Full-Time Fixed-Term Wildlife Veterinarian
Dunedin Wildlife Hospital | Dunedin, New Zealand
One-year fixed-term position – sabbatical cover (May 2027 - April 2028)
Dunedin Wildlife Hospital is seeking a qualified and experienced wildlife veterinarian to join our clinical team for a one-year, full-time fixed-term position to provide cover while one of our experienced wildlife veterinarians undertakes sabbatical leave.
This role requires a veterinarian with advanced training and/or substantial hands-on wildlife clinical experience who is ready to practise with a high degree of clinical independence. The successful applicant must be able to step into a busy wildlife hospital environment and independently undertake medical, surgical, anaesthetic and emergency case management without requiring routine supervision or additional training in core wildlife clinical skills.
The position is part of a collaborative veterinary team, and collegial consultation and case discussion are actively encouraged, particularly for complex or unusual cases. However, due to the nature of this sabbatical-cover position, we are seeking a veterinarian who can manage their own clinical workload and decision-making without requiring intensive supervision or day-to-day training.
The successful applicant will also play an important role in supporting, supervising and mentoring our junior wildlife veterinarian.
We welcome applications from established wildlife clinicians as well as veterinarians who are completing or have recently completed a recognised residency training programme in wildlife, zoological or closely related veterinary medicine and are ready to transition into independent clinical practice.
About Dunedin Wildlife Hospital
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. We work closely with conservation organisations, wildlife managers and rehabilitation partners to provide veterinary treatment and rehabilitation for sick and injured native wildlife.
The hospital manages a varied caseload ranging from routine assessment and rehabilitation through to complex medical, surgical and critical-care cases. The role provides the opportunity to contribute directly to the health and conservation management of some of New Zealand's threatened species, including hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins.
About the role
As a wildlife veterinarian at Dunedin Wildlife Hospital, you will be responsible for the independent assessment and clinical management of wildlife patients from admission through to rehabilitation and release.
Responsibilities include:
Independent clinical examination, diagnosis and case management of wildlife patients
Development and implementation of diagnostic and treatment plans
Medical management of hospitalised and critically ill wildlife
Independent performance of routine and emergency surgical procedures
Wildlife anaesthesia and perioperative management
Emergency and critical care
Interpretation of diagnostic imaging, laboratory results and other clinical investigations
Management of complex and challenging wildlife cases
Assessment of prognosis, welfare and suitability for rehabilitation and release
Providing clinical supervision, guidance and mentorship to the junior wildlife veterinarian
Supporting the junior veterinarian in developing their clinical skills, confidence and decision-making
Maintaining accurate and comprehensive clinical records
Working closely with veterinary nurses and other members of the hospital team
Liaising with wildlife managers, conservation organisations and rehabilitation partners as required
Contributing to the maintenance of high standards of clinical care, animal welfare and biosecurity within the hospital
The successful applicant must be comfortable making independent clinical decisions and managing their own caseload without routine veterinary supervision. At the same time, we value a collaborative approach to clinical practice, and consultation and discussion between veterinary team members are encouraged.
Essential requirements
Applicants must:
Hold a recognised veterinary degree and be registered, or eligible for registration, with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand
Be legally entitled to work in New Zealand
Meet at least one of the following experience/training pathways:
Have a minimum of three years' clinical experience working in a wildlife setting, with demonstrated ability to practise independently; or
Have completed, or be nearing completion of, a recognised residency training programme in wildlife, zoological or closely related veterinary medicine
Have strong practical experience in avian and wildlife medicine
Be capable of independently assessing, diagnosing and managing wildlife patients and prioritising a busy clinical caseload
Be competent to perform medical, surgical and anaesthetic procedures without routine supervision
Be confident managing emergency and critically ill patients
Have strong clinical judgement and know when collegial consultation or additional input is appropriate
Be able to work autonomously while also contributing effectively to a collaborative clinical team
Be comfortable supervising and mentoring a junior wildlife veterinarian, including providing clinical guidance and support with case management and procedures
Have excellent communication, organisational and clinical record-keeping skills
Be available to participate in rostered weekend work and occasional additional hours when required
Weekend work forms part of the normal veterinary roster. There may occasionally be a requirement to work additional hours in response to clinical workload or emergencies; however, overtime is infrequent.
Preferred experience and qualifications
We are particularly interested in applicants who have undertaken advanced postgraduate training in wildlife health, avian medicine, zoological medicine or a related discipline.
Highly desirable experience and qualifications include:
Completion of a recognised wildlife or zoological medicine residency
Postgraduate qualifications in wildlife health, avian medicine, zoological medicine or a related field
ANZCVS Membership or equivalent advanced veterinary qualifications
Previous experience supervising, mentoring or providing clinical support to junior veterinarians
Experience managing threatened or conservation-dependent species
Experience working within wildlife rehabilitation or conservation programmes
Experience working collaboratively with government agencies, conservation organisations or wildlife management teams
Formal postgraduate qualifications are highly regarded; however, applicants with substantial clinical wildlife experience who can demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge, competency and independent practice are also encouraged to apply.
What we offer
This is an opportunity to spend a year working in a dedicated wildlife veterinary hospital and contribute directly to the treatment, rehabilitation and conservation of New Zealand's native wildlife.
You will join an experienced clinical and veterinary nursing team and manage a diverse and often challenging caseload, applying your existing skills across avian and wildlife medicine, surgery, anaesthesia, diagnostics, emergency and critical care, rehabilitation and conservation medicine.
The position provides a unique opportunity to work closely with some of New Zealand's most threatened native species and contribute to clinical programmes with direct conservation outcomes.
For a veterinarian completing specialist residency training, the position also provides an opportunity to transition from a structured training programme into an independent clinical wildlife role within an established wildlife hospital, while continuing to work as part of a collaborative veterinary team.
Position details
Position: Wildlife Veterinarian – Full-time, Fixed-term
Location: Dunedin Wildlife Hospital, Dunedin, New Zealand
Term: One year – sabbatical leave cover
Fixed-term dates: 1 May 2027 to 30 April 2028
Hours: Full-time, including rostered weekend work
How to apply
Please send a CV and cover letter outlining your relevant wildlife and avian clinical experience, postgraduate or residency training, experience with independent medical, surgical, anaesthetic and emergency case management, and any previous experience supervising or mentoring junior veterinarians to Angelina Martelli, Practice Manager - [email protected].
Applicants currently completing a relevant residency are encouraged to apply and should include their expected residency completion date and details of their clinical training and caseload.
This position requires an advanced level of wildlife clinical competency and a high degree of clinical independence. Collegial consultation and collaborative case discussion are an important part of our clinical culture; however, this is not a training position, and the successful applicant must be capable of managing their own caseload without routine supervision or intensive clinical training.