Job Description

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is an international, nonprofit conservation organization with two front doors: the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. We integrate wildlife health and care, science, and education to develop sustainable conservation solutions.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION
The Veterinary Scientist conducts independent and collaborative veterinary research in a specialized area of veterinary medicine to foster better health outcomes for wildlife in our care, support relevant Conservation Hub projects and programs, and contribute to the wildlife health and conservation community through publication, presentations, and continuing education. This position reports to a Senior Veterinary Scientist or Associate Director or Director level in Disease Investigations.

WHAT YOU WILL DO
• Conducts and supports applied veterinary health and conservation research. Uses veterinary and research expertise to bolster wildlife health initiatives focused on disease investigations, population medicine, and preventative care. Informs protocols and practices to improve care and management of animals across the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and SDZWA’s field programs. Collaborates with scientific colleagues within and outside the organization to support recovery of endangered and threatened species.
• Support and manage initiatives aimed at improving aspects of wildlife health outcomes (prevention, diagnosis, clinical management) through adaptive management strategies within a Conservation Standards framework.
• Publishes and disseminates results of wildlife health research and investigations in peer-reviewed scientific journals, conferences, or other relevant outlets; prepares and delivers internal presentations at all-staff or department meetings, or as needed for various internal and external stakeholders.
• Responsible for project-staff oversight, including supervision of non-employee team members and mentorship of research associates, students, fellows, graduate students and post-doctoral associates.
• While prioritizing initiatives that align with SDZWA’s mission, assists with grant writing and working with Philanthropy team on securing external funding. Contributing to development, tracking, and forecasting of project-level budgets.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The Disease Investigations (DI) Department (Wildlife Health, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) is looking for a veterinary scientist for a collaborative role at the intersection of wildlife health, conservation, and partnership. They will work as an integrated member of a team supporting pathology, molecular diagnostics, and research, with a primary focus on joint initiatives with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Experience in areas of infectious disease or environmental toxicology preferred. The candidate will engage with DI, other SDZWA Conservation Science groups, and with an emerging statewide Wildlife Health Cooperative to advance wildlife health and disease surveillance capacity across state agencies, academic institutions, and NGOs.
This position will primarily be based at the Beckman Center in Escondido, with occasional shifts at the Zoo in San Diego.

JOB EXPERIENCE
• Minimum 1 year of experience in translating research to understand and improve wildlife health outcomes required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience conducting wildlife health focused research in a veterinary medicine specialty required.
• Experience with science communication, interpretation of scientific concepts, and scholarly collaboration in veterinary medical fields.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
• Ph.D. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, or equivalent required.
• A Ph.D.in biological sciences with a focus in areas such veterinary medicine, infectious disease, toxicology, epidemiology, bioinformatics, or disease ecology is required.
• Diplomate status or board certification in a professional college desired (if applicable).
• Veterinary licensure in the US, preferably California, may be required for some assignments.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
• Strong working knowledge of veterinary medicine, veterinary research, biological and life science.
• Demonstrated expertise in a wildlife health discipline.
• Strong working knowledge of governmental regulations applicable to animal disease, pathogens, research, hazardous materials, and safety.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and revise manuscripts for peer-reviewed scientific publications.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with veterinary and non-veterinary teams and in a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Effective written and oral communication skills for scientific, medical, and general audiences.
• Ability to operate specialized computer software and data analysis tools relevant to the discipline.
• Willingness to engage in continued learning and stay informed on current developments in wildlife health research.

SOME OF THE REWARDS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER
• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Free Parking at the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program

IMPORTANT DETAILS
• Location: Escondido, CA
• Position Type: Salaried Full-Time Exempt 1 Year Temporary Position
• Salary Range: $130,421 to $146,724

About The Salary Ranges
The posted salary range represents the full compensation potential for this role over time. Initial hiring offers are typically made within the lower to mid portion of the range and are based on a combination of relevant experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and organizational considerations. Placement near the top of the range is generally reserved for individuals who demonstrate sustained performance, growth, and expanded responsibilities in the role over time.
Fraudulent Recruiting
Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.
If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org. If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately.
At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we celebrate our differences and foster a culture of belonging. Diversity strengthens our employees, enriches our guests’ experiences, deepens our connection to our community, and supports the wildlife we serve.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org and provide the job title and location to which you are applying.
As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. We are not offering sponsorship for this position at this time.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.