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The Zoo encompasses a 485 acre campus and is home to more than 5,300 animals with about 1.29 million guests visiting annually. The Zoo is a coordinator of international conservation and breeding programs and is the State’s largest environmental educator with over 400,000 participants annually. The Zoo’s conservation programs protect endangered species and preserve critical ecosystems and its education programs engage audiences at the Zoo, throughout our region, and around the world
Job Details
Working Title: Associate Veterinarian
Job Class: Veterinarian
Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
- Date Posted: 03/08/2023
- Closing Date: 04/07/2023
- Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoo Gardens-Health Trt Pr
- Division/Unit: Biological Programs / Animal CHC Directors Office
- Work Shift/Work Hours: 7:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Days of Work: Monday – Friday
- Travel Required: No
- Salary Range: $32.13 – $47.65 / hourly; $67,087 – $99,493 / annually
- Classified Status: Classified
- Bargaining Unit/Union: 213 – Health Treatment Professional/Unrep
- FLSA Status: Exempt – Professional
- Telework Eligible: No
- Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities : Yes
Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.
The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.
Job Summary
The Minnesota Zoo Animal Health team is growing and we are adding an additional veterinarian position to support our proactive, preventative health focused veterinary program. This posting will be used to fill two (2) Associate Veterinarian positions.
This position provides veterinary medical care for the animal collection at the Minnesota Zoological Gardens. The incumbent must be able to drive fleet vehicles throughout the Zoo campus.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Participate in and establish preventive medicine programs that reduce suffering, morbidity and mortality and promote a healthier animal collection.
- Provide high quality veterinary medicine to all sick and injured animals in the collection ensuring professional standards of care are met.
- Regularly screen and treat for common zoonotic diseases in the animal collection to reduce zoonotic disease transmission for staff and guests.
- Support research to advance Minnesota Zoo-led field and ex situ conservation initiatives and conduct clinical research to improve the practice of veterinary science.
- Keep current on the latest techniques and literature in the field of wildlife and general veterinary medicine to ensure staff meet and exceed the standard of care for the animal collection.
- Fulfill administrative duties necessary for maintaining a comprehensive zoological medicine program, such as those associated with shipping and receiving of animals, enrichment approval, chemical approval, pest control oversite, and others.
- Perform other duties as needed to ensure the care of the animals in the collection, the smooth functioning of the department, and/or the reputation of the Zoo.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Licensed veterinarian in State of Minnesota or the ability to become licensed in the State of Minnesota within 6 months of beginning employment
- One (1) year of professional level work experience as a staff veterinarian or resident in exotic/wild animal medicine at a zoological park, veterinary college affiliated with a zoo, private practice affiliated with a zoo with large diverse exotic/wildlife clientele (or aquarium), OR at least two (2) years of professional level work experience as a veterinarian in private practice which includes exotic/wild animals as a portion of its caseload
- Experience with anesthesia, surgery, radiology, parasite control procedures, nutrition, medical therapy, and post-mortem procedures as applied to an extensive variety of exotic animals
- Computer skills with business applications, such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel , etc., sufficient to enter data and create, edit, save, and send emails, reports, or other documents
- Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing sufficient to provide direction and training to staff and guests
- Ability to maintain a work environment that respects and values differences and diversity
- Valid driver’s license
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with a wide variety of animals including hoof stock, marine mammals and aquatic, avian, reptilian and amphibian species
- Familiarity with regulatory matters, epidemiology of disease, and public health protection
- Certification, or eligibility for certification, in the American College of Zoological Medicine
- Membership in local and national associations of veterinarians
Physical Requirements
- Rabies vaccinated
- Negative TB test
- Ability to work all days of the week and all shifts, as needed
- Ability to frequently bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, reach upward, twist and have good lateral movement
- Ability to perform large amount of walking and walk up and down stairs
- Ability to perform tasks requiring heavy use of arms, wrists, and exertion of upper body, arms and hands to perform duties
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions year round sometimes on uneven terrain
- Ability to work with potentially dangerous exotic and domestic animals
- Ability to provide medical care for the animal collection under all weather conditions
- Ability to work with animals with potential zoonotic diseases
- Ability to work with narcotics for use in animal immobilizations which can be life-threatening to humans
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of the following:
- Employment Verification Check
- Criminal Background Check including fingerprinting
- Driver’s License Check
Application Details
How to Apply
Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers .
If you have questions about the position, contact Elizabeth Lefholz at elizabeth.lefholz@state.mn.us or 952-431-9255 .
To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Elizabeth Lefholz at elizabeth.lefholz@state.mn.us .
Why Work for Us
Diverse Workforce
We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.
A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:
- 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
- 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
- 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
- 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule
Comprehensive Benefits
Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:
- Public pension plan
- Training and professional development
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 11 paid holidays each year
- Paid parental leave
- Low-cost medical and dental coverage
- Prescription drug coverage
- Vision coverage
- Wellness programs and resources
- Employer paid life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability
- Health care spending and savings accounts
- Dependent care spending account
- Tax-deferred compensation
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.