VETERINARIAN / ZOO DIRECTOR VETERINARIAN

Definition

Under direction, is responsible for overseeing the operation, administration and maintenance of a New Jersey county or municipally owned zoo; implements zoo policies and procedures; oversees facility and program development; performs other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders of animals.
• Determines nature of disease or injury and treats animals surgically or medically.
• Euthanizes unclaimed animals after a specified period of time.
• Advises on the care and breeding of animals.
• May engage in general practice, treating various animal species or specialize and restrict practice to dogs, cats, and other pets or to a single species such as cattle, horses, or poultry.
• May perform autopsies on sick or injured animals to determine cause of death.
• Investigates, controls, and prevents animal diseases communicable to man through direct contact, insects, food, or contamination of environment.
• Inspects animals intended for human consumption before and after slaughtering.
• Conducts tuberculin tests and draws blood samples for brucellosis tests of livestock.
• Engages and supervises private veterinarians who will conduct tuberculin tests and draw blood samples for brucellosis tests.
• Makes retests of infected herds until they are considered to be tuberculosis free and/or brucellosis free herds.
• Visits farms where tuberculosis or brucellosis infected animals have been detected.
• Determines eligibility of infected animals for state and federal indemnity.
• Appraises and arranges disposal of infected animals.
• Instructs herd owners or managers in cleaning and disinfection of premises and inspects premises for completion of the disinfection process.
• Prepares schedules for testing livestock for tuberculosis and brucellosis in the assigned area.
• Examines livestock and poultry for contagious diseases.
• Visits livestock auction markets to observe animals for symptoms of contagious and infectious diseases.
• Initiates appropriate action when disease is present and enforces applicable laws and regulations concerning livestock auction markets.
• Gives talks on animal disease control at meetings of agricultural and other interested groups.
• Acts as a witness in prosecutions of alleged violations of the law.
• Reviews reports submitted by private veterinary practitioners.
• Drafts correspondence in connection with agency programs.
• Prepares statistical and other reports of veterinary activities containing findings, conclusions, and formal recommendations.
• Maintains essential veterinary and related records and files.
• Trains and makes assignments for field inspection personnel.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Supervises and directs a large workforce of zoo employees.
• Provides direction, guidance and oversight to volunteers.
• Assigns duties to and trains departmental managers in operational zoo procedures.
• Develops and administers broad, effective animal care programs that ensure proper treatment of all zoo animals.
• Oversees comprehensive maintenance programs that ensure proper care of all animals, structures and grounds within the zoo area.
• Carries out continuing programs for the selection of various species of animals that enhance the zoo.
• Coordinates research projects and initiatives for the enhancement of the zoo.
• Maintains liaisons with other zoos and zoo organizations.
• Oversees the operation of specialized facilities on zoo grounds, such as gift shops and eating areas.
• Creates and administers budgets.
• Develops, recommends and administers the zoo's operating budget and rate schedules.
• Develops and maintains positive professional relationships with staff and volunteers.
• Promotes zoo programs and initiatives to schools, municipal and civil groups.
• Prepares strategic long-range plans regarding facility design, program development and budget allocation.
• Conducts staff meetings and briefings to disseminate information, discuss issues and establish goals and priorities.
• Serves as spokesperson for zoo in media and public relations.
• Collaborates with departmental managers, community organizations and schools.
• May be required to travel to represent the zoo at conventions, conferences, and special events.
• Directs the maintenance of essential records and files
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Animal Husbandry or Biology.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience supervising the operation and administration of a zoological park, animal sanctuary or zoo department that is responsible for the care and display of mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians.

License

Possession of a current, valid license as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine issued by the New Jersey State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of and familiarity with veterinary medicine and its practices.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with state and federal laws relating to the detection, control, and eradication of contagious animal disease.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with symptoms of animal diseases and of procedures used in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting disease data.
• Knowledge of corrective measures to be taken when animal diseases are found.
• Knowledge of problems involved in making veterinary inspections of livestock and poultry populations.
• Ability to analyze veterinary problems, prescribe proper treatment, and develop effective work methods.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret basic law and regulations.
• Ability to examine and test animals to determine whether diseases are present and to bring about necessary corrective measures.
• Ability to prepare clear, scientifically sound, accurate, and informative reports of animal disease control matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to secure voluntary cooperation of owners of livestock and poultry to implement disease control programs and to comply with New Jersey laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to control of contagious diseases of livestock and poultry.
• Ability to train and supervise field inspection personnel.
• Ability to examine and test livestock and poultry imported from other states to determine whether contagious diseases are present and to bring about necessary corrective measures.
• Ability to act as a witness in court and to present testimony under oath in cases of violations of the law.
• Ability to prepare technical correspondence in connection with the veterinary program of the agency.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODES: LG- CAH 7/1/97
• This job specification is for local government use only.
• <b>ZOO DIRECTOR</b>
• Knowledge of the operation and administration of a public zoological park and specialized facilities on zoo grounds.
• Knowledge of developing and administering comprehensive operations and maintenance programs for zoological parks.
• Knowledge of the planning, selection, care and display of various bird, animal and reptile species.
• Knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques.
• Ability to write and present speeches and technical papers.
• Ability to analyze problems and develop effective work methods.
• Ability to train, supervise and assign work to lower-level employees.
• Ability to teach and lead groups and activities.
• Ability to administer zoo programs and outreach initiatives.
• Ability to direct the maintenance of essential records and files.
• Ability to maintain cooperative relationships with zoo staff and members of the public.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODE: 07/18/2019
• This job specification is for local government use only.
• <b>DUAL TITLE CODE: </b>

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.