City of El Paso
Zoo Veterinarian
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and two (2) years of professional veterinary experience in zoo, exotic, or wild animal medicine and surgery. Experience may include a veterinary internship or residency in zoological, exotic, or wildlife medicine.
Licenses and Certificates: Valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License or equivalent from another state by time of appointment. Licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Texas by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners prior to appointment or licensed in another state. If licensed in another state, must obtain a Texas License within 30 days of appointment. Federal Controlled Substances Registration, and USDA Accreditation within 45 days of appointment.
General Purpose
Under general direction, supervise and provide routine health care and medical treatment of zoo animals. Participate in animal management and safety decisions.
Typical Duties
Render veterinary care and treatment to zoo animals. Involves: Routine and emergency medical care. Plan, implement, and administer preventive medicine programs. Perform surgery and post-operative care. Administer anesthesia and direct physical restraint of animals to ensure safety and minimize risk to staff and animals. Conduct postmortem examinations. Oversee vaccination, parasite control, bio-safety, quarantine, and other protocols. Direct laboratory preparation of sample tissues for disease identification and prevention. Maintain detailed records for veterinary care including drug logs. Monitor and recommend changes to animal diets, nutritional standards, and programs. Maintain detailed records of veterinary care including controlled drug logs.
Conduct specialized veterinary tasks. Involves: Participate in developing behavioral enrichment, training, and reproduction programs for animals. Perform epidemiological investigations. Identify and work to resolve animal welfare issues. Implement and enforce departmental animal health and disease control protocols and procedures. Review facilities and procedures to ensure quality and recommend animal housing, care, restraint systems, and exhibit changes. Ensure compliance with regulatory agencies, animal health and welfare regulations, and standards including the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), American Zoological Association (AZA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Texas Parks and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Act, National Marine Fisheries Service, Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), US Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Texas Environmental Quality Control Commission and the Animal Welfare Act. Participate in the maintenance and control of narcotics and dangerous drugs, animal identification, records, and inventory systems.
Supervise assigned staff. Involves: Schedule, assign, instruct, guide, and check work. Appraise employee performance and review evaluation reports of subordinate supervisors. Provide for training and development. Enforce personnel rules and regulations, standards of conduct, work attendance, and safe working practices firmly and impartially. Counsel, motivate, and maintain harmony. Interview applicants and recommend hiring, termination, transfers, discipline, or other employee status changes.
Perform related professional and incidental duties as required. Involves: Substitute, if assigned, for immediate supervisor or coworkers during temporary absences, as qualified, by performing specific duties and responsibilities essential to maintaining the continuity of operations. Attend conferences and serve on Ad Hoc Committees. May serve as chairperson for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Compile data, generate reports, and maintain records and files.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Application of comprehensive knowledge of veterinary science principles, practices, and techniques.
- Application of comprehensive knowledge of animal care, medical and surgical treatment, restraint, and diseases, including exotic animals.
- Application of comprehensive knowledge of techniques used in the collection of specimens and their testing.
- Application of considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing animal care, including epidemiological response techniques.
- Application of good knowledge of animal species, nutrition, habitats, behaviors, and reproduction.
- Ability to identify animal health problems and appropriate treatments, including exotic animals.
- Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing to communicate and document animal care and provide input to animal management.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, officials, regulatory agencies, and the public.
- Skill in the safe operation and care of a motor vehicle, personal computer, generic business productivity software, and veterinary equipment, including remote injection, radiography, endoscopes, monitoring and anesthetic resources, handling and restraining domestic and exotic animals.
Other Job Characteristics
- Works around a variety of animal species with the potential for physical harm from animal bites, kicks, etc.
- Occasional heavy lifting of supplies (up to 50 lbs.), surgical instruments, etc.
- Exposure to infectious diseases from contact with exotic or domestic animals including bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral pathogens.
- Exposure to extreme weather conditions during animal emergencies.
- Exposure to hazardous chemicals including anesthetic gases, pesticides, and toxic and lethal drugs.
- Immunizations and PPD (TB) skin test are required as a condition of employment unless waived for religious or medical reasons.
Classification Status
(Ord. 016352 04/25/06), (HR 10/14/08), (CC 07/29/12), (HR 03/08/17), (HR 11/10/17), (HR 06/09/22), (HR 05/22/22), (HR 09/11/22), (HR 03/12/23), (HR 09/10/23), (HR 04/08/24), (HR 09/08/24), (HR 10/11/24).
As provided under Classification and Compensation Ordinance 8064, Section 2.2., General purpose and typical duties summarized are only illustrative of work customarily assigned and performed. Typical requirements shown may be more specifically defined by additional job analysis.
Experience Required
Two (2) years of professional veterinary experience in zoo, exotic, or wild animal medicine and surgery. Experience may include a veterinary internship or residency in zoological, exotic, or wildlife medicine.
Further Comments
Learn more about the El Paso Zoo at https://www.elpasozoo.org/ and apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/elpaso
Salary
$86,720.00 - $150,270.00 Annually
How to Apply
Apply at the City of El Paso website, Job Opportunities | Sorted by Job Title ascending | City of El Paso Careers (governmentjobs.com)
City of El Paso
300 N Campbell St
El Paso, TX 79901
Phone: 915-212-0000
Visit our website
