Associate Veterinarian at Calgary Zoo

Job Details

Title:Associate Veterinarian Version:1.0 Reporting To:Senior Manager, Animal HealthLocation:Animal Health CentreEmployment Type:Full TimeSafety Sensitive:YesBranch:Animal Care, Health & WelfareClassification:Specialist 3Department:Animal HealthCell Phone RequiredYes

Job Summary

CommentsThe Associate Veterinarian is primarily responsible for day to day animal health activities (clinical medicine, surgery, pathology, etc). This is a full time position that reports to the Senior Manager of Animal Health and Welfare.

Job Responsibilities

The following duties are typical for this role. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Comments- Execute the components of the zoo’s preventive health care program. Conduct regularly scheduled vaccination and preventive care programs to maintain health of animals and guard against communicable diseases. Update taxa specific recommendations based on scientific advancements.

- Conduct effective quarantine procedures, protocols, examinations and appropriate testing procedures for all incoming animals, and carry out pre-shipment testing to ensure health of the zoo's and associated conservation centers' animals, monitor for and prevent spread of disease, and interface with provincial and federal government agencies and comply with government regulations.

-Conduct preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and emergency procedures, including, but not limited to, surgery, digital imaging (e.g. radiography, CT, ultrasonography, endoscopy) with interventional procedures, dental prophylaxis and radiology, anesthesia induction, monitoring and recovery, pharmaceutical administration, and detailed record keeping, at the zoo and associated conservation facilities.

- Employ sound medical, ethical, and welfare driven decision making and provide appropriate medical care to injured, sick, or infirmed animals.

- Provide 24 hour/365 days a year on call duties (shared) for veterinary care of the zoo's and associated conservation center's species.

- Conduct necropsies and assist with tracking and analysis of pathology program.

- Maintain timely and complete medical records on all clinical and pathology cases.

- Oversee the tracking and trend analysis of morbidity cases.

- Serve as the veterinary liaison for an assigned area of the zoo, overseeing animal health related incoming and outgoing pre-shipment requirements, animal health protocol development and revision, and veterinary input and participation in animal welfare/wellbeing and animal management meetings as required.

- Aid in the capture, re-capture, and restraint of animals as required.

- Understand and apply a practical understanding of operant conditioning as it relates to veterinary procedures and partner with Animal Care staff to develop and train medical husbandry behaviours.

- Assist with nutrition and reproduction programs, and foster collaboration within institution and between institutions to achieve common goals.

- Assist with the training, education, and mentorship of veterinary students.

- Assist with the selection, training, education, and mentorship of the zoological medicine intern.

- Assist with the training of registered veterinary technologists, other Animal Care, Health and Welfare (ACHW) staff, Conservation and Science staff, and other staff as appropriate, on animal health related procedures, protocols, or topics.

- Participate in staff meetings and leadership training meetings with information sharing to ACHW, or other zoo staff, as appropriate.

- Ensure a safe work environment by following all safety guidelines, communicating safety concerns, and modeling safe work practices

- Participate in research and conservation breeding projects in coordination with the ACHW staff, and Conservation and Science staff where appropriate.

- May participate in exhibit planning and design, animal population planning, interfacing with other WICZ departments.

- Assume relevant or assigned departmental responsibilities and management when senior manager and a senior veterinarian is unavailable.

- May assist the Senior Manager of Animal Health with development, management, and attainment of goals of Department and ACHW branch.

- Represent the zoo on internal and external committees as discussed with and assigned by Senior Manager of Animal Health and/or ACHW director.

- Provide veterinary expertise when required/requested with respect to media content development and delivery.

- May act as consultant and provide assistance/expert advice to veterinarians in general practice, to government, and to wildlife professionals for the appropriate treatment or handling of exotic animals and wildlife.

- Exhibits good teamwork, intra- and interdepartmental collaboration, and verbal and written communication skills.

- Ensure minimum annual continuing education requirements for ABVMA are completed to maintain licensure.

- May include other animal health related duties not described above.

