Associate Veterinarian

Save the Chimps

Associate Veterinarian

Organizational Overview

Save the Chimps (STC) operates one of the largest chimpanzee sanctuaries in the world. Located on 150 acres on the Treasure Coast of Florida, the Sanctuary provides high quality clinical and lifetime care and enrichment for over 220 chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, the U.S. Air Force, the entertainment industry, and the pet trade. The work of the organization is accomplished by a team of over 80 full-time dedicated employees, an impassioned community of volunteers, and a committed, accomplished board of directors.

Job Summary

The Associate Veterinarian will join an experienced team consisting of the Director of Veterinary Services, other Associate Veterinarian(s), a Managing Certified Veterinary Technician, and Veterinary Technicians. Together, the team will ensure the chimpanzees receive the highest quality of healthcare, including medical and surgical care, nutrition, well-being care, diagnostics and necropsies.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Associate Veterinarian will report to the Director of Veterinary Services. The candidate will not have supervisory responsibilities but will act in an advisory capacity to the members of the technical team.

Essential Functions

• Provide full-time veterinary care for the chimpanzees.

• Interface with team members to ensure proper care is given to the chimpanzee at all times.

• Provide daily visual health monitoring of sick or injured chimpanzees.

• Maintain USDA, FFWCC, DEA and GFAS (and other relevant accrediting bodies) standards and regulations.

• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations related to animal care, transport and treatment, and the handling of controlled substances.

• Assist with the review and implementation of well-being programs for the sanctuary chimpanzees.

• Maintain proficiency in anesthesia, anesthetic monitoring and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

• Prescribe medications for individual health needs.

• Perform and interpret diagnostic procedures, including but not limited, to radiography, ultrasound, laboratory tests and physical exams.

• Assist in maintaining and expanding an active collegial network and consulting with network members as needed.

• Assist with or perform surgical procedures.

• Provide emergency medical care as needed.

• Share after-hour calls with other staff veterinarians.

• Research primate diseases and cutting-edge treatments for the direct benefit of individual chimpanzees or the species.

• Maintain proper medical records for each chimpanzee utilizing ZIMS medical records program.

• Possess full knowledge of and provide training on all medical equipment available.

• Assist in development of standards of care and standard operating procedures.

• Assist with education of all sanctuary staff on veterinary topics, including emergency procedures, quarantine and zoonoses.

• Assist in training veterinary assistants and mentoring veterinary externs.

• Participate on Sanctuary Safety Committee as needed.

• Serve as STAT Supervisor as needed.

• Possess knowledge of escape procedures and serve as medical officer for Code Red or Code Water as needed.

• Become proficient in the use and maintenance of darting equipment.

• Evaluate quality of life, perform euthanasia and necropsies.

• Maintain active Florida state veterinary license and USDA Category II Accreditation.

• Prepare wildlife for rabies examination in the event of chimpanzee exposure.

• Assist in informing the public about the sanctuary's mission and how the veterinary department contributes to completing the mission.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education, Work Experience, Licensure

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an AVMA-accredited university.

• Required: Minimum 5 years in full-time veterinary care; experience with great apes is preferred.

• Experience with other large exotic species may be considered, especially Class I.

• Florida state veterinary license must be obtained within 60 days of employment.

Other requirements and working conditions

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to 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 singly and team-lift up to 50 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 golf cart or other vehicles for use on sanctuary property.

• Must be able to run and swim in the face of danger.

• Must be able to pass a pre-hire drug screen.

• STC follows and adheres to all local, state and federal regulations and CDC recommendations for COVID infection control and other public health mandates. STC currently requires all employees to be vaccinated for COVID, Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus, annual Flu and have an annual negative TB test.

• Employees must be comfortable and compliant with sanctuary protocols which may include: remote or in-person attendance, working in proximity to both humans and chimpanzees, and wearing of PPE, among other best practices in public health management.

• 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 and zoonotic diseases.

• Employees must not object to unpleasant chimpanzee behaviors which include spitting of water or saliva, throwing of feces, food or other waste, and chimpanzee displays that may include banging, kicking of the mesh barrier, and loud screams or hooting.

• This position will involve working outdoors in Florida, often in hot and humid conditions and at times in inclement weather.

• Hours worked will include one weekend day and may include nights and holidays.

Save the Chimps is an equal opportunity employer and is consistent in the treatment of all applicants and employees 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.

How to Apply

Please send resume and cover letter to hr@savethechimps.org

Save the Chimps

PO BOX 12220

Fort Pierce, FL 34979-2220