Veterinarian

Job DescriptionJOB POSTING
Veterinarian (temporary position)

Posted: Open to internal and external applicants

Reports to: Senior veterinarian

Status: Part-time, hourly, temporary position

Hours of work: 4-8 hours for 2-3 days a week

Date needed: October 1st

Posting expires: Open until filled

Position description:

The Seattle Aquarium is seeking a relief veterinarian to join the Life Sciences team. This position is responsible for providing veterinary services to the Seattle Aquarium's animal population, supporting the senior veterinarian during veterinary procedures and providing on-site coverage when the senior veterinarian is away from the Aquarium. The position will care for sea otters, harbor seals, northern fur seals, North American river otters, alcids and shorebirds, fish and invertebrates, and sea turtles in rehabilitation.

Essential functions:

• Provide part-time veterinary services to the Seattle Aquarium, primarily on site, and occasionally on call.
• Provide high-quality veterinary care support for the Aquarium's animal population, including preventative, routine and emergency case management.
• Maintain accurate and timely records following institutional and regulatory guidelines.
• Perform necropsy examinations with ancillary diagnostics.
• Correctly process biological samples for shipping to outside laboratories.
• Communicate with and work closely with curatorial and animal care staff.
• Comply with state and federal regulations-including for controlled substances, prescription drugs, biohazardous waste and work safety.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required skills and abilities:

• A team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work independently.
• Organizational skills, self-motivation and strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with various computer software products, such as MS Word and Excel, and medical records systems.
• Ability to swim.
• Coordination and dexterity necessary to ascend and descend rocky exhibits with animals in the habitat.
• Specific vision abilities including, but not limited to, close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, contrast and the ability to adjust focus.

Experience, education and certifications:

We will consider various combinations of relevant experience and education in order to meet minimum requirements.

• A doctorate in veterinary medicine from an American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited school is required.
• A Washington veterinary license is required.
• A valid Drug Enforcement Administration license is required.
• Must have or be able to obtain a Washington state driver's license.
• A minimum of three to five years of experience as a full-time veterinarian is required.
• A minimum of two years of aquarium, exotics, zoo or equivalent experience is preferred, ideally at an Association of Zoos & Aquariums-accredited facility.

Working conditions:

• Requires handling, working with or exposure to large, potentially dangerous animals, animal diseases, animal feces and potentially hazardous chemicals.
• Occasionally required to lift more than 30 pounds.
• Must be able to be on their feet six or more hours a day and be active through all physical motions.
• Required to work outdoors year-round, near water, on wet and slippery surfaces and at heights.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; 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.

Salary and benefits:

$56.00 - $75.00/hour; temporary staff are not eligible for benefits but accrue paid sick time and are paid an additional $0.75/hour to assist with transportation costs.

How to apply:

The Seattle Aquarium is a progressive, equal opportunity employer that values a diverse workforce. One of our core values is fostering an inclusive community, and we want our staff to reflect our community. To that end, we encourage diverse candidates to apply, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color applicants and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

All candidates are encouraged to apply by uploading a résumé and one-page letter detailing interest and relevant experience in our online application.

SeattleAquarium.org/careers

Please let us know if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this job by emailing us at jobs@seattleaquarium.org.

About the organization:

The Seattle Aquarium is a respected authority on Puget Sound, the Salish Sea and the world's one ocean. Our passionate staff increases awareness and drives the change needed to preserve and protect our marine environment through a variety of channels, including a compelling habitat experience and engaging daytime and evening events, conservation education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds, community outreach to marginalized populations, research that advances understanding of animals in our care and their counterparts in the wild, advocacy and policy work, an award-winning volunteer program; strong and consistent marketing efforts and more.

We're noted for our collaborative, communicative and team-oriented working environment. Our values, developed in conjunction with our staff, include commitments to adopting and promoting sustainable practices, creating awe-inspiring experiences, constantly learning and improving, fostering an inclusive community; maintaining scientific credibility through evidence-based practices, and honoring our unique place by using our location and history as a lens for larger understanding.

Proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, we're the eighth-largest aquarium in the U.S. by attendance, and we welcome over 850,000 people through our front doors each year. Guided by our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment , we've developed a master plan to substantially increase in size and impact by opening a new habitat building, the Ocean Pavilion. Our current annual budget is $20 million.

*Regarding COVID-19:

Open daily, the Aquarium prioritizes health and safety for our staff and visitors, embracing science to guide our operations. We maintain high standards of cleanliness and all high-touch surfaces (like windows, railings, restrooms and elevators) are continuously cleaned.

Please note, all Aquarium staff and volunteers must provide proof of vaccination or approved medical or religious exemption by date of hire. If you have questions about this policy or for information regarding the exemption process, please contact the Human Resources department at jobs@seattleaquarium.org.

Timeline:

We anticipate the following recruiting schedule for those candidates who are selected for consideration. The following dates are preliminary and subject to change. We will work with candidates to set interviews that work for all involved. If hired, relocation assistance is not available.

 

• Priority given to applications received by September 1
• Interviews, using Zoom, or in person by October 1
• Start date: November 1, ideally