Position Specific CompetenciesTitle and DefinitionTeamworkIs an effective team player who adds complementary skills and contributes valuable ideas, opinions and feedback. Communicates in an open and candid manner and can be counted upon to fulfill any commitments made to others on the team. This is distinctly different from those who withhold ideas and opinions, offer ideas or opinions that rarely add value to team discussions, have established a track record with many unmet commitments, and/or have not contributed skills that complement the skills of others on the team.Education and Self DevelopmentMakes it a practice to take charge of self-development by soliciting feedback, setting priorities, and then acquiring or strengthening skills and knowledge through coursework or other methods. This is in distinct contrast to those who avoid, discount or ignore feedback, fail to identify self-improvement needs or resist learning opportunities as unnecessary or untimely.Innovative ThinkingLooks out for new and innovative approaches that will improve efficiency. Embraces and champions new ideas and encourages others to do likewise. Recognizes and rewards people and teams who are creative and innovative. This is in sharp contrast to those who tend to embrace the status quo, struggle with new approaches and discourage others when they are creative and innovative in the pursuit of increased efficiency or effectiveness.

Core CompetenciesTitle and Definition

Job FunctionThe ability to perform the key functions of the role, demonstrate the knowledge or skills needed to perform the essential responsibilities of the role, and deliver the contributions and quality expected of the role.

Communication and CollaborationCommunication is the ability to ensure that information is passed on to others who should be kept informed, express oneself clearly in conversations and interactions with others, and express oneself clearly in business writing.

Collaboration is the ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with individuals and teams inside or outside the Calgary Zoo. As a team member, collaboration is the ability and desire to work cooperatively with others on a team; as a team leader, the ability to demonstrate interest, skill, and success in getting groups to learn to work together.

Customer FocusThe ability to demonstrate concern for and meet the needs of one’s external and/or internal customers.

Health and SafetyThe ability to promote a healthy, safe and environmentally friendly workplace by anticipating unsafe acts and conditions and correcting them before harm is done, actively engaging in injury and disease prevention, taking ownership for the health and safety of self and others, and proactively identifying and supporting green initiatives.

Mission and VisionThe ability to support the Calgary Zoo's conservation mission and vision by learning about zoo conservation programs and initiatives, applying conservation knowledge in areas of work and influence, and finding ways to connect, engage and inspire self and others inside and outside the zoo to support conservation.

EducationEducationProgram of StudyRequired, Preferred or an Asset

DoctorateVeterinary MedicineRequiredExperience and Qualification RequirementsMinimum Years RequiredMaximum Years RequiredType of Experience

Healthcare/Medical - Healthcare Practitioner/Medical SpecialistExperience RequirementsMinimum 3 years of full time zoological medicine experience.

Strong preference for completion of an internship and/or residency in zoological medicine, with eligibility for board certification by the American College of Zoological Medicine (or similar) considered an asset.

Excellent communication skills in a team environment.

Must be able to establish and maintain an effective rapport with all levels of management, employees, and guests.

Must have good observational skills.

The position is part of the zoo’s tactical response team. If required to participate in firearm response, must possess or be eligible to possess firearm Possession and Acquisition License (PAL).

Excellent written and verbal communications, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Ability to exercise sound judgement independently and while contributing and participating in a team environment.

Ability to prioritize competing interests/requests to maximize the department’s performance and efficiencyCertification & LicensesName of Certification or License RequiredProvince

ABVMA Licensed VeterinarianABClass 5 Driver's LicenceABPeople Leader Responsibilities

Yes/No

Hire EmployeesNoPromote EmployeesNoTerminate EmployeesNoSet PayNoMentor and Coach EmployeesYesAssign and Evaluate WorkYesEvaluate PerformanceNoSupervise VolunteersYes

Budget ManagementBudget Amount Accountable forRevenue Amount Accountable for

Working Conditions

Comments- Must have ability to work flexible hours, including weekdays, weekends and holidays, and occasional evenings for to ensure animal health team coverage especially with intensive care/emergency cases. On-call work when required (shared with members of the Animal Health team)

- Involves outdoor and indoor work, with occasional heavy lifting and long periods of standing

- Must be able to work in inclement weather

- Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull, bend, climb stairs and ladders, and carry up to 23 kg (50 lbs).

- Exposure to various fauna (some of which are potentially dangerous), strong odours, animal bodily fluids and excreta

- Significant computer work for medical records, reports, meetings, and correspondence

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.

Employee Statement of Understanding

I have read and understand the job description for my position and am able to perform all of the essential functions of this position.

As an employee, I will strive to uphold the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's mission to "take and inspire action to sustain wildlife and wild places" and the organization's vision to be "Canada's leader in wildlife conservation".

As an employee, I commit to live by the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's values: communication, collaboration, integrity, honesty, customer focus, safety and conservation.

I agree to comply with the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's Code of Conduct Policy and all laws, rules, regulations and standards of conduct relating to my position.