Staff Veterinarian

ABOUT US

Ojai Raptor Center (ORC) is a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of native wildlife, focusing on birds of prey. Located in Ojai, California, ORC also provides environmental education to inspire conservation and stewardship and supports raptor conservation through research and community engagement.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Staff Veterinarian’s primary responsibility is to ensure that all animals at Ojai Raptor Center receive adequate and appropriate veterinary care. The staff veterinarian serves as the clinical authority for all medical decisions and protocols within the hospital. The veterinarian is responsible for establishing clinical protocols, medical evaluations, and treatment plans, which are implemented in daily operations by the Hospital & Rehabilitation Manager and team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Veterinary Services and Animal Care

• Strive for the highest and most current industry standards in veterinary medicine and wildlife rehabilitation.
• Maintain high level of ecological knowledge of wildlife patients.
• Provide clinical direction and guidance to Animal Care staff on medical care, diets, and release readiness.
• Oversee regular health checks of education ambassadors in coordination with the education team.
• Perform intake exams to determine best treatment plan for every patient. Maintain intake procedures.
• Manage and administer medical treatments including surgical procedures, wound care, nutrition and physical therapy, as well as indicating a long-term prognosis.
• Train, mentor, and assess staff, volunteers, and interns in medical care and procedures as appropriate, without direct responsibility for scheduling or performance management.
• Direct oversight of onsite raptor food production including the health and wellbeing of the live prey breeding and feeding animals.
• Determine when treatment is possible and when euthanasia is warranted due to illness or injury that indicates a poor prognosis for survival or release.
• Create protocols to minimize risk to staff and volunteers of illness, injury and contraction of zoonotic diseases.
• Operate diagnostic equipment, including digital radiograph equipment and blood lead analyzer, and interpret the results.
• Perform and interpret diagnostic tests, including blood work, cytology and fecals.
• Maintain understanding of common wildlife diseases for native wild mammals and avian species.
• Oversee accurate and timely patient recordkeeping across WRMD, physical records and internal tracking systems.
• Ensure data integrity for medical records, treatments, rehabilitation progress, outcomes, and provide accurate rehabilitation statistics as required for reporting, planning, and compliance.

Leadership and Organizational Support

• Lead and define clinical continuing education for Animal Care Staff and Volunteers, including required competencies, training content, and professional standards.
• Manage and develop animal care policies and procedures, and develop and maintain clear, written, and accessible SOPs for medical care, and use them to train staff, interns, externs, and volunteers.
• Develop, maintain and implement the intern/extern programs providing clinical mentorship.
• Maintain inventory of controlled substances, and assist with ordering general medical supplies and equipment.
• Facilitate the maintenance of medical equipment, such as anesthesia and digital x-ray machines.
• Communicate and coordinate with wildlife agencies and researchers (i.e., California Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service, Veterinary Public Health Department, universities).
• Oversee data collection that enables ORC to contribute to research and data collection projects of other organizations when appropriate

Authority & Reporting Structure

The Staff Veterinarian reports to the Executive Director and serves as the clinical authority for veterinary medicine at Ojai Raptor Center, including diagnosis, treatment plans, medical protocols, and euthanasia decisions.

The Hospital & Rehabilitation Manager is responsible for daily hospital operations, staffing, scheduling, workflow, and the implementation of clinical treatment plans.

The veterinarian and Hospital & Rehabilitation Manager work collaboratively to ensure that clinical priorities are integrated into daily rehabilitation operations and that all patients receive timely, appropriate care.

Hospital staff, interns, externs, and volunteers report operationally to the Hospital & Rehabilitation Manager and work under the clinical direction of the Staff Veterinarian.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, exempt position.

• Health Benefits: Access to comprehensive health plans.
• Retirement Plan: Enrollment in a 403 (b) plan with match after 12months.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO, including sick time.
• Paid Holidays: Observance of five flexible paid company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and continued learning.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Ojai Raptor Center is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, volunteers, and community members.

WORKPLACE CONDUCT

All staff are expected to maintain a positive and professional work environment through respectful collaboration, accountability, and a shared commitment to ORC’s mission and values. All incidents, injuries, and concerns must be reported in accordance with ORC’s policies and procedures.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), VMD, or equivalent recognized veterinary degree.
• Current California veterinary license or eligibility to obtain one before employment.
• Demonstrated clinical experience in avian, exotic animal or wildlife medicine.
• Competence in veterinary diagnostics, anesthesia, surgery and emergency care.
• Strong clinical judgment, communication, and collaborative skills, with the ability to make timely, evidence-informed decisions.

Preferred

• Experience in a wildlife rehabilitation hospital or raptor-focused veterinary facility.
• Experience with native North American wildlife.
• Experience developing clinical protocols and providing clinical mentorship.
• Familiarity with wildlife rehabilitation regulations and medical recordkeeping systems.
• Experience in research, teaching or professional presentations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Medium to heavy physical demands, including lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, and working on concrete floors for extended periods.
• Regular handling and restraint of sick, injured, or displaced wildlife, with potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, bites, scratches, dust, allergens, and outdoor environmental conditions.
• Work is often fast-paced, detail-oriented, and occasionally stressful.