Director of Clinical Medicine

Wildlife Conservation Society: New York Aquarium; New York (NY); On-site; USD 165,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401K

Pension

Parental leave

Job summary

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in New York’s Bronx Zoo seeks a Director of Clinical Medicine to lead the Zoological Health Program’s clinical division. You will oversee clinical operations staff across three city zoos, maintain licensure, mentor veterinarians and technicians, and ensure high-quality care for the animal collection in alignment with USDA, AZA, and NYS standards.

This exempt, full-time role reports to the VP of the Zoological Health Program and requires strong leadership

Qualifications

• Hold a veterinary degree (DVM, VMD, DMV, or equivalent).
• Maintain or obtain New York State Veterinary License, USDA accreditation, DEA license, and a valid driver’s license.
• Board certification or eligibility in ACZM/ECZM/ABVP is desirable.
• Proficient in reading, writing, and communicating in English with excellent written, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Be able to work a flexible schedule, including non-traditional hours, holidays, on-call, emergencies, and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Maintain licensure and knowledge of current information and procedures in zoological and wildlife medicine.
• Ensure staff stay updated on advances in veterinary medicine.
• Provide high-quality veterinary care to the Bronx Zoo and City Zoos.
• Actively participate in clinical cases and monitor ongoing health issues.
• Maintain a proactive preventive health care and quarantine program.
• Develop and implement veterinary protocols meeting USDA, DEA, OSHA, AZA, AAZV, NYS and NYC standards.
• Mentor and supervise clinical staff to foster professionalism and quality care.
• Oversee the clinical operating budget and ensure resource efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

English proficiency

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

DVM/VMD/DMV or equivalent

New York State Veterinary License eligibility

USDA accreditation

DEA license

Board certification or eligibility (ACZM/ECZM/ABVP) desirable

Job description

Title: Director of Clinical Medicine
Reports To: Vice President, Zoological Health Program (VPZHP)
Position Managed: Clinical Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians
Department: Zoological Health Program
Location: Bronx Zoo
Employment Type: Non-Union, Exempt, Full-Time
Pay Range: $165,000 - $180,000

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS):

WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.

Position Summary:

The Director of Clinical Medicine provides leadership for the clinical division of the WCS Zoological Health Program (ZHP) and oversees the clinical program and clinical operations staff at the Bronx Zoo, as well as the clinical animal health program across the three city zoos. This position reports to the VPZHP. The Director of Clinical Medicine is a key leader and integral part of the WCS Zoos & Aquarium Division and collaborates to provide optimal care for animals in the parks. The ability to maintain a current NY State veterinary license; manage a diverse staff with multiple veterinary disciplines; maintain knowledge of current zoological veterinary medicine; provide effective leadership and mentoring; and have strong written and oral communication skills are important elements critical to carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

Principal Responsibilities: (

• Maintain veterinary licensure, competency, and knowledge of current information and procedures in zoological and wildlife medicine, and wherever appropriate, incorporate new advances into the ZHP to enhance animal care and well-being.
• Ensure ZHP clinical staff also maintain and utilize current knowledge of advances in veterinary medicine.
• Ensure that the WCS animal collections are provided with the highest quality of veterinary care.
• Actively participate in clinical cases and be fully informed of ongoing animal health issues and concerns across the Bronx Zoo and City Zoos.
• Maintain an appropriate clinical case load to maintain competency while fulfilling other position responsibilities.
• Establish and maintain proactive preventive health care and quarantine programs.
• Regularly assess current protocols and investigate and implement new preventive health and quarantine procedures to ensure an efficient and sound program.
• Support animal department activities by regularly communicating with curators and ensure that appropriate, timely, and high-quality veterinary care, quarantine, clinical diagnostic testing, and other services are provided as needed.
• Supervise, mentor, support, and challenge the clinical staff to foster a team culture built around professionalism and respect while providing the highest quality of veterinary care.
• Develop and implement veterinary protocols and procedures that meet or exceed all regulatory guidelines and standards including, but not limited to, those from USDA, DEA, OSHA, AZA, AAZV, New York State, and New York City.
• Foster original scientific research and peer reviewed publication by clinical staff.
• Engage in scientific research or policy work.
• Develop and oversee the clinical operating budget.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the VPZHP.
• Ability to represent WCS in a professional manner in all activities and to provide a positive example to all staff.
• Assures safety of self, staff, animals, and guests through regular participation in safety training and activities; compliance with standard operating procedures; and proper operation and maintenance of equipment.
• Commitment to WCS’s mission and vision

• Hold a veterinary degree (DVM, VMD, DMV, or equivalent) with 10 or more years of experience in zoo/wildlife medicine.
• Have or be eligible to obtain, and maintain, a New York State Veterinary License, USDA accreditation, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Controlled DrugLicense, and a valid Driver's License.
• Demonstrated knowledge with all regulations including those from USDA, DEA, OSHA, AZA, AAZV, New York State, and New York City.
• Be able to manage a complex, multi-veterinarian, multi-technician health care program.
• Be able to work effectively outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and physical environments to administer appropriate veterinary care to the animal collection.
• Board certification or eligibility in relevant Veterinary College (ACZM, ECZM, ABVP, or equivalent) desirable.
• Proficient in reading, writing, and effectively communicating in English with excellent written, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work a flexible schedule, including working non-traditional hours, holidays, scheduled on-call, emergency responses, and weekends or evenings as needed.
• Experience communicating and coordinating activities with a variety of departments

Physical Demands:

• This role requires frequent use of a computer, including keyboarding, mouse use, and telephone communication.
• The position involves regular sitting, standing, walking, stair climbing, bending, reaching, and driving.
• Employees must be able to lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Occasional kneeling, overhead reaching, pushing and pulling, and navigating uneven terrain are required.

Work Conditions and Environment:

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors, including in all weather conditions, and may involve working closely with others or independently.
Occasional exposure to excess noise, potentially dangerous animals, and potentially infectious agents may occur.

Equal Employment Opportunity Disclaimer:

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging in a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and looking for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities. The organization complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies.

Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work.

Perks

20 Vacation, 13 Holidays, 12 Paid-Time-Off Days, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pension, 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave and much more…

Salary

$165,000 - $180,000

Wildlife Conservation Society: Bronx Zoo
2300 Southern Blvd.
Bronx, NY 10460
Phone: [phone]