Employment Opportunities for Wildlife Veterinarians and Biologists

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This page last updated 9/22/2008

Wildlife Health Investigations Post-doctoral Researcher (deadline 10/10/2008)

DEPARTMENT: Wildlife Investigations Laboratory (WIL), California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG)
Wildlife Health Center (WHC)
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of California, Davis

A short term postdoctoral research position is being offered by the Wildlife Investigations Laboratory (WIL), California Department of Fish and Game and the Wildlife Health Center (WHC), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California. This position is designed to train veterinarians in free-ranging wildlife management and wildlife health research.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

30% time: Administer veterinary care to wildlife during field captures for sampling, collaring and/or translocation as well as to injured, orphaned, displaced, research and evidence animals brought to WIL. Veterinary care includes collection of biological samples, preventive medicine (vaccinations, administration of prophylactic drugs and parasiticides), diagnostic workup, testing for disease and parasites, developing therapeutic regimens, and surgical and dental procedures.

50% time: Assist the WIL in daily activities such as planning and conducting applied management research, disease surveillance projects, and investigations into the causes of wildlife health problems in free-ranging native wildlife species and in captive exotic species possessed by individuals under Department permits.

Respond to inquiries and requests from the public, as well as Federal, State and local government agencies, organizations, universities and colleges regarding wildlife health issues.
Assist staff in acquiring, organizing and entering data, and developing databases for new and ongoing wildlife projects. Duties include conducting literature searches, organizing field data, entering into current databases, and developing databases for new projects.

20% time: Complete a selected independent wildlife management-related project directly relevant to the needs of CDFG. Collaborate with WIL staff, WHC and other faculty at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine to complete a captive animal care protocol for WIL and develop a training manual for new employees. Submit an official report to WIL and Wildlife Branch Supervisors. Teach 1-2 wildlife management or wildlife husbandry lectures in courses taught by faculty at WHC.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum qualification is a DVM/VMD degree. An MPVM (Masters of Preventive Veterinary Medicine) or equivalent Masters Degree in ecology or epidemiology is highly desirable. Clinical veterinary experience with wildlife and/or large domestic animals as well as skills and experience in data analysis techniques relevant to wildlife population health are of significant advantage for this position. Must possess a current California veterinary license and a valid California driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Ability to perform physically demanding work with large, potentially dangerous mammals; spend days to weeks participating in field projects throughout the State of California; working outdoors in all types of weather and terrain. Significant heavy lifting and hard physical work is routine. Ability to spend long hours working at a computer conducting detailed data entry and analysis, literature review, and writing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND HOURS:

Ability to work with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds and levels of experience and to maintain a positive work environment in the office and the field. This position requires an individual who works well as part of a team and is willing to complete any task necessary to get the job done. Field projects and wildlife veterinary care routinely require long hours and work on weekends and holidays. Extensive travel will be required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary for this position varies based on education and experience ($31,000 - $40,000/year) plus medical, dental and vision benefits.

This is a six month appointment starting approximately November 1, 2008 – April 30, 2009. This appointment may be extended as necessary if both parties agree.

Applications will be accepted through October 10 2008. To apply, send a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, and three references to Kathy Collins, Wildlife Health Center, TB 128 Old Davis Road, Davis, California 95616. Please direct questions to Kathy Collins at (530)754-9032 or email kacollins@ucdavis.edu.