Stranding and Rehab Associate Veterinarian

Position Title: CWN Associate Veterinarian

Department: Conservation

Reports To: Director of Sustainability and Coastal Conservation

Location: Coastal Wildlife Network

General Summary:

The Coastal Wildlife Network (CWN) Associate Veterinarian will provide veterinary services for stranded marine mammals and sea turtles in Louisiana. This position will provide clinical care to stranded dolphins, whales, manatees, and sea turtles. The position will also lead necropsies on deceased marine mammals and sea turtles, and participate in research. The position is based in New Orleans, LA, but will respond to strandings throughout the state. During months where caseload is not as heavy, the CWN Associate Veterinarian will support other Audubon Nature Institute facilities including Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, and Freeport McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center. The CWN Associate Veterinarian serves as an Audubon liaison, along with the CWN Stranding Coordinator, for local, regional, and federal partners, which include, but are not limited to, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA NMFS), and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

To deliver on the Audubon mission, the CWN Associate Veterinarian will:

Enhance the care and survival of wildlife through research and conservation.

• Provide veterinary care to sea turtles, dolphins, whales, and manatees that strand in Louisiana in both field stranding responses and rehabilitation.

• Work in a cooperative, supportive, and professional manner with all Audubon animal care staff when needed,

including, but not limited to, providing veterinary coverage and expertise support in collaboration at all Audubon facilities.

• Develop and oversee the medical care and health management of rehab cetaceans, manatees, and sea turtles for the Coastal Wildlife Network in accordance with standards set forth by Audubon, USDA, NOAA NMFS, USFWS, and AAZV. This medical care and health management includes, but is not limited to: diagnostic procedures (physical exams, phlebotomy, cytology, ultrasound, and radiography), treatment, preventative medicine, quarantine, periodic exams, proactive stress reduction, and general disease observation and containment; necropsy; periodic review of diet and husbandry practices to ensure proper nutrition, animal welfare, and best practices; and marine animal stranding response, triage, and rehabilitation.

• Manage and maintain complete and secure medical records consistent with professional standards through Audubon-approved software, such as ZIMS, in a timely manner.

• Maintain all animal health care areas to or above industry standards, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance, organization, equipment care and maintenance, and hygiene.

• Develop and maintain a communication system that ensures consistent animal health care between veterinary site visits.

• Develop and maintain veterinary protocols and treatment plans.

• Lead marine mammal and sea turtle necropsies to determine a cause of death and write comprehensive necropsy reports.

• Conduct routine rounds that ensure quality animal care, welfare best practices, timely response to animal health care and welfare issues, and support staff growth through training.

• Participate in incidental, emergency, and planned activities and networking support for local, regional, and federal partners related to marine mammal and sea turtle strandings and field conservation.

• Participate in continuing education seminars and workshops as necessary to maintain appropriate standards of care and to sustain a license to practice in the state of Louisiana.

• Accept euthanasia as an approved method of animal management.

• Develop research projects and publish findings.

• Endeavor to analyze and publish clinical and necropsy data in reputable journals.

• Participate in local, regional, and international conservation projects in support of Audubon’s mission statement.

• Participate in the supervision, training, and evaluation of resident, intern, preceptors, and professional colleagues as needed.

• Work in conjunction with Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine to develop and provide course materials, practical sessions, and lectures pertaining to zoological and stranding response medicine.

• Perform other tasks and duties to support general operations for both stranding response and rehabilitation, as needed.

Provide a guest experience of outstanding quality.

• Candidate must maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, including proper uniform standards, and always comply with Audubon standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient operations.

• Candidate must have the ability to establish and maintain effective, efficient, and cooperative relationships with employees, senior administration, vendors, and customers.

• Candidate must be able to work effectively with minimal supervision and approach all encounters with employees in a friendly, service-oriented manner.

• Enthusiastically participate in providing tours of the animal care facilities as necessary.

• Candidate may serve as Audubon spokesman and must be comfortable with public speaking and address all forms of media.

Operate a financially self-sufficient collection of museums and parks

• Endeavor to operate within the annual operating budgets.

• Assist with preparation and monitoring of annual budgets.

• Collaborate and support active pursuit of grants that support the Audubon mission.

