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Veterinary Conservation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SFZOO

Veterinary Technician

San Francisco, CA

$34.80/hr

Veterinary Compensation: $34.80 Per Hour The San Francisco Zoological Society ("Society") is a ... ultimately conserve it. The Society's leadership team is comprised ofa President & Executive ...

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How much do veterinary conservation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for veterinary conservation in the United States is $21.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $24.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is veterinary conservation?

Veterinary conservation is a specialized field that combines veterinary medicine with wildlife conservation efforts. Professionals in this area work to protect and improve the health of wild animal populations, often focusing on endangered species and their habitats. They may be involved in disease monitoring, wildlife rehabilitation, research, and advising conservation strategies. Veterinary conservationists collaborate with ecologists, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to promote biodiversity and ecosystem health. This field is crucial for maintaining the delicate balance of natural environments and ensuring the survival of various species.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Veterinary Conservationist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Veterinary Conservationist, you need a veterinary degree (DVM or equivalent), expertise in wildlife health, and knowledge of conservation biology. Familiarity with field research tools, GPS tracking systems, and wildlife disease surveillance platforms is commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and cultural sensitivity help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and local communities. These skills ensure effective wildlife conservation interventions, promote ecosystem health, and support sustainable biodiversity management.

What is the difference between Veterinary Conservation vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectVeterinary ConservationVeterinary Technician
Required CredentialsVeterinary degree, specialized training in wildlife or conservationAssociate degree in veterinary technology, certification
Work EnvironmentWildlife reserves, conservation projects, zoosVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, labs
Employer & Industry UsageEnvironmental agencies, conservation organizationsVeterinary clinics, animal care facilities

Veterinary Conservation professionals focus on wildlife health and conservation efforts, often working in outdoor or specialized settings. Veterinary Technicians assist in clinical settings with animal care and medical procedures. While both roles require animal health knowledge, Veterinary Conservation emphasizes wildlife and habitat preservation, whereas Veterinary Technicians support clinical veterinary practices.

What is the highest paying conservation job?

In conservation, senior roles such as Conservation Director or Chief Conservation Officer tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding $100,000 annually. These positions typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and advanced knowledge of environmental policies and management strategies.

What can you do with an animal conservation degree?

A veterinary conservation professional can work in wildlife rehabilitation, habitat management, research, and conservation planning. They often collaborate with environmental organizations, use tools like GIS, and may require certifications in wildlife handling or veterinary medicine. Career options include fieldwork, policy development, and education focused on protecting endangered species and ecosystems.

What does a conservation veterinarian do?

A conservation veterinarian specializes in protecting and managing the health of wildlife and endangered species, often working in the field or in conservation organizations. They diagnose and treat illnesses, develop health management plans, and collaborate with researchers and conservationists to support species survival and ecosystem health.

How does a veterinary conservationist typically collaborate with other professionals in wildlife conservation projects?

Veterinary conservationists frequently work as part of interdisciplinary teams that include ecologists, biologists, park rangers, and government officials. Collaboration often involves coordinating fieldwork, sharing health data on wildlife populations, and developing strategies for disease prevention and habitat management. These professionals may also provide training to local staff and assist with community outreach to promote conservation goals. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as the success of conservation initiatives depends on integrating veterinary expertise with broader environmental and policy efforts.

What is the highest paying job in the veterinary field?

In the veterinary field, specialized roles such as veterinary surgeons or veterinary specialists tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding $150,000 annually. These positions typically require advanced certifications, extensive experience, and often involve working in private practices, teaching, or research environments.
More about Veterinary Conservation jobs
What states have the most Veterinary Conservation jobs? States with the most job openings for Veterinary Conservation jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Veterinary Conservation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Veterinary Conservation jobs are:
Veterinary Conservation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Veterinary Conservation job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,144 per year, or $21.7 per hour.
Lead Wildlife Specialist (Hoof stock)

Lead Wildlife Specialist (Hoof stock)

White Oak Conservation

Yulee, FL

$13.50 - $17.75/hr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Lead Wildlife Specialist
Department: Wildlife
Reports To: Animal Collections Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Effective Date: September 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 22,000 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. 
 
White Oak Mission:
Saving endangered wildlife and habitats through sustainable populations, expanding education initiatives, and responsible land stewardship.
 
