Overview

Audubon Society of Portland has been a leading voice in conservation for over a century. Through conservation advocacy, environmental education, and wildlife rehabilitation, we promote the understanding, enjoyment, and protection of native birds, other wildlife and their habitats. We are located in a 172-acre wildlife sanctuary in Forest Park, just minutes from downtown Portland. With over 15,000 members and 450 regular volunteers, we are the largest independent chapter of the National Audubon Society in the United States. Additional background regarding our extensive education, advocacy, wildlife rehabilitation, and habitat programs can be found at www.audubonportland.org.

Portland Audubon’s Wildlife Care Center is the largest and busiest rehabilitation facility in the region, treating from 3,000-6,000 injured and orphaned native wild animals each year and is home to a small collection of non-releasable educational animals. Through education and advocacy, the Wildlife Care Center serves as a resource to help our community live more harmoniously with wildlife. The center is operated by 4-5 year-round staff plus seasonal staff, interns, and approximately 200 volunteers.

Audubon Society of Portland has just completed a five-year strategic plan. A core priority is to infuse equity, inclusion, and diversity (EID) into all of the goals and work of the organization. The WCC Veterinarian will play an important role in achieving the organization’s EID goals through the coordination and delivery of high quality visitor engagement and presentations to diverse communities. We recognize that in order to serve diverse communities we must also have diversity represented in our staff. Applicants of color, immigrants, and other underserved persons are encouraged to apply.

Job Summary

The Wildlife Care Center Veterinarian is responsible for oversight of animal medical care provided through the Wildlife Care Center in partnership with the WCC Senior Veterinarian. The WCC Veterinarian reports to the Wildlife Care Center Manager and will work with other veterinary and rehabilitation staff to develop individual animal care plans. This individual also contributes to the creation and implementation of care procedures and policies, the maintenance and care of medical equipment and inventory, and the education of staff, volunteers, and the public. This position is unique in that successful wildlife medicine is multi-disciplinary and requires creativity and teamwork. This position does not have a dedicated veterinary technician, but assistance and support is provided by rehabilitation staff and volunteers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the medical aspects of the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife, including:
  • Intake, examination, and treatment of wildlife
  • Maintenance of records and charting of cases
  • Minor surgical procedures
  • Anesthesia
  • Diagnostics, primarily radiology
  • Euthanasia of non-repairable, non-releasable, and non-native animals
• Training and supervision (both direct & indirect) of clinic staff, interns, and volunteers in necessary medical-related activities
• Provide preventative medical care to non-releasable educational animals
• Develop and implement medical treatment protocols & policies
• Oversee medical inventory, including management of controlled substances
• Maintain medical equipment in good working order
• Maintain and build relationships with the local veterinary and animal care community, including existing Portland Audubon partners such as Dove Lewis Emergency Veterinary Hospital
• Maintain a safe, professional working environment at all time
• Provide information to the general public regarding matters of injured, diseased, and orphaned wildlife, both formally and informally
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree from an AVMA accredited institution
• Experience in the medical care of a broad range of species, including birds, mammals, and herptiles
• Experience working with wild animals, ideally in a wildlife rehabilitation context
• Understanding of natural history and its application to animal husbandry and medical care
• Demonstrated collaborative, team-based approach to working with staff and volunteers
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions in a variety of forums (eg. internal trainings, public presentations)
• Demonstrable commitment to and application of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles
• Proficiency with technology, including electronic medical recordkeeping