Associate Veterinarian (Veterinarian)

City of Norfolk, VA; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Employer-paid pension plan

Tuition assistance

Parking

Credit union membership

Life insurance

Job summary

The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, VA is seeking an Associate Zoo Veterinarian to join a growing animal health team. You will provide medical and surgical care across a diverse collection, collaborate with curators and keepers, and contribute to conservation and research efforts.

The role requires AVMA-accredited education, Virginia license eligibility, and zoo intern experience, with ACCZM/ECZM desirable. On-site work with rotating after-hours duties is expected.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an AVMA accredited veterinary school with a degree in veterinary medicine (DMV) or equivalent.
• Requires adequate zoo experience to ensure a level of professional skill vital to the provision of veterinary medicine.
• ACZM or ECZM board eligibility or certification highly desirable.
• USDA Category II Accreditation for Virginia required within 3 months of hire.
• Must possess or obtain a valid Virginia driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Provide preventative and emergency veterinary care for a wide variety of taxa.
• Perform surgical and anesthetic procedures, including in guest-viewing areas.
• Maintain USDA Category II Accreditation and support acquisitions/dispositions.
• Ensure accurate and timely recordkeeping in ZIMS.
• Mentor visiting students, technicians, and interns.
• Respond to animal emergencies and participate in after-hours on-call duties.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Adaptability

Education

DVM or equivalent from AVMA-accredited school

Virginia license/eligibility

Zoo internship experience

ACZM/ECZM board eligibility desirable

Job description

Description The Virginia Zoo is seeking a skilled and compassionate Associate Zoo Veterinarian to join our expanding animal health team. The growing department includes a Senior Director of Animal Health (diplomate of ACZM and ECZM), two Associate Veterinarians (including this position), an Office Manager/Veterinary Technician, two additional Veterinary Technicians, a Registrar, a Lead Animal Health Keeper, and two Animal Health Keepers.

Description The Virginia Zoo is seeking a skilled and compassionate Associate Zoo Veterinarian to join our expanding animal health team. The growing department includes a Senior Director of Animal Health (diplomate of ACZM and ECZM), two Associate Veterinarians (including this position), an Office Manager/Veterinary Technician, two additional Veterinary Technicians, a Registrar, a Lead Animal Health Keeper, and two Animal Health Keepers.

This is an exceptional opportunity to become part of a dynamic team at a rapidly growing facility. You will play a key role in the care and welfare of a diverse animal collection while contributing to meaningful conservation efforts. At the Virginia Zoo, you will be valued as an integral member of a collaborative veterinary team committed to excellence and dedicated to innovative, progressive animal health practices.

Located just steps from the Chesapeake Bay—with kayak access right outside our fence—and only 30 minutes from the oceanfront and three hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Virginia Zoo offers both a meaningful career and an exceptional quality of life.

Department Starting Salary Range: $97,066.69 - $111,386.26

Essential Functions

• Foster a positive, professional work environment and maintain collaborative relationships with zoo staff, volunteers, the public, City of Norfolk employees, board members, and vendors.
• Work closely with curators, keepers, and the veterinary team on clinical case management and daily operations.
• Stay current with veterinary literature to support evidence-based medical decisions and maintain compliance with industry standards.
• Deliver preventative and emergency care for a wide variety of taxa including mega vertebrates, great apes, large carnivores, hoofstock, small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.
• Perform surgical and anesthetic procedures, including those conducted in guest‑viewing areas.
• Conduct gross necropsies, submit appropriate diagnostic samples, determine suitable preventive actions for surviving group members, and communicate findings to the animal care team promptly.
• Provide emergency care and euthanasia for wildlife found on zoo grounds when appropriate.
• Maintain a USDA Category II Accreditation and support the veterinary component of animal acquisitions and dispositions.
• Ensure accurate and timely recordkeeping in ZIMS.
• Participate in zoo‑wide initiatives such as animal welfare assessments, behavior training programs, and enrichment planning.
• Ensure compliance with AVMA, USDA, AZA, and other regulatory standards relevant to zoo veterinary practices.
• Share in after‑hours emergency on‑call rotation.
• Respond to animal‑related emergencies within the zoo.
• Handle high concentrated anesthetic drugs and respond to human exposure to these drugs.
• Provide training to zoo staff and volunteers on relevant topics such as zoonotic diseases.
• Mentor visiting students, technicians, and interns.
• Represent the zoo professionally to the public, media, and external partners.
• Participate in tours, educational events, and guest engagement activities as needed.
• Collaborate with colleagues on clinical cases as needed.
• Contribute to the zoo’s conservation and research initiatives through sample collection, data submission, and participation in research studies.
• Present findings through peer‑reviewed publications or at professional conferences to advance the fields of zoo medicine, animal welfare, husbandry, and conservation.
• Carry out additional duties assigned by the Senior Director of Animal Health to ensure high standards of care and departmental functionality.
• Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed. May be required to stay overnight at the Zoo in cases of animal illness, severe weather, or other emergencies that impact regular travel.
• Must be able to respond to the Zoo within 45 minutes under normal traffic conditions in the event of an emergency when on‑call.

Education/Experience

Graduation from an AVMA accredited veterinary school with a degree in veterinary medicine (DMV) or equivalent.

Requires adequate zoo experience to ensure a level of professional skill vital to the provision of veterinary medicine.

Preferred Education/Experience

• DVM or equivalent from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school.
• Valid license (or eligibility) to practice veterinary medicine in Virginia required prior to employment start date.
• Minimum of 2 years full‑time postgraduate experience in veterinary medicine, including at least 1 year at a zoo veterinary internship in an AZA‑accredited (or equivalent) institution or at least 2 years at an AZA‑accredited (or equivalent) institution.
• Must have post‑graduate experience anesthetizing large carnivores, great apes, hoofstock, and mega vertebrates.
• Completion of a zoological internship or residency preferred.
• ACZM or ECZM board eligibility or certification highly desirable.
• USDA Category II Accreditation for Virginia required within 3 months of hire.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Proficient in modern zoo veterinary practices, including anesthesia, diagnostics, recordkeeping, and the safe use of controlled substances.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in team‑based, interdisciplinary environments.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to zoo veterinary medicine.
• High emotional intelligence, professionalism, self‑awareness, and situational awareness.
• Must possess or obtain a valid Virginia driver’s license.
• Negative TB test and current rabies vaccination required.

Preferred License(s) And/or Certification(s)

• Must obtain a Virginia State Driver’s License within 6 months of hire.
• Must become CPR certified within 6 months of hire

Additional Information & Requirements

Work Location: Virginia Zoological Park, 3500 Granby St., Norfolk, VA 23504

Work Hours: Either Sunday through Thursday or Tuesday through Saturday 7:30 – 4:30, depending on departmental needs. Shared after‑hours on‑call. Additional days and times as needed. Schedule is subject to change depending on departmental needs. Potential to shift to a ten‑hour, four‑day work week in the future.

• Regular full‑time and permanent part‑time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long‑term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full‑time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.
• Temporary/seasonal and part‑time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre‑tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre‑tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self‑development and education. Permanent full‑time and permanent part‑time classified, unclassified permanent, full‑time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

Note

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.