Description

The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk is a 53acre accredited zoological park dedicated to exceptional animal care, conservation, and community education. Home to more than 700 animals from around the world, the Zoo features immersive habitats, innovative animal health practices, and impactful conservation programs. As a growing, missiondriven organization, the Virginia Zoo offers a collaborative environment where employees directly support animal welfare and meaningful guest experiences.

Join Our Team and Help Shape the Future of Wildlife Care

The Virginia Zoo is seeking a skilled and compassionate Associate Zoo Veterinarian to join our expanding animal health team. The growing department includes a Senior Director of Animal Health (diplomate of ACZM and ECZM), two associate veterinarians, an office manager/veterinary technician, two veterinary technicians, a Lead Animal Health Keeper, and two Animal Health Keepers.

This is an exceptional opportunity to become part of a dynamic team at a rapidly growing facility. You will play a key role in the care and welfare of a diverse animal collection while contributing to meaningful conservation efforts. At the Virginia Zoo, you will be valued as an integral member of a collaborative veterinary team committed to excellence and dedicated to innovative, progressive animal health practices.

Located just steps from the Chesapeake Bay—with kayak access right outside our fence—and only 30 minutes from the oceanfront and three hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Virginia Zoo offers both a fulfilling career and an exceptional quality of life.

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We are aiming for this candidate to start on or after October 4th.

 
Key Responsibilities:

• Foster a positive, professional work environment and maintain collaborative relationships with zoo staff, volunteers, the public, City of Norfolk employees, board members, and vendors.
• Work closely with curators, keepers, veterinary technicians, and the Head of Veterinary Services on clinical case management and daily operations.
• Stay current with veterinary literature to support evidence-based medical decisions and maintain compliance with industry standards.
• Deliver preventative and emergency care for a wide variety of taxa including mega vertebrates, great apes, large carnivores, hoofstock, small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.
• Perform surgical and anesthetic procedures, including those conducted in guest-viewing areas.
• Conduct gross necropsies, submit appropriate diagnostic samples, determine suitable preventive actions for surviving group members, and communicate findings to the animal care team promptly.
• Provide emergency care and euthanasia for wildlife found on zoo grounds when appropriate.
• Maintain a USDA Category II Accreditation and support the veterinary component of animal acquisitions and dispositions.
• Ensure accurate and timely recordkeeping in ZIMS.
• Participate in zoo-wide initiatives such as animal welfare assessments, behavior training programs, and enrichment planning.
• Ensure compliance with AVMA, USDA, AZA, and other regulatory standards relevant to zoo veterinary practices.
• Share in after-hours emergency on-call rotation.
   

Additional Responsibilities:

• Respond to animal-related emergencies within the zoo.
• Handle high concentrated anesthetic drugs and respond to human exposure to these drugs.
• Provide training to zoo staff and volunteers on relevant topics such as zoonotic diseases.
• Mentor visiting students, technicians, and interns.
• Represent the zoo professionally to the public, media, and external partners.
• Participate in tours, educational events, and guest engagement activities as needed.
• Collaborate with colleagues on clinical cases as needed.
• Contribute to the zoo’s conservation and research initiatives through sample collection, data submission, and participation in research studies.
• Present findings through peer-reviewed publications or at professional conferences to advance the fields of zoo medicine, animal welfare, husbandry, and conservation.
• Carry out additional duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Animal Health to ensure high standards of care and departmental functionality.
• Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed. May be required to stay overnight at the Zoo in cases of animal illness, severe weather, or other emergencies that impact regular travel.
• Must be able to respond to the Zoo within 45 minutes under normal traffic conditions in the event of an emergency when on-call.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary (commensurate with zoo experience) and benefits package; hiring range $97,066 - $112,000
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health and dental insurance
• 12 days of PTO and 17 paid holidays annually
• Opportunities and financial support for professional development and continuing education
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
• Collaborative, supportive culture with an excellent work–life balance
• Convenient coastal location with proximity to the beach

 
Work Environment

• Exposure to varying temperatures, including refrigerated areas and outdoor conditions.
• May involve working in dusty, humid, or wet environments.
• Regular handling of raw meat, fish, produce, and feed.
• Physical demands include lifting, bending, pushing carts, and standing for extended periods.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• DVM or equivalent from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school.
• Valid license (or eligibility) to practice veterinary medicine in Virginia prior to employment start date.
• Minimum of 2 years full-time postgraduate experience in veterinary medicine, including at least 1 year at a zoo veterinary internship in an AZA-accredited (or equivalent) institution or at least 2 years as an associate at an AZA-accredited (or equivalent) institution.
• Must have post-graduate experience anesthetizing large carnivores, great apes, hoofstock, and mega vertebrates.
• Completion of a zoological internship or residency preferred.
• ACZM or ECZM board eligibility or certification highly desirable.
• USDA Category II Accreditation for Virginia required within 3 months of hire.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Proficient in modern zoo veterinary practices, including anesthesia, diagnostics, recordkeeping, and the safe use of controlled substances.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in team-based, interdisciplinary environments.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to zoo veterinary medicine.
• High emotional intelligence, professionalism, self-awareness, and situational awareness.
• Must possess or obtain a valid Virginia driver’s license.
• Negative TB test and current rabies vaccination required.

* Applicants must apply through the NeoGov website: NeoGov website