Wildlife Care Center Associate Veterinarian
Job Title: Wildlife Care Center Associate Veterinarian
Department: Wildlife Care Center
Reports to: Wildlife Care Center Manager
Supervises: Seasonal Wildlife Care Center assistants, interns and volunteers
Classification: .5 FTE, Hourly
Compensation: $33.57-38 + Benefits
Benefits Include:
• Medical insurance: 100% payment of premiums for medical and dental insurance, for employees only
• Competitive leave benefits which include two (2) weeks paid vacation during a staff member’s first year of employment, accrual of eight (8) hours paid sick time per month, eight (8) recognized paid holidays as well as 40 hours of flexible holiday time per year, and family leave.
• 401(k) 3% match
• Ability to attend free or subsidized courses at Bird Alliance of Oregon
• Substantial discount at our Nature Store, including optics
• Opportunity to work in one of the most beautiful forests in Oregon
Position Summary
The Wildlife Care Center Veterinarian is responsible for the medical evaluation, treatment, and oversight of care for releasable native wildlife patients. This position reports to the Wildlife Care Center Manager and works in close collaboration with the Senior Veterinarian to ensure high standards of animal welfare, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. In addition to direct clinical duties, the Veterinarian provides medical guidance and training to staff, interns, and volunteers; contributes to development and implementation of medical protocols and standard operating procedures; supports humane euthanasia decisions when appropriate; and assists with public education and professional outreach related to wildlife health and rehabilitation. The Veterinarian partners with internal conservation, education, and communications teams to align with Bird Alliance of Oregon’s broader conservation priorities. A demonstrated commitment to wildlife conservation, ethical animal care, teamwork, and engaging the public in humane coexistence with wildlife is essential to success in this role.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Provide comprehensive medical care for injured and orphaned native wildlife, including:
• Intake, physical examination, diagnosis, and treatment
• Development of case-specific treatment and release plans in collaboration with senior veterinarian and rehabilitation staff
• Maintenance of complete and accurate medical records
• Surgical procedures as appropriate to training and facility capability
• Anesthesia
• Diagnostic procedures, including radiography and laboratory interpretation
• Humane euthanasia of non-repairable, non-releasable, or invasive/non-native wildlife in accordance with ODFW regulations
• Necropsy and basic pathology assessment when appropriate or required
• Ensure compliance with IWRC/NWRA minimum standards while addressing welfare needs of native wildlife
• Provide preventative and emergency medical care to non-releasable educational animals
Training, Supervision, and Professional Development
• Provide direct and indirect medical training to rehabilitation staff and seasonal assistants
• Support supervision of DVM externs, seasonal interns, and volunteers
• Annual continuing education pertaining to exotics or wildlife medicine
• Support Certified Euthanasia Technician (CET) training, application, and recertification for eligible staff
Medical Protocols, Biosecurity, and Compliance
• In collaboration with WCC Leadership Team, periodically review medical treatment protocols, SOPs, and clinical policies
• Manage controlled substances in compliance with DEA and state regulations
• Maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local wildlife rehabilitationand veterinary practice regulations
Research, Safety, and General Duties
• Participate in or support scientific research, data collection, and conservation initiatives that advance wildlife medicine and rehabilitation outcomes
• Promote and maintain a safe, clean, and professional clinical environment consistent with OSHA and organizational safety standards
• Provide accurate information to the public regarding injured, diseased, or orphaned wildlife through direct interaction, support, or media coordination as appropriate
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support Wildlife Care Center operations and mission delivery
Qualifications
• Experience in the medical care of a broad range of species, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians
• Experience working with wild animals, ideally in a wildlife rehabilitation context
• Knowledge, understanding and initiative to learn natural history and its application to animal husbandry and medical care
Certificates, Licenses and Registrations
• Veterinary Medical Degree (DVM or equivalent)
• Current Oregon state veterinary license (or potential to obtain)
• USDA National Veterinary Accreditation (class II) (or potential to obtain)
• Demonstrate collaborative, team-based approach to working with staff and volunteers
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrable commitment to and application of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles
• Proficiency with technology, including electronic medical record-keeping
Working Conditions
• The Wildlife Care Center Veterinarian:
- stands and walks for 90% of the daily shift
- frequently lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds
- bends, squats, and reaches
• Job tasks also require fine motor dexterity and grip strength
• Shifts can be between 5-12 hours per day
• This position requires 20 hours per week
• Work is performed indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions
• Some flexibility of schedule is required, including occasional unscheduled emergency animal care and remote consultation (email, phone) from clinic staff
Cultural Competencies
Bird Alliance of Oregon is committed to maintaining an anti-racist organizational culture. We are committed to training all staff on cultural competency and diversity, equity, and inclusion. We see staff with a high degree of cultural competency or lived experience working with communities of color, people who are disabled, and people from all socioeconomic backgrounds, as vital for all positions in our organization. We seek staff with comfort and curiosity in engaging in conversations around issues of identity, belonging, and systemic oppression.
• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement
Bird Alliance of Oregon strives to cultivate a welcoming and inclusive community with a collective vision of a more just, sustainable, and healthy environment for all people and wildlife. We are committed to advancing equity, embracing diverse perspectives, and working to dismantle systems of oppression in order to build a better future for Bird Alliance of Oregon, our community, and the environmental movement.
We acknowledge the impacts of systemic racism and oppression in our country, and how they show up in the conservation movement, as well as in our own organization. We will continue to examine the ways Bird Alliance of Oregon has benefitted from these structures and work to address past wrongdoings, close gaps in our programming and policies, and build stronger and deeper relationships with diverse communities.
Our commitment to equity and inclusion extends to all facets of our organization, from our board and staff to our membership, volunteers and beyond.
“Together for nature” means that every person has a voice and a meaningful contribution to make in stewarding our natural environment, not only at Bird Alliance of Oregon, but in the greater conservation movement.
Application
Bird Alliance of Oregon does not discriminate on the basis of race; creed; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity; age; religion; marital status; national origin or ancestry; political affiliation; citizenship; lawful immigration status; mental, physical or medical ability; Veteran status; or liability for service in the United States Armed Forces. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment, reflecting the diversity of our community in our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and members; ensuring that our internal culture, business practices, and programs are welcoming and that they advance our equity goals to empower people to make positive changes in their community and environment. All Bird Alliance of Oregon employees will encounter and serve diverse coworkers and community members, and work to advance our diversity strategies. More background on our diversity efforts can be found on our website.