Wildlife Veterinary Specialist

This position serves as the Veterinary Specialist responsible for Statewide Wildlife Health Examinations and Research and the Department’s Chemical Immobilization Program. This position performs identification and management of factors affecting the health and wellbeing of wildlife within the State of Michigan. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: development, implementation, and evaluation of disease surveillance and management plans; review and development of and participation in wildlife handling procedures and animal welfare oversight; provision of subject matter expertise and partner collaborations on issues affecting wildlife, human, and domestic animal health; capture and immobilization of wildlife within Michigan; review and development of and participation in necropsy procedures in laboratory and field environments; development and evaluation of occupational safety procedures related to wildlife disease; interpretation and evaluation of wildlife veterinary research. This position possesses the authority to countermand decisions regarding animal welfare and chemical immobilization. The Veterinary Specialist must also shut down activities on the lab floor and field programs if actions are unsafe for the animal, staff, or the work isn't following approved protocol. The Wildlife Veterinary Specialist has advanced academic training and experience in applying veterinary and necropsy principles and methods in wildlife health programs and can independently perform assignments with minimal supervisory guidance. The position requires possession of a license to practice veterinary medicine in Michigan and possession of state and federal controlled substances licenses, or the ability to obtain such licensures. Training to obtain the chemical immobilization certification and a firearm certification are also required.

Position Description (Download PDF reader)

About DNR Wildlife Division
The Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. We strive to protect natural and cultural resources, ensure sustainable recreation use and enjoyment, enable strong natural resource-based economies, improve, and build strong relationships and partnerships, and foster effective business practices and good governance. 
 
Wildlife Division operations follow a Guiding Principles and Strategy approach to prioritize our work through collaborative, scientific management of wildlife resources.

Required Education and Experience

Education
Possession of a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine. 

Experience
Three years of professional experience equivalent to a Veterinarian P11, two years equivalent to a Veterinarian 12, or one year equivalent to a Veterinary Specialist 13. 

Additional Requirements and Information

Please attach a cover letter, resume, official college transcripts, and three professional references to your application. In addition, please provide one example of a written item you have produced during the past year.  This can include a letter to stakeholders, report, presentation, speech, internal memo, or other correspondence you deem appropriate.  The item should provide the evaluation committee with a good illustration of your writing skills and an example of a job-related issue you have dealt with in your previous position demonstrating your skills as an effective manager. 

Information provided in your application, resume, cover letter, transcripts, writing assignment and any other documentation provided will be used to verify responses to the supplemental questions. Unsupported responses may not be considered further.

If applicable, you must attach an electronic and/or scanned copy of your official college/university transcripts. For our purposes, "Official Transcripts" must contain the college/university name and address, the degree conferred and date granted, coursework completed (especially if no degree granted), and the Registrar's signature and/or seal.

Your application for any position does not guarantee that you will be contacted by the Department/Agency for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results.      

Possession of a license to practice veterinary medicine in Michigan will be required. 

NOTE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

View the entire job specification at:  https://www.michigan.gov/mdcs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdcs/JOBSPECS/V/VeterinarianSpecialist.pdf (Download PDF reader)