Director of Animal Health

Energy Vault; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoo New England is seeking a Director of Animal Health to oversee veterinary care for a diverse collection of 1,800 animals and drive initiatives in conservation and research. The role requires excellent leadership skills and significant experience in clinical zoo practice, along with the ability to engage in collaborative projects with world-renowned institutions. This is a crucial position in a growing organization focused on animal health and conservation.

Qualifications

• Veterinarian with license to practice in MA.
• 5+ years clinical experience in zoo medicine preferred.
• Knowledge of AZA and USDA guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Oversee medical and surgical care for all animals.
• Manage the clinical team and preventive health program.
• Coordinate with zoo staff for animal health maintenance.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Veterinary Care

Animal Nutrition

Research Design

Education

Veterinary Medicine License

Board Certification (American College of Zoological Medicine)

Job description

Director of Animal Health

Zoo New England is seeking applicants for the position of Director of Animal Health. Finding the right candidate as the best fit both for our team and the goals of our programs in clinical and conservation medicine is of highest importance.
The Director of Animal Health will oversee the clinical practice, the commissary, and provide leadership to the hospital staff.

In addition to clinical responsibilities for a diverse collection of approximately 1,800 animals representing 270 different species, Zoo New England has a growing number of developing programs dealing with One Health, conservation medicine, and zoological medicine research. The department of Animal Health and the departments of Field Conservation and Conservation Genomics are closely aligned. Additionally, in a unique relationship with the Harvard Medical School, fourth year medical students work with Zoo New England veterinarians during one-month formal rotations as part of a One Health clinical elective. This and other initiatives bring together collaborative partnerships with many of Boston’s world-famous institutes of health and science and opportunities abound for further work. The incoming veterinarian will have a significant role in helping to design and implement these programs.

Zoo New England is at an exciting time of growth, with several capital improvements recently completed, a new African penguin exhibit opening in early 2026, and a new hospital and conservation research center that is currently being designed. We have an institutional strategic plan that prioritizes conservation and research, roles that are central to the department of Animal Health.

This position will work collaboratively with two full-time associate veterinarians to manage the clinical case load and preventative health program, and with the commissary supervisor to manage the animal nutrition program. Remaining Animal Health staff includes four full-time licensed veterinary technicians, one of which serves as hospital manager, and a full-time Integrated Pest Management Specialist. Zoo New England operates two separate AZA-accredited zoos: the Franklin Park Zoo, in Boston, and the Stone Zoo, in Stoneham, MA (15 miles apart). ZNE also provides veterinary care to a small native wildlife collection at a nearby natural history museum. Base of operations for the veterinary team is at the Franklin Park Zoo.

The successful candidate will have good communication skills, high energy, work well in a group, and provide positive leadership to the clinical team.

Essential Job Responsibilities:
• Experienced clinical veterinarian providing oversight for medical and surgical care of all animals at ZNE and Mass Audubon’s Blue Hills Trailside Museum
• Management responsibilities and leadership for the clinical team
• Coordinates with other zoo staff in activities required for animal health maintenance
• Oversight and maintenance of a preventive health program up to AZA and AAZV standards
• Able to coordinate and participate in all aspects of veterinary care for the animal collection
• Oversight of the Commissary and animal nutrition program
• Help to conceive, plan, and execute projects and programs in conservation medicine and scientific research, as it relates to care and conservation of zoo and wildlife species

Preferred Qualifications:

• Board certification with the American College of Zoological Medicine is strongly preferred
• 5 years or more of full-time clinical zoo practice with excellent clinical skills
• Experience and interest in conservation medicine
• Knowledge of animal nutrition, diet formulation, and best practices in commissary operations
• Design and implementation of research using scientific method
• Willingness to engage in scientific research and produce regular publications in scholarly journals
• Willingness to engage in the professional zoo medicine community
• Management experience and desire to lead a team
• Working knowledge of all aspects of animal health care of exotic and zoo animals
• Working knowledge of all applicable wildlife regulations and laws
• Knowledge of applicable AZA and USDA guidelines and regulations that pertain to ZNE and TSM
• DEA license for controlled substances in MA and Federal
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Minimum Qualifications:
• License to practice veterinary medicine in US and the Commonwealth of MA, or ability to obtain within 6 months
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and overtime when needed
• Must be able to work outside in inclement weather conditions to provide veterinary care
• Able to perform at a competent level under high stress conditions
• Willingness to work in direct contact with dangerous animals and potentially zoonotic diseases, as well as toxic and hazardous conditions
• Understand zoonotic disease risks and practice safe handling / procedures when working with ZNE’s animal collection
• Working knowledge of all applicable wildlife regulations and laws
• Knowledge of applicable AZA and USDA guidelines and regulations
• Accredited by the USDA for health certificates and cervid cervical TB testing, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire
• Must have rabies immunization and allow for rabies titers and TB testing according to ZNE policy
• Must be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2
• Must abide by all written ZNE policies and procedures
• Class III driver’s license
• Class A firearms license, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire
• Ability to pass CORI screens

To apply:

Feel free to contact Dr. Eric Baitchman for inquiries, [e-mail].

To complete an application click link below:

Apply Here

Preference given to applications received before June 30, 2025