The above listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. They do not exclude other duties as assigned.

Supervision: This position is a direct report to the Director of Sustainability and Coastal Conservation. This position manages the health management corps and duties of the Coastal Wildlife Network. This position supervises, manages, and coordinates veterinary technician(s) in all facets of animal health management for the facility sites under its purview. This position will work collaboratively with the CWN Stranding Coordinator and other CWN staff members.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience in treating non-domestic animals, preferably at least 1 year in a public aquarium or stranding response setting.

• Sea turtle and marine mammal experience and competency required.

• Must be comfortable in and near water, field experience a plus.

Education:

• Graduate of an established program in veterinary medicine.

Licensure/Certification:

• Must have or obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in Louisiana.

• Board certification in the American College of Zoological Medicine (or eligibility) is preferred.

• Must maintain a valid Louisiana driver’s license.

• Negative TB test required.

• Current Rabies series, Tetanus, COVID, and Hepatitis B vaccinations.

Software Requirements:

• Proficiency in data management, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel.

• Experience with applications in animal record keeping software such as ZIMS, preferred.

Machinery/Tools/Equipment Requirements:

• Must have proficiency with veterinary medical equipment including but not limited to radiology, anesthesia, and patient monitoring machines, ophthalmoscopes, and microscopes, including in aquatic applications.

• Must have experience using electronic recordkeeping and communication devices including but not limited to mobile devices, personal computers and tablets, fax, scanner, phone, and copy machine.

• Experience with exotic and aquatic animal restraint required.

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting or standing, bending, stooping, and per OSHA regulations: Heavy work involving lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Constant adequate range of motion and mobility required.

• Regular near acuity with clarity of vision at 20 inches or less required.

• Typical ability to collect and analyze numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions and ability to determine the time, place and sequence of operations or actions required.

• Regular talking and the ability to express and exchange ideas by means of language expected.

• Regular hearing and the ability to perceive the nature of sounds.

• Constant ability to read, record, or type data quickly and accurately required.

• Ability to swim.

Environmental/Working Conditions:

• Evening, weekend, holiday work may be required.

• Willingness to work irregular hours and be available based on special needs/circumstances on a 24-hour basis.

• Working long hours between breaks or meals required.

• Willingness to serve on the Audubon Hurricane Team if necessary.

• Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner required.

• May be exposed to high, medium, or low noise intensity.

• Risk periodic exposure to fairly predictable and controllable hazards associated with wild animals and zoonotic diseases.

• Constant contact with co-workers required.

• Able to work as a member of a team as well as individually with minimal supervision.

• Ability to act with discretion and good judgment.

• Affinity for animals required.

• Exposure to fluctuations in temperatures required.

• Exposure to outdoor conditions in inclement weather required.

• Maintain off-exhibit areas in a clean, organized, and safe fashion.

• Ability to compose animal and exhibit information for publication in the following: Audubon’s website, AZA’s website and publications, other publications.

• Must be able to work with potentially hazardous chemicals associated with analysis and treatment of exhibits.

• Must be willing and able to handle raw seafood.

To deliver on the Audubon service promise, the CWN Associate Veterinarian will:

Welcome

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• Make eye contact with every customer encounter, smile at every person, offer friendly phrases and greetings.

• Wear identification badge.

• Walk individual to destination instead of pointing; assist people who appear confused.

• Assume ownership of potential safety hazards (wipe-up spill, pick up trash). Always have the camera-ready look.

Share

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• Maintain positive attitude, pleasant tone of voice (remember it is not what you say, but how you say it).

• Network and engage in industry relationships that promote Audubon and animal husbandry best practices.

• Coach coworkers on service expectations.

• Utilize the power of teamwork to give excellent service.

• Know when to involve management.

Inspire

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• Know the answers to questions or seek out the answers.

• Utilize proper phone etiquette (answer phone within three rings, smile before answering call, ask for permission and wait for response before placing caller on hold).

• Ensure work area is free of food, drink, socialization, and personal business.

• Follow Dress Code Policy on clothing and grooming.

• Manage unpleasant concerns or issues in a professional and courteous manner that supports a positive public image and encourages team morale and respect.