ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON
POSITION: VETERINARY OFFICER (based primarily at ZSL Whipsnade
Zoo)
Job Purpose
1. Reporting to the Head of Veterinary Services (HoVS), the Veterinary Officer
(VO) will assist in the management of services to support the health and
welfare of all animals in ZSL collections, additionally providing technical
support to breeding programmes for endangered species in the UK and abroad.
2. The VO will be actively involved in the teaching of, in particular, the graduate
students enrolled on the MSc Wild Animal Health and Wild Animal Biology,
but also including, for example, undergraduates on placement in the
Department. In collaboration with other members of the Department and the
Zoological Directorate, the VO will be expected to carry out relevant research
and publish peer-reviewed papers, contribute to conferences, teaching and
otherwise present ZSL as a centre of excellence in the veterinary care of zoo
and wild animals.
3. The VO will be expected to contribute to the support of the ZSL portfolio of
international conservation programmes as appropriate.
Specific Duties/Responsibilities
a) Working with colleagues in the Department to ensure year-round veterinary
care for ZSL’s animals at both Living Collections. Ensure appropriate provision,
in line with best, up to date working practices, of care and welfare, veterinary
treatment, nutrition, disease surveillance and preventive medicine of all ZSL
animals, including those being transported and in quarantine. This includes, with
support and guidance from the Department’s Veterinary Pathologist, the carrying
out of gross post mortem examinations of animals held at ZSL (and especially at
Whipsnade Zoo), with recording of findings and onward submission of diagnostic
specimens.
b) Timely production, to a professional standard, of routine reports that allow for
rapid, collective action with members of other departments. This includes not only
topics relating to clinical and post mortem cases but also specific welfare-related
issues to facilitate the auditing of the welfare of animals in ZSL’s care. These
reports form the basis on which ZSL can continuously improve standards of care
and welfare and will input into the Directorate structured welfare-auditing process
with onward reporting to the Animal Welfare Committee. Members of the
Veterinary Department also contribute to the ZSL ethical review process, thus the
VO may be trained as an Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act-recognised Named
Veterinary Surgeon in order to act in an official capacity on any ASPA-designated
work at either site and to sit on ZSL’s Ethics Committee.
c) Input into the planning and design of new animal facilities to ensure the highest
standards of husbandry and care.
d) Assist in the management of compliance with all relevant legislation and ZSL
policies, including Health & Safety, COSHH, firearms and Veterinary Medicines
Act requirements.
e) To participate, with management colleagues from the Zoological Directorate, in
the Whipsnade Zoo Animal Management Group in order to deal proactively and
reactively with issues of concern.
f) Support the training of students involved in such courses that are set up on
behalf of ZSL and the RVC, or other collaborative academic institutions, through
the carrying out of formal teaching and the provision of practical and clinical
training on ZSL sites.
g) To both report and publish appropriate clinical and research material in journals
and textbooks. Assist in continuing and developing a departmental portfolio of
research interests that supports the scientific profile of ZSL.
h) To collaborate with colleagues to develop the skills and experience of the
Veterinary Department and other ZSL staff. Where appropriate, extend this to
teaching and training beyond ZSL thereby continuing to demonstrate ZSL to be a
leader in these fields.
i) Provide veterinary technical input to and participate in, as appropriate,
Conservation Programme and Institute of Zoology projects, with active
participation as deemed feasible.
Essential Requirements
1. Membership of the RCVS.
2. A proven record in the veterinary clinical care of zoo and wild animals across
a wide range of species, with a particular emphasis on the larger species as
held at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
3. A record of relevant publications and presentations.
4. Some experience in both practical training of veterinary techniques and
teaching in an academic environment.
5. Clear evidence, through long-term affiliations and memberships, of a
commitment to both conservation and animal welfare.
6. A proven track record of working within a team.
7. Experience in the use of remote drug-delivery systems such as dart guns.
8. A valid UK driving licence and the ability to travel independently between
ZSL sites.