Zoo Hospital Manager (Full Time

Summary: The Zoo Hospital Manager is responsible for administrative and practice management for the Veterinary Department. This position provides direct leadership to Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants, ensuring animal care, medical support, administrative functions, and hospital operations are completed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with established standards and regulatory requirements.

Summary:

The Zoo Hospital Manager is responsible for administrative and practice management for the Veterinary Department. This position provides direct leadership to Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants, ensuring animal care, medical support, administrative functions, and hospital operations are completed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with established standards and regulatory requirements.

As a key member of the hospital leadership team, the Zoo Hospital Manager fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement by promoting effective communication within the veterinary team and across departments, supervising personnel, managing performance, resolving conflict professionally, and developing/upholding efficient systems that support exceptional patient care, employee engagement, and organizational success.

• Provides administrative oversight and expertise to the Veterinary Services Department (including but not limited to:
• Purchasing and ordering.
• Inventory management of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, equipment and consumables.
• Invoice processing & budget tracking.
• Preventative maintenance scheduling & service contracts for medical equipment.
• Identifies operational inefficiencies and leads continuous improvement initiatives to improve workflow, communication, safety, and service delivery.
• Management of hospital safety programs including OSHA compliance, hazardous waste disposal, radiation safety, biosecurity and infection control.
• Administrative support for recruitment, onboarding, training documentation and employee performance processes.
• Oversees the daily operational flow of veterinary technicians and assistants ensuring efficient scheduling and resource allocation.
• Submits and coordinates work tickets for facility, including appropriate prioritization and follow up.
• Coordinates veterinary support for animal shipments and research requests.
• Coordinates facility tours, guest and visitor requests.
• Follows established protocols for controlled drug purchase and tracking.
• Meets with regulatory agencies and participates in inspections.
• Assists with the documentation, development and implementation of the preventive medicine programs.
• Familiar with regulatory compliance with USDA, DEA, state veterinary regulations, AZA accreditation standards, and institutional policies.
• Interacts with and maintains contacts with numerous departments and team members in order to respond to inquiries and requests.
• Ability and willingness to assist with either laboratory and/or husbandry duties as needed based on staffing.

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (or equivalent years experience in the field).
• At least five years of relevant experience (either as Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant/Zookeeper).
• Must be solution-oriented, finding creative solutions for complex challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to unite individuals with diverse expertise around a shared vision and common goals.
• Excellent facilitation, as well as communication, skills – both oral and written.

• Experience in veterinary operations and personnel management is beneficial.
• Registered veterinary technician or experienced husbandry professional is desirable.

• Leadership and team development.
• Conflict resolution.
• Change management.
• Project management.
• Written and oral communication Proficiency.
• Proficient in MS Office and medical record keeping software & systems.
• Records and reports creation and management.
• Problem solving/analysis.
• Stress management/composure.
• Emotional intelligence.

Supervises Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants through coaching, scheduling, performance management, conflict resolution, employee development, and accountability.

Reports to Chief Zoological Officer.

Full-time salary positions are defined as positions scheduled to work approximately 40 hours a week. Scheduling is at the discretion of the manager to fit the needs of the role. Position regularly requires flexible hours including weekdays, holidays, and weekends. Must have flexibility to respond to and be on-site for after-hour medical emergencies.

This position is considered exempt under the federal and state wage and hour laws.

While performing the duties of the job, the employee will primarily operate in a mixed work environment that includes both the animal hospital and zoo grounds. Time will be split between indoor hospital…