Relief Veterinarian

Relief Veterinarian Position

The National Marine Mammal Foundation is seeking applicants for a relief veterinarian to provide clinical, on-call, and emergency veterinary services for a U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program operational site in Silverdale, WA. The relief veterinarian will provide marine mammal veterinary support on a scheduled and as-needed basis at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. Relief coverage throughout the year will vary with respect to duration and frequency.

Primary Responsibilities

Veterinarians in this position provide 24/7 clinical care in cases of illness, injury, or disease, as well as preventative medicine for the MMP's bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. During scheduled relief coverage, veterinarians will carry out primary on-call responsibility under the direction and/or supervision of a full-time MMP veterinarian. Veterinarians in this role must work a minimum of one on-call weekend a month, and cover one major holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve) per year.

Applicant Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen, have a valid driver's license, and have the ability to obtain a Secret security clearance.
• Must be able to carry 40 lbs, remain standing for extended periods of time, and be comfortable working year-round in pier-side, boat-based marine environments.
• Must be able to respond in person for urgent and emergent cases within 2 hours.
• Must maintain an active Washington state veterinary license.

Preference will be given to applicants with previous marine mammal, zoo, and/or wildlife experience.

Educational Requirements

• Doctoral Degree in Veterinary Medicine

Applicants Should Submit The Following Materials:

1. Cover letter
2. Current resume
3. Contact information for three professional references (at least 2 veterinarians) with current phone number and email address

Applications should be submitted directly to the NMMF website's Career Opportunities page. All application materials must be received no later than July 1, 2026.

The NMMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to improve and protect life for marine mammals, humans, and our shared oceans through science, service, and education. NMMF supports the U.S. Navy's ability to provide exceptional medical care and training of their marine mammals. Additional information about the National Marine Mammal Foundation can be found at Additional information about the position may be obtained by contacting View email address on click.appcast.io.