Facility
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Purpose:
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the Curator in the Veterinary Sciences (VetS) section of the Museum and is supervised by the Coordinator of VetS. Position assists the Chief Veterinarian & Clinical Veterinarian with medical procedures and medical management of the Museum’s diverse collection of live animals including over 2500 non-venomous and venomous reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, fish, and invertebrates.
Key Responsibilities:
Position performs duties in the Window on Animal Health and One Health veterinary medical laboratory in the Nature Research Center (NRC) including tests that aid in the diagnosis of disease and treatment of veterinary patients. Position maintains the Museum’s Veterinary Sciences laboratory and associated veterinary clinical spaces, including the special procedures surgery space, medical isolation, medical quarantine, wildlife and research animal isolation, and medical holding rooms.
Position orders and maintains equipment and supplies for VetS and prepares live animals for medical exams and procedures and replacing animals in their holding cages as needed. Work includes management of the pharmacy and ordering new medications when needed.
Position inputs data from procedures such as animal evaluations, laboratory results (both internal and external), photos, and scanned documents into the RaptorMed system.
The scope of work of this position includes animal husbandry, veterinary medical procedures, assisting with surgical procedures, animal handling, quality control, and education. Position coordinates medical treatments and standards of medical management of live animals as directed by the Chief Veterinarian and performed by other Living Collections section staff.
Position exercises independent judgment in planning and scheduling work, establishing procedures for assembly, sterilization, and preparation of clinical equipment and instruments.
Education and Pre-requisites
Experience Required
1. Minimum Education and Experience: Associate’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution in an American Veterinary Medical Association program with one year of related veterinary work experience; or High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and four years of animal care, veterinary or closely related research experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 2. Preferred Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited institution with a major in veterinary technology, animal sciences, biology, zoology, or other natural science curriculum and experience working with a veterinarian in veterinary medicine and/or curatorial or teaching in natural science. Experience as a veterinary technician or veterinary assistant working with health management and basic husbandry of live aquatic and terrestrial species including a diverse mix of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and/or invertebrates. Five years combined education and work experience preferred.
Job Requirements:
Position travels regularly within 50 miles of the Museum to deliver and pickup veterinary medical samples and supplies as needed or transport animals under veterinary care. As such, a valid NC Driver’s License is required (or must obtain one within 30 days or hire).
Position is a full-time 40 hour/week time-limited position that participates in the weekend and holiday schedule by working 50% or more of weekends and holidays. The work schedule is generally, Tues-Sat. The anticipated start date is 12/5/2022 with an end date of 11/4/2023.
As this is an 11-month time limited position (limited time for training/onboarding), this position will mainly be responsible for minimal husbandry & housekeeping within the VetS section, public & intern education, data entry, pharmacy inventory, supplies/instrument inventory & stocking, & labwork/diagnostics. However, other opportunities are available as time allows.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge
Knowledge of biology, zoology, natural history and experience in the care, husbandry, nutrition, and general healthcare of live amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, fish, and invertebrates.
Knowledge of animal common diseases including zoonosis, treatments and restraint, and surgical/diagnostic procedures and techniques as pertaining to wildlife, exotic, avian, aquatic, and zoo animal species.
Knowledge of aseptic techniques, patient monitoring equipment, and medical laboratory equipment typically used for veterinary medical procedures.
Knowledge of life support systems and operations.
Skills
Assisting veterinarians with procedures for the diagnoses and treatment of illness and disease in Museum species by handling, restraining, and performing technical procedures.
Recognizing common clinical signs and symptoms of potential diseases or disorders.
Assisting veterinarian as directed by performing post-mortem examination of wildlife, avian, aquatic, and zoological animal species specimens.
Competency with computers and basic software such as MS Office Suite & telemedicine software.
Abilities
Ability to safely manage emergency situations efficiently and effectively and trouble shoot problems.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and maintain detailed accurate records and files and to conduct oral informal public presentations.
Ability to work independently and as an active team member and to train and supervise interns/volunteers.
Ability to regularly perform physically demanding activities such as lifting over 50 pounds and climbing up and down stairs and ladders, standing for the majority of the workday, enduring outdoor field conditions at any time of year, negotiating uneven outdoor terrain on foot, and driving at day or at night.
Compensation and benefits
Salary
$15/hour
Application instructions
How to Apply
Submit a pd-107 form (https://oshr.nc.gov/nc-state-government-paper-application-employment-pd-107), along with a cover letter & resume/CV. Include information regarding veterinary experience, exotic animal experience and leadership/organizational experience) and email directly to the Coordinator of Veterinary Sciences, Shane Christian (larry.christian@naturalsciences.org).
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Raleigh, NC