Over the past 50 years, The International Crane Foundation (ICF) has grown from the dream of two college students to a world-renowned conservation effort to save the world’s cranes and the flyways and habitats they frequent. Our global mission includes work in over 50 countries to save cranes and their habitats. The successful candidate will be a dedicated wildlife veterinarian and scientist. The incumbent will participate in several important partnerships including working with USFWS for the recovery of Whooping Cranes, providing expertise, partnership and collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Veterinary School and provide scientific expertise to various regional leaders in countries that we work in. A proven track record in veterinary care of wildlife in human care is essential along with scientific expertise in research and field work.
What is it like to work at ICF? Prepare to be surrounded by people who are passionate for our mission, dedicated to the organization, and engaged with their fellow staff and associates. You will find dedication in all levels of the organization from staff and volunteers to our dedicated Board Members. You will play a critical role in promoting and expanding our mission across the U.S. and 55 countries around the world. The position is located in Baraboo, WI and a response time of within 1-hour to the campus in Baraboo will be required.
Position Summary:
The Director of Conservation Medicine supports the mission of the International Crane Foundation (ICF) through the application of specialized veterinary medical and diagnostic services, scientific research, and mentorship. The incumbent oversees the avian health program for captive cranes on site and provides guidance on health-related issues for wild crane populations. The Director of Conservation Medicine develops and implements research projects and outreach in collaboration with ICF global staff, partners, and stakeholders across numerous fields, striving for improved welfare of cranes, people, and landscapes. This position supervises the ICF Veterinary Technician/Registrar as well as the residents and interns that are part of the Wisconsin Zoological Medicine Residency and Internship Programs.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The position performs these duties on a regular basis. Actual day-to-day assignments may differ.
- Develop and implement a preventive health and clinical medicine program, perform medical procedures including surgery, diagnostic and regulatory tests, treatments, and necropsy analysis; ensure compliance with laws; maintain medical records.
- Work collaboratively with the Curator of Birds and Aviculture staff to maintain positive animal care and welfare for 100+ cranes, participate in establishing animal care procedures, policies and protocols, assist with animal welfare assessments.
- Provide veterinary medical opinion and guidance to field staff on issues related to wildlife diseases and animal health.
- Develop and implement research projects that pertain to wildlife medicine, One Health initiatives, and applicable topics that benefit the conservation of captive and wild crane species.
- Develop, implement, and track the Conservation Medicine annual budget, provide sound financial management of grants received, and provide routine reconciliation of all accounts to maintain balanced budgets.
- Work in partnership with University Wisconsin Zoological Medicine Program. Provide expertise and knowledge when needed.
Other Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manage post-graduate training at ICF within the Wisconsin Zoological Medicine Residency and Internship Program. This includes selecting candidates, ICF budget coordination, mentoring and training residents and interns, weekly topic rounds, and project and manuscript development.
- Investigate diseases to assess risk to cranes and other wildlife populations, in particular novel and zoonotic diseases that may also affect humans and domestic species.
- Develop and disseminate disease-related information to staff and partners as it relates to wildlife health.
- Function as a liaison with federal and state agencies, external partners, and global regional experts as it pertains to wildlife health and disease.
- Work collaboratively with ICF’s regional leaders, Animal Care, and North America Program staff to further conservation medicine goals.
- Work in partnership with Grant Officers and Development on fundraising. Participate actively in these activities and be available for donor interactions.
- Provide leadership for Whooping Crane health and research, including but not limited to, serving as Chair of the Whooping Crane Health Advisory Team.
Core Competencies:
- Teamwork — Supports, facilitates, and participates in activities that promote team effectiveness; demonstrates sensitivity for the attitudes and needs of team members and supports team goals.
- Professional/Technical Knowledge and Competency — Keep informed of animal health and veterinary best practices and provide updated information to the COO, Conservation Medicine and Aviculture staff, and Regional Global program leaders.
- Communication (Written & Oral) — Effectively expresses ideas verbally and non-verbally and actively listens to individuals and groups; prepares and focuses presentations to the characteristics and needs of the audience; strong writing skills for research and technical report publication.
- Integrity/Trust — Maintains social, ethical, and organizational values and norms; builds trust and confidence with the staff and with internal and external customers; respects the confidentiality of personal and proprietary information.
- Diversity and Inclusion – Demonstrates behaviors that encompass fairness, respect, inclusiveness, empathy, integrity, and ethical conduct. Fosters a climate and culture in which each person is accepted and has the opportunity to grow and develop.
- Planning and organizing — Establishes a course of action with specific long-range goals for the Conservation Medicine Department of ICF; sets priorities among competing requirements and allocates resources in the most efficient and effective way; develops contingency plans that anticipate changes in the work environment.
- Coordinating — Organizes and moves individuals, groups, and/or activities toward a common goal.
- Experience – Demonstrated experience working with avian species in a veterinary capacity, both in captive settings as well as field environments. Ability to conduct research projects in both captive and field settings with a track record of publishing the results.
Qualifications Required:
- Current or temporary Wisconsin Veterinary License, or have passed the National Board Exam and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT), or the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) and are eligible for a temporary Wisconsin Veterinary license.
- Advanced degree (e.g., MS, MPH, or PhD) preferred in public health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, or relevant conservation discipline and/or proven track record of research and publications in the areas of public health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, or relevant conservation discipline.
- Experience in detecting and diagnosing animal diseases; developing disease control procedures.
- Eligibility for USDA accreditation, and a DEA controlled substance license and Special Use Authorization from the Wisconsin Controlled Substance Board.
- Acceptable valid state driver’s license.
- Ability to travel at least 10-20% of the time, within Wisconsin, domestically, and possibly outside of U.S. occasionally, and to be accessible outside of normal business hours.
Physical Abilities and Work Environment:
The physical abilities and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to operate computer and phones.
- Ability to work at workstation for 5-7 hours a day.
- Occasionally required to lift and move items up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to travel in state and out of country.
- Ability to conduct field work and treat animals in outdoor environments, both on site and in field environments, in all types of weather.
To apply send cover letter, with salary goals, and resume to icfjobs@savingcranes.org. Please list subject: Director of Conservation Medicine.
“ICF is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. We hire great people.”
ICF is an equal opportunity employer.