergencies.
Examines sick or injured animals and performs necessary procedures including surgery, radiography, or other required diagnostics/treatments.
Implements animal health related protocols including quarantine protocols, pre-shipment testing, preventative medical program standards.
Performs necropsies and pathological analysis on mortalities of the collection.
Communicates animal health and welfare concerns with the Senior Vice President of Animal Care & Health and Animal Care leadership.
Updates animal medical records in Tracks
Conducts rounds to review health of animal collection; communicates with animal care team as appropriate to facilitate management of animal health cases.
Shares on-call and overnight responsibilities with the Staff Veterinarians.
Assists the Staff Veterinarians on clinical research projects as needed.
Provides veterinary support for conservation and research initiatives.
Supports TFA’s Shared Purpose by participating in a Conservation Day of Action shift on an annual basis.
Other duties as assigned.
Education Requirements and Technical Skills
Doctor of Veterinary medicine degree or equivalent (D.V.M. or V.M.D.)
State of Florida Veterinary License or ability to obtain within 1 year.
Minimum of two years' experience in exotic animal medicine from a zoo, aquarium or related field, with specific knowledge of avian, ichthyological and herpetological medicine
USDA License preferred.
Working knowledge of Tracks software desirable
Knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Excel, Power Point, Access, Scheduler, Mail)
Core Competencies
Customer Service Orientation — Listening to and understanding the customer (both internal and external) and anticipating and evaluating the customer’s needs; making the customer’s satisfaction a high priority in all areas of responsibility
Teamwork — Supporting, facilitating, and participating in activities that promote team effectiveness; demonstrating sensitivity for the feelings and needs of team members and supporting team goals
Communication (oral and written) — Effectively expressing ideas verbally and non-verbally and actively listening to individuals and groups; preparing and focusing presentations to the characteristics and needs of the audience; expressing ideas clearly and concisely in written form, through memoranda, letters, reports, and other documents
Leadership (Individual) — Effective and appropriate use of interpersonal skills to motivate individuals toward the accomplishment of goals; co-creating and communicating in a clear vision through emphasis on the organization’s mission, individual and team goals, systems and rewards
Professional/Technical Knowledge and Competency — Remains current on developments in the field within and outside the organization; maintains proficiencies
Analysis — Obtaining relevant information and identifying key issues and relationships from a base of information; comparing data from different sources (both interactive and written); defining underlying problems or opportunities and recognizing trends; defining and structuring functions and teams based on key strategies and goals
Planning and organizing — Establishing a course of action with specific long-range goals for the aquarium; setting priorities among competing requirements and allocating resources in the most efficient and effective way; developing contingency plans that anticipate changes in the work environment
Typical Physical Requirements
Sitting. Standing / Walking (up to 4 hours per day)
Bending/Stooping — Occasionally
Squatting — Occasionally
Climbing stairs —Frequently
Reaching above shoulders — Occasionally
Crouching — Occasionally
Kneeling — Occasionally
Pushing/Pulling — Occasionally
Carrying (up to 25 lbs.) — Occasionally
Lifting (up to 25 lbs.) — Occasionally
Working near moving machinery — Occasionally
Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity
Exposure to dust, fumes and gases
Typing on a computer keyboard
Viewing a computer screen for extended periods
Coping with demands (stresses that are associated with the job and/or the work environment so that acceptable levels of performance and overall contribution are maintained)
Ability to travel (car) as needed — locally and/or nationally
Ability to travel (air) as needed
Ability to conduct field work in collection and research
Daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals in a central Florida climate
Flexibility in working weekends, evenings, and holidays
Available for on-call emergencies
Ability to interact and be around wild animals
Exposure to various plants and birds
Subject to bites, stings and scrapes