Clinical Associate Veterinarian

Job Title: Clinical Associate Veterinarian
Reports To: Director of Animal Health
FLSA Status: Exempt 
Effective Date:  January 24, 2025

White Oak conserves and sustains some of the earth's rarest wild animals through innovative training, research, education, and conservation breeding programs that contribute to the survival of wildlife in nature.  The conservation programs span 600 acres along the St. Mary’s River in northeast Florida, surrounded by 17,000 acres of mixed forest and wetlands that make up the beautiful White Oak property.  Founded in 1982, White Oak leads professional efforts to improve veterinary care, develop holistic animal management techniques, and better understand the biology of critically endangered species by providing excellent care and managing conservation programs for over 30 species of imperiled wildlife in large, naturalistic habitats.

Position Purpose:  

Provides consistent, routine, and effective health care advice, treatment and surgery for White Oak’s animal collection and wildlife programs; serves as a teacher and mentor for students, veterinary residents, the animal care team, and others in White Oak’s professional training programs; participates in White Oak’s research programs; and collaborates within and across departments to help achieve White Oak’s conservation initiatives by implementation of the following responsibilities.  

Essential Responsibilities:  

The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include the following. Other duties may be assigned, and some duties may be shared with other personnel, or may not be assigned at all. 

• Assists the Director of Animal Health with development, coordination and maintenance of White Oak’s animal health strategy to assure the well-being of the animal collection by providing effective preventive and clinical health programs.  This includes providing scientific advice concerning nutrition, environment, reproduction, and collection sustainability. 
• Works closely with the animal care team in evaluating animal health and preventing and treating illness.  Works collaboratively with team members to develop mutually agreeable disease prevention, diagnostic, and treatment plans. 
• Observes animals for indications of illness and injury. 
• Prescribes and performs a wide variety of simple and advanced diagnostic techniques including but not limited to palpation, auscultation, fundoscopy, otoscopy, electrocardiography, radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopy, laparoscopy, catheterization, aspiration, and biopsy. 
• Collects biological samples for diagnostic testing, orders necessary tests, and interprets the results of such tests.   
• Prescribes and administers medications, including controlled pharmaceuticals, closely monitors the results of treatments, and adjusts treatment strategies as needed. 
• Responsible for the chemical and/or physical immobilization and anesthesia of animals for diagnosis, treatment, surgery, management, and transport. 
• Assists with supervision of the animal health care team including scheduling and oversight of the veterinary facility including the pharmacy and offices.    
• Assists Director of Animal Health to develop and monitor hospital and animal health care operations annual budget and related capital projects.    
• Develops, implements, and evaluates animal health policies, processes, and protocols, while improving and enhancing related processes. 
• Determines disease diagnoses, prescribes medications and identifies appropriate treatment for all sick and injured animals onsite and coordination of pathology program to determine cause of death.  Determine trends and repetitive clinical signs over time.  Maintain all appropriate records. 
• Performs humane euthanasia when necessary in accordance with established policy and procedures. 
• Researches, plans and coordinates for future species additions into the collection by sharing information, knowledge and updates with the animal care team. This includes conducting and establishing effective quarantine and testing procedures for all animals entering or leaving the collection. 
• Examines animals to be shipped, conducts the appropriate tests required by regulatory agencies and receiving institutions and issues appropriate health certificates. 
• Participates in exhibit planning and design, collection management planning, veterinary outreach activities, and zoological research programs which includes participation in fund development and identifying partnership opportunities. 
• Participates in the selection of and provides programmatic guidance and training for zoological medicine residents (University of Florida, with other programs possible) and other students. 
• Assists with staff training in handling and care of animals, zoonoses, and safety and hygiene. 
• Ensures 24 hour a day on-call veterinary response including emergency medical attention for diseased or traumatized animals. 
• Participates in White Oak conservation and sustainability projects in support of conservation goals, including occasional regional and international travel. 
• Participates in related animal health, conservation and research related conferences, symposiums and meetings. 
• Initiates, plans, and conducts original independent research studies and clinical trials in zoological/wildlife medicine and surgery.  Facilitates and provides guidance for resident, veterinary student, and graduate student research and clinical studies. 
• Participates on White Oak’s Research and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees. 
• Keeps informed and maintains continuing education requirements on current medical and veterinary information by monitoring pertinent literature and attending professional meetings, conferences, and courses. 
• Participates with White Oak conservation capacity building programs and works with the capacity building team to interpret animal health and conservation medicine and communicate with guests and students.    

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

Assists Directory of Animal Health with supervision and management of Veterinary Hospital employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with White Oak policies, and all applicable state and federal laws. 

Supervisory responsibilities may include:  budgeting, interviewing, hiring and training new employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising, documenting and evaluating employee work performance, recognizing and commending good work performance; disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving personnel issues. 

Requirements: 

• Completion of a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from a recognized institution. 
• At least 3 years related experience in the practice of zoological/wildlife veterinary medicine 
• The individual should be a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine or be board-eligible and able to sit for the examination within 2 years of employment 
• Current good standing with the veterinary state board of any states that have issued a license and with the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians 
• Current State of Florida veterinary license or be able to sit for licensure within six months of employment 
• Current USDA Category II Accreditation in the State of Florida or be able to become accredited within six months of employment.   
• Current DEA license for use of controlled substances (Schedules 2 through 5) or be able to obtain the license within six months of employment. 
• Should have a valid driver’s license. 
• Proficient in computer use and zoo industry record management software (ZIMS, Tracks) 
• Strong systematic and strategic thinking in combination with a proven ability to translate thinking to action and impact 
• An excellent ability to build strategic networks and partnerships with various internal and external stakeholders 
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing 

White Oak Conservation is committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives are welcome, and to nurturing a culture where everyone feels valued and appreciated. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law.