Dunedin Wildlife Hospital | Dunedin, New Zealand
Dunedin Wildlife Hospital is seeking a junior veterinarian to join our clinical team in a part-time, fixed-term position.
This role is ideally suited to an early-career veterinarian with an interest in wildlife, avian or conservation medicine. Previous wildlife experience is an advantage, but is not required. We are looking for someone with good veterinary fundamentals, enthusiasm for working with native wildlife and a willingness to learn.
About the role
Dunedin Wildlife Hospital provides veterinary care for native wildlife from across southern New Zealand, with a strong focus on threatened species and conservation outcomes. Our caseload is predominantly avian and includes penguins, seabirds, native forest birds and a wide range of other native species.
You will work alongside our experienced wildlife veterinarians and veterinary nursing team, gaining practical experience in wildlife medicine while contributing to the day-to-day care of hospital patients.
The role will include:
Clinical examination and assessment of wildlife patients
Assisting with and developing diagnostic and treatment plans
Medical management of hospitalised patients
Anaesthesia and routine clinical procedures
Assisting with surgical and more complex cases
Emergency and critical care
Interpretation of diagnostic results
Patient monitoring and rehabilitation
Maintaining accurate clinical records
Working closely with veterinary nurses and the wider wildlife and conservation team
Clinical responsibility will be appropriate to your level of experience, with support and guidance available from our senior veterinary team. As your skills and confidence develop, there will be opportunities to take greater responsibility for case management.
Weekend work is a required part of the roster. There may occasionally be a need to work additional hours in response to clinical workload or emergencies; however, overtime is infrequent.
About you
We are looking for a veterinarian who:
Holds a recognised veterinary degree and is registered, or eligible for registration, with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand
Has at least one year of clinical veterinary experience
Is legally entitled to work in New Zealand
Is a recent graduate or early-career veterinarian looking to develop their clinical skills
Has sound fundamental veterinary knowledge and practical skills
Is comfortable working as part of a small, collaborative clinical team
Has good communication and organisational skills
Is willing to work with a predominantly avian caseload
Is available for rostered weekend work and occasional additional hours when required
Has a genuine interest in wildlife health and conservation
Previous experience with wildlife, birds or exotic species is desirable but not essential. Relevant postgraduate study or additional wildlife experience would also be welcomed, but no postgraduate qualifications are required for this position.
What we offer
This is an opportunity to develop practical wildlife veterinary skills in a dedicated wildlife hospital while being supported by an experienced clinical team.
Our two senior wildlife veterinarians both hold Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (MANZCVS) in Avian Health and can provide clinical mentorship and guidance to veterinarians interested in developing advanced avian medicine skills or working towards ANZCVS Membership examinations in Avian Health.
You will gain hands-on experience with native New Zealand wildlife and exposure to avian medicine, anaesthesia, diagnostics, emergency care, rehabilitation and conservation medicine, including the management of threatened species such as hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins.
For an early-career veterinarian considering a future in wildlife or avian medicine, the position provides an opportunity to build experience with a diverse clinical caseload while learning from veterinarians with extensive experience in wildlife and avian medicine.
Position: Junior Wildlife Veterinarian – Part-time, Fixed-term
Location: Dunedin Wildlife Hospital, Dunedin
Hours: 16 hours per week, including rostered weekend work
Fixed-term period: 18/1/27 – 2/6/28 (18 months)
To apply, please send a CV and brief cover letter outlining your veterinary experience and interest in wildlife medicine to [email protected]
Previous wildlife experience is an advantage, but we are primarily looking for an early-career veterinarian with at least one year of clinical experience, strong veterinary fundamentals, a good attitude and enthusiasm for developing their skills in wildlife medicine.