Job Summary:
The Lead Wildlife Specialist functions as the hands-on leader of animal husbandry, delivering exceptional and safe care to advance White Oak’s conservation programs. This position oversees and leads  the care of White Oak animals. The Lead Wildlife Specialist works with the collections manager and veterinary team to implement best practices and achieve the goals of the assigned animal team. This position contributes directly to the White Oak Conservation mission by supporting animal husbandry programs.
 
Essential Duties:
o Oversees and leads the daily care of the animals in designated area, to include feeding, cleaning, medicating, handling, and record keeping activities.
o Oversees and leads hand rearing, animal transfers, introductions, operant conditioning, and area research projects.
o Coordinates with veterinary team to conduct animal care procedures and medical treatments.
o Completes requisitions and purchase requests for all supplies and animal feed needed in designated area.
o Oversees, leads, and performs animal care facilities maintenance duties, including mowing, weed-eating, pressure washing, dirt and substrate work, gate adjustments, lock lubrication, limb pick up, and other repairs. 
o Conducts prep work, obtains permits, and assists with physical transport of animals.
o Oversees and leads team cleanliness and organization of work and break areas, food storage, food prep, vehicles, and equipment.
o Maintains records and reports related to the assigned animal collection.
o Participates with research project reviews and approved project implementation.
o Assists Collection Managers in creating protocols, transfer plans, and other preparations.
o Assists  Collection Managers with design and implementation of animal management and conservation breeding plans.
o Oversees and leads animal welfare assessment program for the area animals.
o Participates in the design of habitats and animal care facilities.
o Works with Support Services team and serves as liaison with contractors, as needed.
o Conducts routine meetings with individual staff members and the team.
o Participates in the recruitment and hiring of new personnel for assigned area.
o Informs and participates in employee evaluations with Collection Managers.
o Oversees and leads the highest level of safety in the workplace through staff training and implementation of safety protocols and procedures.
o Participates in the emergency response.
o Operates heavy equipment (skid steer, backhoe, tractor, chainsaw, etc.) to perform grounds/facility maintenance. 
o Oversees and leads area intern training including animal husbandry and management, record keeping, research, conservation, and education projects.
o Oversees, facilitates, and participates in high level guest experiences in the assigned animal area. 
 
The above cited duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to the job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that an incumbent may be expected or asked to perform.
 
Education and Work Experience Requirements:  
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of five years of related wildlife animal care experience in a zoo or animal sanctuary.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience in an AZA accredited/certified facility preferred.
• Experience working with wildlife animals in large acreage habitats is preferred. 
• Demonstrated experience working with veterinarians and a working knowledge of common medical procedures.
• Experience with animal management plans, policies and tools, animal escape and recapture, and collection planning.
• Experience with diverse large animal management techniques including hands-on animal restraint, chemical restraint, and mechanical restraint. 
• Ability to obtain Florida interstate transport permit as part of White Oak licensing and permitting. 
 
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
• Demonstrated technical and practical knowledge of the care and maintenance of wildlife animal habitats. 
• Good leadership skills.
• Engagement and genuine alignment with the mission, values, and vision of White Oak.
• Personal interest in, and strong commitment to, conservation, animal care and animal health.
• Capacity to work effectively with, and collaborate across, multiple organizational teams.
• Ability to lead a small team.
• Self-motivated and self-directed.
• Excellent problem resolution skills.
• Outstanding communication and active listening skills.
• Motivational and encouraging.
• Capable and knowledgeable decision making, shows good judgement.
• Sets positive example, good conduct with safety, animal care, and communications.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• High attention to detail and superior quality of work.
• Superior organizational skills.
• Sensitive to individual differences and supportive of all team members.
• Resilient, show initiative, and demonstrate a healthy commitment to going above and beyond.
• Able to focus on team success and define success collaboratively versus individually.
• Able to work with colleagues in mind, be a good listener, and be willing to seek information and assistance when necessary.
 
Physical Requirements, Hazards, and Special Working Conditions:
• Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push, pull, carry, or otherwise move objects.
• Climb a 5-foot ladder.
• Work outdoors in all conditions, including frequent high temperature and humidity.
• Exposure to fumes, odors, dust, moving mechanical parts and vehicles.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule which includes evenings, weekends, and holidays as well as during unforeseen emergency situations.
 
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. 
Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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