Job Summary:
Under general direction and utilizing broad objectives and guidelines, the Veterinarian ensures appropriate care for all animals entrusted to the center and contributes to quality programming in research, rehabilitation, and education. The Veterinarian serves as a mentor to the Associate Veterinarian, and the rehabilitation and education teams. This position balances the missions of the Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) through conceptual and “hands-on” leadership in the disciplines of veterinary medicine in a team environment. 

 Description:

• Oversees veterinary care for the resident Center collection and patients. This includes regular examinations, diagnosing and devising therapies (surgical, prescription) for diseases and injuries, reviewing clinical pathology reports and patient charts, necropsies, as well as managing caseload and treatments in coordination with GADNR and partner institutions.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal agency standards on animal care, research and ethics.  This includes maintaining required permits and licenses (GADNR, DEA, USFWS), supervising the use and storage of controlled substances, and daily monitoring of animal welfare. 
• Provides high quality medical and surgical care for injured and ill wildlife presented to GSTC; provides 24/7 on call emergency care and ensures adequate veterinary coverage when unavailable.
• Serves as a mentor and role model to the Associate Veterinarian and Rehabilitation Team providing clinical guidance, professional development, leadership, and collaborative learning.
• Engage with staff to enhance learning through open case review and decision discussions.
• Engage with guests to enhance their experience by facilitating discussion and explanation of veterinary procedures conducted in public areas of the hospital and the public viewing window.  
• Adheres to departmental practices, procedures, and training of staff, volunteers and interns.  This includes animal capture and restraint, examinations, treatments, prescription dispensing, transport, etc. and the regular review and revision of procedures as per best practices in the field.
• Collaborates with Director of GSTC to develop and maintain relationships with schools of veterinary medicine at various universities in providing training and GSTC opportunities. Oversee the selection, teaching and oversight of mentorship and veterinary externship programs.
• Supervises the generation, maintenance, and accuracy of all medical and necropsy records. This includes drug inventories, daily reports, diagnostic and laboratory analyses, research, and clinical data required for welfare and permit documentation, and database systems.
• Maintains controlled drug records, ensures appropriate biomaterials disposal and radiation safety.
• Ability to conduct general fundraising and grant acquisition, pursuing to sea turtle and related conservation efforts locally and globally as a representative of the GSTC.
• Collaborates with Director of GSTC to develop and maintain professional working relationships with government/overseeing agencies, and other aquarium, zoological, wildlife and research facilities.  Oversee active clinical research. collaborating with internal and external colleagues; based on historical data assets, current trends, management priorities, and strategic goals.   
• Contributes subject matter knowledge and expertise to public outreach, educational programming, and research of the GSTC, JIA Conservation, and other JIA departments.  Serves as the spokesperson for veterinary related topics for the GSTC.
• Participates in required JIA training and obtains appropriate continuing education and professional development.
• Performs other duties as assigned to meet departmental and organizational goals.