Veterinarian Full-Time

Job Title: Veterinarian 3 or 2

Department: Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC)

Status: Full Time, Regular, Exempt

Pay: $77,543 – $97,517  (DOQ) 

Reports to: Director of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Benefits: Full Benefits eligible including health insurance, flex benefits, SmartDollar membership,10 paid holidays, vacation and sick leave accrual, amenities and parking pass.

Retirement: State Employee Retirement System - GSEPS (Pension plus matching 401k)

Closing Date: 4:00pm Friday November 21, 2025

Note:  Applicants who do not meet the requirements for the Veterinarian 3 role may be considered for Veterinarian 2, position requirements are listed below.  (Pay range for Vet 3 $77,543 - $97,517.  Pay range for Vet 2 $68,309 - $79,543.)

To Apply:  Fill out the application completely and attach your resume and cover letter.  Incomplete applications or applications without accompanying documents when required will not be considered.  Applicants are highly encouraged to include and communicate their relevant skills and experiences for this role. 

Jekyll Island is dedicated to maintaining the delicate balance between nature and humankind through conservation, education, and preservation. Surrounded by salt marshes, expansive oceanfront, and ancient maritime forests, it is situated within the chain of the Golden Isles and just a few miles from St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Brunswick. As a State Park, Jekyll Island is a coastal haven where nature and humans peacefully co-exist. 

Job Summary:
Utilizing broad objectives and guidelines, Veterinarian 3 ensures appropriate care for all animals entrusted to the center and contributes to quality programming in research, rehabilitation, and education. The Veterinarian 3 may serve as a mentor to other Veterinarians, the rehabilitation and education teams and veterinary externs. This position balances the missions of the Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) through conceptual and “hands-on” leadership in the disciplines of veterinary medicine in a team environment.      

Description:

• Oversees veterinary care for the resident Center collection and patients. This includes regular examinations, diagnosing and devising therapies (surgical, prescription) for diseases and injuries, reviewing clinical pathology reports and patient charts, necropsies, as well as managing caseload and treatments in coordination with GADNR and partner institutions.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal agency standards on animal care, research and ethics.  This includes maintaining required permits and licenses (GADNR, DEA, USFWS), supervising the use and storage of controlled substances, and daily monitoring of animal welfare. 
• Provides high quality medical and surgical care for injured and ill wildlife presented to GSTC; provides 24/7 on call emergency care and ensures adequate veterinary coverage when unavailable.
• Provides medical, surgical and routine veterinarian care for all education ambassador animals and collaborates with conservation department to provide veterinarian care for conservation research programs.
• Serves as a mentor and role model to other Veterinarians and Rehabilitation Team providing clinical guidance, professional development, leadership, and collaborative learning.
• Engage with staff to enhance learning through open case review and decision discussions.
• Engage with guests to enhance their experience by facilitating discussion and explanation of veterinary procedures conducted in public areas of the hospital and the public viewing window.  
• Adheres to departmental practices, procedures, and training of staff, volunteers and interns.  This includes animal capture and restraint, examinations, treatments, prescription dispensing, transport, etc. and the regular review and revision of procedures as per best practices in the field.
• Collaborates with Director of GSTC to develop and maintain relationships with schools of veterinary medicine at various universities in providing training and GSTC opportunities. Oversee the selection, teaching and oversight of mentorship and veterinary externship programs.
• Supervises the generation, maintenance, and accuracy of all medical and necropsy records. This includes drug inventories, daily reports, diagnostic and laboratory analyses, research, and clinical data required for welfare and permit documentation, and database systems.
• Maintains controlled drug records, ensures appropriate biomaterials disposal and radiation safety.
• Ability to conduct general fundraising and grant acquisition, pursuing sea turtle and related conservation efforts as a representative of the GSTC.
• Collaborates with Director of GSTC to develop and maintain professional working relationships with government/overseeing agencies, and other aquarium, zoological, wildlife and research facilities.  
• Contributes subject matter knowledge and expertise to public outreach, educational programming, and research of the GSTC, JIA Conservation, and other JIA departments.  Serves as the spokesperson for veterinary related topics for the GSTC.
• Participates in required JIA training and obtains appropriate continuing education and professional development.
• Performs other duties as assigned to meet departmental and organizational goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must possess, and maintain in good standing, a valid State of Georgia Veterinary Medicine license within the first three months of employment.

• Ability to acquire Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) registration to prescribe and purchase controlled substances.

Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, ability to communicate to a diverse range of audiences and settings.

Excellent interpersonal skills along with the ability to resolve conflicts.

Ability to make decisions, provide instruction and achieve results with hospital staff.

Ability to provide skills training and coaching to hospital staff, vet students, interns, etc.

Professional demeanor and appearance.

• Ability to work after hours, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Must be able to travel for work related responsibilities including conferences, seminars, and workshops.
• Must have valid driver’s license
• Must successfully complete background check.

Qualifications for Veterinarian 3: 

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree from accredited college of veterinarian medicine required.
• Completion of an ACZM approved post graduate zoo medicine residency program, may consider any combination of experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ current and related experience with at least two (2) years clinical experience with sea turtle rehabilitation medicine is required.
• ACVP reptile or ACZM board certification desired.
• Knowledge and experience with aquatic animal medicine and surgery is preferred.
• Experience working with wildlife, including crocodilians and venomous snakes

Qualifications for Veterinarian 2:

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree from an accredited college of veterinarian medicine required.

One (1) to four (4) years of related experience, including clinical experience with sea turtle rehabilitation medicine required.

Knowledge and experience with aquatic animal medicine and surgery is preferred.

Experience working with crocodilians and venomous snakes.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

• Exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds constantly to move objects.
• More than 50% of the typical workday will be spent reaching, lifting and repetitive use of wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Between 25 and 50% of the day will be spent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and pulling.   
• Less than 25% of the day will be spent climbing, standing, sitting, walking, and feeling.
• Sensory abilities required include vision, hearing and touching with more than 50% of the day spent communicating, talking and hearing.  
• Must have visual clarity to determine accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures.     
• Work will be performed both inside and outside.  Work is subject to extreme cold and extreme heat and high humidity.  Work includes exposure to vibrations, hazards, infectious diseases, and required to wear a respirator.   
• Noise level is considered normal to loud, may require shouting.

This description of job responsibilities is intended to reflect the major responsibilities and duties of the job but is not intended to describe minor duties or other responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.
 
This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.  Applicants who complete the online application process will receive an email receipt of submission to the email address provided.  If the email confirmation is not received, applicants may contact Human Resources at 912-635-4024 for confirmation; however, due to the volume of applicants received, we cannot provide information on application status after receipt.  Applicants who need assistance to accommodate a disability may request accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 912-635-4024. 
 
All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Incomplete applications or applications without accompanying documents when required will not be considered.  Selected applicants will be contacted for the next steps in the selection process. Successful completion of background checks is required, including credit when applicable to the position.  Relocation expenses are not authorized; applicants should consider this when applying.  
 
Jekyll Island Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Authority supports equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.  The Jekyll Island is a Drug-free Workplace.