Department Head of Zoological and Companion Exotic
Job Overview
The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center is seeking an ACZM-board certified veterinarian to serve as the Department Head of Zoological and Companion Exotic Animal Medicine. As the leader of our companion avian and exotic animal service team, this role will develop, supervise, and coordinate medical services for non‑domestic and exotic pet species across clinical, outreach, and educational domains.
Key Responsibilities
Outreach Zoological Services Leadership
- Develop a comprehensive outreach service, in collaboration with the Director of Zoological Services, to provide consultation for facilities that breed, protect, or conserve non‑domestic species, including public and private zoos, wild animal parks, and conservation parks.
- Coordinate telemedicine services between AMC specialists and on-site veterinarians.
- Provide on-site services as needed and permitted under state and international laws.
- Establish a concierge or fee‑for‑service structure for these facilities, excluding local zoos with existing AMC partnerships (WCS, Turtleback Zoo, Staten Island Zoo).
Oversight of Exotic Pet Clinical Services
- Lead and support the ongoing Exotic Pet Service, including supervision of current staff veterinarians and support staff.
- Support the activities of the Department through regular clinical service, including clinical appointments, in-patient care, clinical procedures, and consulting on walk-in emergency cases
Education, Training, and Research
- Oversee training, education, and exposure in the veterinary care of non‑domestic species for residents, interns, and other hospital staff, both within and outside of the Department.
- Support and develop research and publication opportunities within the Department, sharing what we learn at AMC with the local and global community.
Zoo Services Coordination
- Collaborate, coordinate and enhance in‑house services provided to local zoological institutions.
Marketing & Public Relations Partnership
- Work with Marketing and Public Relations to promote AMC’s dedication to providing access to specialty services for facilities involved in conservation of non‑domestic species.
Required Qualifications
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree; Board certification by the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) desired
- Eligibility for New York State veterinary licensure; eligibility for other State veterinary licensure as needed
- At least 15 years of experience in clinical Zoological Animal Medicine, including 10 years of leadership experience preferred
- Strong communication skills, in written and verbal forms, with both professional and lay audiences
- Demonstrated track record in conducting and publishing clinical research
- Experience teaching and mentoring veterinary students, house officers, and veterinary clinicians
- Ability to lead and integrate a veterinary team within a complex environment
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Generous sign-on bonus
- Four-day work week
- Health insurance with medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Very generous PTO
- Continuing education time off and stipend
- 403b retirement play with employer match
- School loan debt forgiveness opportunity as a non-profit hospital with 10 years of non-profit employment under the federal loan forgiveness program for nonprofits
- Non-corporate practice with no percentage pay
- Collegial work with colleagues in a non-competitive structure with strong teaching and mentoring opportunities as well as opportunities for research
Excellence in veterinary medicine since 1910. AMC Offers:
A Commitment to Lifelong Learning: Founded in 1910, the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center is the world’s largest veterinary teaching hospital, offering compassionate, collaborative, and cutting-edge veterinary care. Our commitment to innovation has led to the creation of one of the most advanced veterinary facilities in the world.
State-of-the-Art Facilities: AMC just completed a major expansion and renovation. This project transformed the hospital’s entire 83,000-square-foot space into a state-of-the-art facility unlike any other.
Highlights include: A brand-new full floor surgical center, 1.5 Tesla Philips MRI (the exclusive high field MRI for small animals in NYC), 64-slice spiral CT scanner, Electroencephalography (EEG), Elekta Versa HD Linear Accelerator, In-house Laboratory, Ultrasound, Echocardiogram, and Mobile Cone Beam CT
A multidisciplinary team of 140+ veterinarians across 20+ specialties: With over 20 specialties and services under one roof, our departments frequently work together to deliver the highest quality of patient care in the veterinary field. Our dynamic array of specialists means that we are the go-to place for complex cases.
A Hospital in the heart of NYC: AMC is located in Manhattan, surrounded by leading research and teaching institutions such as Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical School, and NYU. Collaborative research opportunities abound, and our strong focus on education ensures a rewarding career for those passionate about mentoring and advancing veterinary medicine.