Associate Veterinarian

Smart Justice California; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 96,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization seeks an Associate Veterinarian to join its animal health team at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. This unique position blends veterinary medical care with wildlife conservation efforts, providing an opportunity to work with diverse species while contributing to educational programs and maintaining industry standards of animal health.

Qualifications

• Must possess or be able to obtain veterinary licensure in Nebraska.
• 3 years of experience as a veterinarian in zoological institution is desired.
• Comprehensive knowledge of zoo animal medicine and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide preventive, routine, and emergency medical care to all animals.
• Implement animal health policies and follow industry best practices.
• Prepare reports and maintain accurate medical records.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Animal Care

Veterinary Medicine

Record Keeping

Education

Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine

Board certification in Zoological Medicine (desired)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title: Associate Veterinarian

FLSA Status: Exempt

Hours: Full-time

Pay Rate: Starts at $96,279/year

Summary:

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is a leader in animal care and its mission is to inspire, educate and engage people to serve as lifelong stewards for animals and their habitats. The Associate Veterinarian is a key position within our team through support of our Animal Health program at both Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park.

This position will be based in our brand-new, state-of-the-art 32,000 square foot Bill and Bernice Grewcock Animal Hospital, set for completion in late 2025. The role also provides veterinary support in a newly renovated hospital within the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. The zoo’s new hospital will feature an updated imaging suite, including a CT scanner, and expanded onsite clinical laboratory capabilities. The facility will include a large viewing room for our surgical suite, 2 treatment rooms, and an advanced imaging area that will be utilized for programming for our onsite Education programs, including post-graduate training.

The Associate Veterinarian will assist in managing all aspects of medical care and health management for a very large and diverse collection of more than 1,000 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. This position involves work at two separately accredited AZA facilities - Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari, a drive-through park located approximately 30 miles west of Omaha. Preferred candidates will have substantial experience in the veterinary care of a broad taxonomic group of exotic animals as well as excellent communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.

This position reports directly to the Director of Animal and joins a team of 5 associate veterinarians and a hospital supervisor who manages a staff comprising veterinary technicians, a hospital keeper, and a hospital coordinator. The program was recently approved by the American College of Zoological Medicine as a resident training site with plans for our first resident to start in 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Work with animal care staff and veterinary team to provide excellent preventive, routine and emergency medical care to all Zoo, Aquarium, and Safari Park animals.
• Support Animal Health department engagement initiatives and maintain a positive workplace culture.
• Implement and follow animal health policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure industry best practices and team safety.
• Assists with ensuring veterinary compliance with regulatory, licensing and accreditation standards, including but not limited to USDA-APHIS, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), NE Department of Health and Human Services, NE Department of Agriculture and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
• Work collaboratively with Animal Care professionals to implement animal health programing into daily husbandry practices, as needed.
• Assist in managing animal transactions, including coordination with other institutions and state and federal regulatory agencies.
• Prepare reports and presentations for publication or delivery at both professional and public forums.
• Maintain accurate, timely medical records in accordance with established protocols.
• Communicate and collaborate with colleagues and local veterinary and medical specialists on clinical cases as needed.
• Keep current on the latest techniques and literature in the field of wildlife and general veterinary medicine to ensure staff meet and exceed the standard of care for the animal collection.
• Perform gross necropsies and collect samples for histopathology, prepare necropsy reports, and formulate recommendations for preventive measures.
• Support the Zoo’s conservation programs and other research efforts by collecting samples and by gathering and submitting data as directed.
• Conduct or participate in in situ and ex situ research projects involving the health, husbandry, breeding, welfare, and/or conservation of both captive and wild populations of animals where applicable.
• Provide guidance and mentorship for visiting veterinary students, technicians, and interns, as needed.
  Serve on internal animal committees (training, enrichment, animal welfare, etc.) and serve as liaison to other departments as needed.
• Perform other duties as needed to ensure the care of the animals in the collection, the smooth functioning of the department, and/or the reputation of the zoo as directed by the Director of Animal Health.
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (or VMD) from an AVMA-accredited school of veterinary medicine (or equivalent) is required.
• Board certification as a specialist in the American College of Zoological Medicine (or equivalent) is desired.
• Must possess or be able to obtain veterinary licensure in the state of Nebraska by time of starting employment.
• Ability to obtain USDA category II accreditation in the state of Nebraska along with TB testing ability within 3 months of employment start date.
• 3 years of experience (or equivalent) as a veterinarian in a zoological institution is desired.
• Comprehensive knowledge of established principles and best practices of Zoo and aquarium animal medicine, including safety, animal restraint, dangerous drug administration, record keeping and observation skills.
• Able to work in a team environment with animal care staff and other departments and foster trust-based relationships.
• Communication skills sufficient to convey complex biological and scientific concepts to a diverse and varied audiences and bring action to support an initiative or program.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines relating to the application of veterinary medicine in zoological parks and related programs.
• Must possess high emotional intelligence, and situational awareness.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, preferred.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid state driver’s license.
• Proof of negative TB screening and up to date Rabies vaccination.

Candidates might be (depending on position) required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative skin tuberculosis test, and possess a valid driver’s license with a good history.

Physical Demands:

• Will lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 75 pounds using safe and proper lifting methods.
• Ability to frequently bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, reach upward, twist, and have good lateral movement.
• Ability to perform large amount of walking and walk up and down stairs.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring heavy use of arms, wrists, and exertion of upper body, arms, and hands to perform duties.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions year-round sometimes on uneven terrain.
• Ability to work with animals with potential zoonotic disease.
• Able to work with narcotics for use in animal immobilizations as well as pain control which can be life-threatening to humans.
• Willing to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, holidays and evening hours in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to be on call as necessary.

DISCLAIMER

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.