Title: State Wildlife Veterinarian
Requisition Id: 3929
Salary: $78,408.00 - $99,876.00
Salary Grade: S12
Job Location: Commission Headquarters (JEFFE1)
Closing Date: June 13, 2025
Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.
To learn more about the job, feel free to contact the hiring supervisor,Sherri W Russell at Sherri.Russell@mdc.mo.gov or at 573-522-4115, during regular business hours. We would love to hear from you!
Summary/Objective
The State Wildlife Veterinarian plans, directs, coordinates, and implements statewide programs for the prevention, detection, control, and management of emerging and known diseases occurring in wildlife and aquatic populations.
Essential Job Duties
- Directs the Department’s development of strategies for prevention, detection, control, and eradication of wildlife diseases.
- Serve as the lead practical veterinarian and One Health Lab Manager.
- Consults and coordinates with the Department’s Aquatic Animal Health Specialist to assess and address disease issues in fish and wildlife populations.
- Monitor wildlife disease patterns and prioritize areas requiring epidemiological investigation.
- Analyzes data using principles of epidemiology and biostatistics to assess effectiveness of wildlife disease surveillance and management measure.
- Propose changes to the Wildlife Code, as needed.
- Act as a liaison with partner agencies and institutions to address concerns about the impact of wildlife diseases on public and domestic animal health.
- Perform necropsies and standard laboratory examinations of wildlife.
- Procures regulated pharmaceuticals for wildlife anesthesia, immobilization and euthanasia
- Distribute and monitor the use of all drugs used in the tranquillization of wild animals.
- Develops and implements agency policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure the safe, humane, and legal capture of wildlife.
- Develops and conducts training required to ensure agency staff can safely and effectively capture dangerous wildlife.
Ancillary Job Duties
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Doctoral Degree in Veterinary Medicine and a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Biology, Fish and Wildlife management, or related.
- Completed residency in wildlife, conservation, or zoological veterinary medicine or 1 year of experience for a state or federal natural resource management agency.
- USDA accreditation.
- Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs certification or eligibility.
- Must maintain a current, valid driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with Department personnel, staff of related state and federal agencies and the public.
- Ability to use diagnostic equipment and tools associated with fish pathology and epidemiology.
- Knowledge and ability to conduct surgeries and necropsies.
- Knowledge and ability to collect, process, and submit appropriate specimens.
- Knowledge to interpret findings from wildlife morbidity and mortality investigations.
- Ability to travel and stay overnight on occasion.
- Ability to work varying hours and shifts.
Work Environment
- Regularly work in a standard office environment.
- Occasionally exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.
- Occasionally perform in outdoor weather where hot, cold, wet, and/or humid conditions are possible.
Physical Abilities
- Maintain a stationary position for approximately 70% of the duration of work tasks.
- Ability to move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
- Constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery and occasionally relocate machinery to other areas.
- Ability to frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
- Clarity of vision and three-dimensional vision- ability to judge distance and space relationships.
- Regularly life up to 5 pounds, correctly lift up to 50 pounds.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.
Exemption Status/Special Notes
This position has been determined to be Exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.
Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.
MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.
The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.
Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.
All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.
Nearest Major Market: Jefferson City
Nearest Secondary Market: Columbia Missouri