Job Description: Veterinary Medical Director of the Cariño Veterinary Program

Description:

Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (SBWCN)’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and return to the wild sick, injured, orphaned, or oil-impaired wildlife in the Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. In addition to rescue and rehabilitation, the organization’s mission is to educate the public about living in harmony with wildlife. SBWCN employs a full time animal care and veterinary staff to help care for over 3,500 wild animals annually, of over 200 species. Assisted by over 150 volunteers, SBWCN works 365 days of the year to care for wildlife that urgently need help. SBWCN operates from its new hospital in the foothills of Goleta. 

The Veterinary Medical Director is responsible for providing & overseeing the veterinary care of animals in the care of SBWCN. This encompasses numerous responsibilities, however general priorities are as follows: 

• To strengthen and provide expertise to the animal rehabilitation program
• Save the lives of injured and orphaned wild animals in our care by ensuring that treatment of all wildlife in our care is executed to the highest achievable level with the assistance of the animal care/rehabilitation team, animal care interns, and volunteers. 
• Support the mission of the organization to Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Release wildlife and educate the public about living in harmony with wildlife. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Patient Care
• Responsible for creating an environment of teamwork in which quality medicine is delivered
• Serve as the Veterinarian for SBWCN; provide medical care for wildlife hospital patients. Perform diagnostic testing as needed. Perform medical, surgical, and anesthetic procedures. Advise staff during medical, surgical, and anesthetic procedures.
• Communicate medical information accurately to staff and the public as necessary and appropriate. 
• Work collaboratively with Animal Care staff for the wellbeing of patients
• Monitors the dispensation of controlled drugs and other prescribed treatments.
• Perform Intake exams as needed
• Maintains up-to-date and accurate medical records and evaluates / reviews Animal Care staff medical records.

• Education
• Trains and oversees staff and volunteers in aspects of veterinary medicine that will enhance the care of our patients and foster professional growth, meet department goals, and further the mission of inspiring and connecting people with wildlife in order to make the world we share healthier and safer for all of us.
• Provide externships to veterinary students, veterinary interns, and veterinarians 
• Develop and implement a veterinary internship program: While SBWCN currently does not have a veterinary internship program, SBWCN has plans to launch a new veterinary program within the 2 years and we would expect a candidate to have the experience to develop an internship program

• Administration
• Protocols 
• Develops medical protocols in conjunction with the Director of Wildlife Rehabilitation 
• Implements, as required, emergency patient evacuation protocols in the event of natural or other disasters
• Budgeting
• Develops budget for veterinary services and medical supplies and tracks expenses in the veterinary department
• Ordering
• Manages medicine orders, medical supply orders, and medical equipment purchases and repairs 
• Licensing 
• Works with department directors to ensure departments are in compliance with federal and state laws regarding veterinary medical and wildlife rehabilitation practices 
• Attends and participates in staff and management meetings 

• Research
• Continue SBWCN research projects with universities, non-profits, and corporations and develop new research opportunities for the organization

• Collaboration and Compliance:
• Maintain relationships with other rehabilitation centers as well as governmental agencies including California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Oiled Wildlife Care Network, Santa Barbara County Animal Services, Ventura County Animal Services,  and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

• Organizational Support: 
• Represents SBWCN at fundraising and other community or private events.

Qualifications: 

• 3-4 years experience in the practice of veterinary medicine. At least 2 years of experience with medical care of wild animals in rehabilitation or a zoological institution.
• Professional standing and ability to represent SBWCN with governmental regulatory agencies and professional organizations across the country.
• Flexible with the ability to adapt to a dynamic environment.
• Even tempered, ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills and ability to cultivate positive and congenial relationships with staff, volunteers, and partner organizations. 
• Teaching skills

Requirements:

• Education & Licensure:
• Graduation from an AVMA accredited veterinary school
• California state veterinary license in good standing, or the ability to acquire one by starting date
• DEA license
• Ability to complete Oiled Wildlife Care Network training to respond to oiled wildlife emergencies

• Physical requirements/work environment:
• Updated tetanus and rabies vaccinations
• Able to work a flexible schedule that may include weekends and holidays
• Experience with pelagic bird and oiled wildlife experience is ideal
• Ability to stand, speak, and listen for long periods of time (hours)
• Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and ability to use hands/arms to palpate, handle, feel, reach, and lift/move up to 40lbs
• Must be able to palpate and auscultate during animal exams
• Must be able to move about the center for hours, ascend/descend stairs, transport equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds, and position oneself into tight spaces, low areas, or on the ground to perform facility maintenance and animal care/husbandry
• Must be able to handle and restrain various sized avian species
• Must have good near, distance, color, and peripheral vision, as well as good depth perception and ability to adjust focus
• Indoor and outdoor conditions include temperatures of ~30-110 o F, rain, strong wind, high heat and humidity, dry air, and allergens
• Employees are exposed to moving parts, zoonotic diseases, aggressive/feral animals, toxic/caustic chemicals, and radiography equipment

Benefits:

• medical, dental, and vision insurance options 
• Ability to contribute to a 401k  plan
• Paid time off; including sick leave, vacations, and holidays 
• The salary range is $85,000 to $120,000 based on experience.

Conditional Job Offer:  Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the selected candidate will be required to satisfactorily complete a three (3) month probationary period.