Job Title: Wildlife Veterinarian
Division: Animal Care/Marine Mammal
Reports To: Director of Animal Care
FLSA Status: Seasonal
2026 Season: May-October
Salary Range: $55,000 – $60,000 for the 6-month seasonal term (equivalent to $110,000 – $120,000 annualized)
Prepared Date: March 2026
Summary:The Wildlife Veterinarian is responsible for ensuring that all animals at CWC receive adequate and appropriate care, as set by CWC management.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Performs examinations, procedures, and creates treatment plans for incoming patients
- Performs intake exams, diagnostics, treatments for all species cared for at CWC
- Assists Director of Animal Care in assessing and caring for the more sensitive species while they are undergoing intensive care (fawns, coyotes, bobcats, badgers, black bears, etc.)
- Administers medical treatments according to CWC policies
- Performs surgical procedures according to CWC guidelines
- Maintains and updates patient charts and records
- Assists Director of Animal Care with overseeing and supporting all animal care/marine mammal technicians to ensure that they are adhering to CWC’s medical policies, procedures, guidelines, and standards
- Assists Director of Animal Care with training staff, volunteers, interns, and externs
- Develops clear, comprehensive care plans for patients, including guidance on post-surgical recovery, nutrition, and physical therapy when appropriate
- Evaluates each case to determine when treatment is appropriate and feasible, and when humane euthanasia is the most compassionate option.
- Utilizes diagnostic equipment, including digital radiography systems, and analyzes the resulting images to assist in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning
- Conducts diagnostic testing, including bloodwork, cytology, and fecal examinations, to aid in evaluating patient health and guiding treatment decisions
- Assists Director of Animal Care with providing guidance to externs in accordance with their graduation requirements
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Availability to share veterinary on-call duty with the Director of Animal Care
Other Requirements:
- Must be reliable, dependable, and on time to shifts
- Must have a current CA driver’s license with a clean driving record in order to be insured by the organization’s insurance
- Must have or be willing to obtain the Rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis vaccination series or have a protective antibody titers
- Must be able to work cooperatively with co-workers, volunteers, interns, externs, and the public
- Must be able to provide a friendly, tolerant environment for staff, volunteers, interns, and externs
- Must be able to work quickly, efficiently, and calmly under stressful conditions
- Must be able to act decisively regarding constantly changing animal cases and situations
- Upon hire, must complete and pass background check
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The applicant must be available to work for the entirety of the duration between May and October 2026, with the potential opportunity for a relief or full-time position.
Skills:
- Ability to read and interpret various documents including safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedures manuals.
- Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
- Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Must be able to effectively present information in one-on-one and group situations
- Must have basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite and Slack. Computer keyboarding skills and data entry are required
- Must be proficient in using the WRMD.ORG database
- Must be familiar with common wildlife diseases for mammals and avians
Education and Experience:
- Must have a Doctorate of Veterinary medicine (DVM) and a minimum of three years’ experience working with wildlife, zoo animal, or small mammal/exotics in a clinical setting.
- Must have experience with marine mammal rehabilitation, particularly Northern Elephant Seal Pups and California Sea Lion Pups
- Must have a current valid California Veterinary Medical License
- Must have a current, valid, federal DEA license
- Must have national license to practice veterinary medicine in the United States
- Must have current USDA National Accreditation (Level 2)
- Must have experience with small mammal/exotics orthopedics and soft tissue surgeries
- Must have experience with avian orthopedics and soft tissue surgeries
- Must have experience with chemical immobilization (hand injections, blow darting, and dart guns)
- Must have familiarity with lab work (CBC/Chem, fecals, cytology, and etc.), physical exams, stabilizing animals through emergencies and critical care
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
- May require hiking, climbing, lifting, bending, stooping, pushing and other moderately strenuous activities.
- Prolonged period of standing, walking, sitting.
- Adapt to and perform job duties in various weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, wind, and snow.
- Regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms.
- Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds at a time.
- Possess visual acuity to perform tasks requiring close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- Work effectively in environments with loud noises.
- Regularly work in environments with potential hazards, including exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, zoonotic diseases, aggressive or feral animals, moving mechanical parts, and radiation risks, while adhering to safety protocols and protective measures.
To Apply: