Wildlife Disease Specialist

Colorado State University; United States; On-site; USD 40,000 - 57,000; Part time

Job summary

Colorado State University, in partnership with the National Park Service Wildlife Health Team and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, seeks a wildlife disease specialist to design a national park wildlife disease surveillance plan within a One Health framework. The role is part-time (approximately 10 hours per week) for 6–9 months, with flexible hours based on workload.

The successful candidate will bring experience in wildlife health, epidemiology, biosafety practices, and data management, and

Qualifications

• Graduate degree (PhD) or professional (DVM) in biological, wildlife or veterinary fields with wildlife disease and epidemiology experience.
• Must be able to operate a computer and phone.
• Must provide own space to work with workable computer, phone and internet access.

Responsibilities

• Refine goals, objectives, scope and components of the plan with NPS veterinarian and park natural resource managers.
• Identify and prioritize diseases of concern for focal species, considering potential spillover to wildlife and humans.
• Develop surveillance strategies for priority diseases that align with park management and research operations.
• Establish detailed sample collection, submission and archive protocols and data management plans for surveillance data.
• Develop disease outbreak and wildlife mortality response protocols including reporting, biosecurity and field procedures.
• Train or facilitate training of park personnel and partners in surveillance strategies, safe practices and data management.
• Define a process for structured annual review with partners to evaluate plan effectiveness and relevance.
• Maintain routine communication with NPS veterinarian and park managers on project objectives and progress.
• Facilitate scheduling and operation of team meetings with project collaborators.

Skills

Wildlife health

Epidemiology

Biological sampling

Diagnostic interpretation

Biosafety

Written/verbal communication

Education

PhD in biology/wildlife or DVM

Graduate degree in veterinary medicine

Tools

TEAMS

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Job Description Position Summary The National Park Service (NPS) Wildlife Health Team and Biological Resources Division in cooperation with Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory supports the NPS mission of preserving natural resources by providing technical assistance to parks and regions and using multi-disciplinary One Health and landscape-scale approaches for solving complex health and conservation challenges. We are looking for a wildlife disease specialist to develop a comprehensive wildlife disease surveillance plan for a national park that supports conservation of wildlife and protection of public health within a One Health adaptive, management framework. The successful candidate for this position will have experience in wildlife health and disease, epidemiology, biological sampling and diagnostic test interpretation, and biosafety and biosecurity practices within a management or research context. We are looking for an individual who is highly motivated, detail orientated, and responsible, someone who can work independently and within a dynamic team, and someone with excellent oral and written communication skills. This position is part time (approximately 10 hours a week) for 6 – 9 months. Approximately 10 – 12 hours per week with flexibility to negotiate hours worked per week depending on workload and necessary timeline to complete project objectives by 6 – 9 months. Work Unit Description Veterinary Health System The Veterinary Health System transforms our service units into a comprehensive veterinary medical center governed by responsible management that supports our units’ individual missions. Capitalizing on Colorado State University’s top ranking in veterinary medicine, and building on our tradition of providing high-quality compassionate care and achieving outstanding clinical outcomes, the Veterinary Health System broadens our expertise and skill to deliver the highest levels of customer service, employee satisfaction, and advancements in medicine through clinical service, diagnostics, research, and innovation. Work Unit | Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories Faculty and staff at the CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories (VDL) are among the nation’s finest in their fields of expertise and offer comprehensive diagnostic services. The mission of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) is to provide timely, accurate and pertinent animal disease diagnostic services and educational outreach to veterinarians, animal industries and animal interests. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will strive to meet the goals the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the University through research to develop new approaches to disease identification, investigation, prevention and through education of professional veterinary medical, graduate, and post‑doctoral students.

Application Deadline November 1, 2026 by 11:59pm

Essential Job Duties

• Refine goals, objectives, scope and components of the plan with NPS veterinarian and park natural resource managers.
• Identify and prioritize diseases of concern for focal species, considering potential for spillover to other wildlife and humans.
• Develop surveillance strategies for priority diseases that align with park management and research operations.
• Establish detailed sample collection, submission and archive protocols and data management plans for surveillance data.
• Develop disease outbreak and wildlife mortality response protocols including timely reporting and communications, immobilization of personnel and resources, biosecurity and biosafety guidance for personnel and detailed sample collection and field necropsy protocols.
• Train or facilitate training of park personnel and partners in surveillance strategies, safe practices and data management to support sustainable implementation of the plan.
• Define a process for structured annual review with partners and stakeholders to evaluate and refine the plan’s effectiveness and relevance to emerging threats and available technologies and diagnostic capabilities.
• Maintain routine and timely communication with NPS veterinarian and park natural resource managers on project objectives, progress and questions as they arise.
• Facilitate scheduling and operation of team meetings with project collaborators and stakeholders as jointly identified and planned with NPS veterinarian and park natural resource managers.

Conditions of Employment

Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for all new hires)

Valid Driver’s License

Must possess or obtain a valid driver’s license by the employment start date and maintain such in good standing for duration of active employment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have at least a graduate (PhD) or professional (DVM) degree in biological, wildlife or veterinary related fields and have wildlife disease, diagnostic interpretation and epidemiological experience.
• Must be able to operate a computer and phone.
• Must provide own space to work with workable computer, phone and internet access.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in use of email, MS WORD, MS Excel for written communications, products and data management.
• Proficiency in use of online databases to complete literature searches and compile related published data and information.
• Familiarity with TEAMS, Microsoft Office 350, Adobe software and statistical programs preferred.

Additional Information

Position may extend up August 31, 2027 depending on project needs and funds available.

Salary Range $35.00/hour

Required Application Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world‑class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work‑life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

Review our detailed benefits information. Explore the additional perks of working at CSU. For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator. Lastly, for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Inspired by its land‑grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.

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