Job Description
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Organizational Mission and History
Save
the Chimps operates the largest privately funded chimpanzee sanctuary
in the world. Located on 153 acres on the Treasure Coast of Florida, the
Sanctuary provides lifetime care and enrichment for chimpanzees rescued
from research laboratories, entertainment, and the pet trade.
Save
the Chimps was established in 1997 and is home to approximately 230
chimpanzees. The work of the organization is accomplished by a nonprofit
board of directors, more than 60 full-time employed staff, and a
number of community volunteers.
Position Overview
The Associate Veterinarian will report to the Director of Veterinary Services
and join an experienced team consisting of one additional veterinarian,
two certified veterinary technicians, and one pharmacy assistant, to
ensure the chimpanzees receive the highest quality of medical care. The
candidate will provide full time veterinary care for sanctuary chimpanzees – this will include surgical procedures, diagnostics, preventative medicine, and necropsies.
The
following is a list of the essential functions of this position. This
list is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within the
position description but is not limited to:
Essential Job Functions
• Provide full time veterinary care for the chimpanzees.
• Oversee veterinary technical staff, ensuring proper care is given to the chimpanzees at all times.
• Provide daily visual health monitoring of sick or injured chimpanzees.
• Maintain proficiency in anesthesia, anesthetic monitoring and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Prescribe, dose and approve medications for individual health needs.
• Perform and interpret diagnostic procedures including but not limited to radiographs, laboratory tests and physical exams.
• Assist
or perform surgical procedures, including but not limited to wound
care, dental care and surgeries directly benefitting the chimpanzee.
• Provide emergency medical care as needed.
• Share after-hour calls with other staff veterinarians.
• Research primate diseases and cutting-edge treatments.
• Maintain proper medical records for each chimpanzee.
• Possess full knowledge of and provide training for all medical equipment available.
• Educate all STC staff on veterinary topics including emergency procedures, quarantine and zoonoses.
• Train veterinary assistants and mentor veterinary externs.
• Participate on Sanctuary Safety Committee, serve as primary responder on all types of codes.
• Possess knowledge of escape procedures and serve as RTS (Response Team Supervisor).
• Become proficient in the use and maintenance of the darting equipment.
• Perform euthanasia and necropsies as needed.
• Maintain active Florida state veterinary license.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Education and Work Experience
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an accredited university.
• Required: Minimum of 3-5 years in full-time primate veterinary care preferred, ideally with great apes.
• Experience with other large exotic species may be considered.
• Florida state veterinary license must be obtained.
• USDA accreditation, Category II.
Physical Requirements
The
physical demands described here are representative of those that must
be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of
this job.
• While
performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally
required to stand; stand for long periods of time; walk; sit; use hands
to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands
and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Able to drive and operate a golf cart or other vehicles for use on sanctuary property.
• Must be able to run and swim in the face of danger
Environmental Requirements
• Tasks are regularly performed with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations,
animals/wildlife. Employees must not object to unpleasant chimpanzee
behaviors including spitting of water or saliva, throwing of feces, food
or other waste, and chimpanzee displays that may include banging,
kicking of the fencing, and loud screams or hooting.
• Work outside in inclement weather if needed.
Save the Chimps is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.
To Apply
Please submit a CV, cover letter and at least two professional references to: