Job Postings

Hawaiian Monk Seal Conservation Veterinarian

Job Description:

The Hawaiian Monk Seal Conservation Veterinarian is a member of a multidisciplinary team. This individual provides veterinary care for our rehabilitation program and veterinary leadership for the Animal Programs team. This individual will represent the Center in veterinary partnerships, such as NOAA’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program and the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program, by conducting patient rounds, providing regular (weekly or more frequent) patient updates, and participating in field work, as needed. This position reports to the Vice President, Veterinary Medicine and Science, with direct support from the Center’s veterinary team. 

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Manage veterinary care for Hawaiian monk seals in rehabilitation at Ke Kai Ola.
  • Manage and support one direct report at Ke Kai Ola (Animal Programs Manager). Responsibilities include setting goals and ensuring accountability, providing timely and routine feedback, counseling, and supporting employment transitions.
  • Develop an annual budget for animal care expenses at Ke Kai Ola in compliance with Center policies and procedures and in coordination with the Chief Programs Officer and Chief Financial Officer. 
  • Collaborates with Sausalito-based clinical team on current/emerging cases
  • Ensure compliance with all required permitting and approved plans (i.e. NOAA stranding agreement and veterinary plan), as well as maintaining electronic animal records 
  • Submits required veterinary medical reports to NOAA and contributes to other reporting needs (i.e. progress and final reports for grant-funded projects or activities)
  • Grows professional training and learning opportunities in veterinary medicine at Ke Kai Ola (i.e. veterinary internships and externships) in support of the Center’s Teaching Hospital Inititaive. 
  • Contributes to donor and community engagement activities on a regular basis (i.e. leads tours, support learning programs, contributes to volunteer training/engagement efforts)
  • Partner with Development colleagues to support and lead efforts to raise revenue through major donor cultivation, donor events, and pursuit of foundation, public (federal, state, and local) and corporate funding opportunities.
  • Represent the Center and its mission on media platforms 
  • Implement communication strategies that engage external partners (e.g. NOAA Fisheries) on matters of short- and long-term consequence (including individual patient treatment and diagnostic plans, policies and procedures as they relate to patient care, coordination of patient transportation, etc.) 
  • Engage with partners on Hawaiian monk seal conversation efforts and represent the Center on the Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Team
  • Encourage and support internal and external collaborations to advance medicine and science in support of Hawaiian monk seal conservation
  • Support NOAA field activities as needed, including Main Hawaiian Island field work and NOAA Northwest Hawaiian Islands cruises  (2-4 weeks each spring/fall)
  • Collaborate and/or lead studies and secure funding for research that furthers the Center’s mission; analyze data and publish results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Qualifications Experience:

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent required; additional post-graduate degree and/or marine mammal experience, especially phocids, highly desired.
  • Licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Hawaii and possession of a DEA license or ability to obtain within first few months on the job, required.
  • Experience working in field settings and supporting field-based research, including sample collection and field sedation of wild animals, is highy desired.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills, and ability and experience communicating in varied settings in front of diverse audiences. 
  • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to supervise and motivate volunteers and team members
  • A proven track record for publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
  • Ability to travel, nationally and internationally, for up to 4 weeks at a time.
  • Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
  • Comfort with various modes of travel including small watercraft, small planes.
  • Ability to carry up to 50 pounds.