Veterinary Faculty - Large Animal - Animal Care Manager (St Kitts)

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

• This position is an in-person job opportunity located on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts.

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), St Kitts is seeking a veterinarian who will be responsible for the oversight of the day-to-day veterinary care, management and husbandry of all RUSVM owned animals on campus, teaching small groups of veterinary students animal husbandry and handling.  In addition, there would be the opportunity to develop an academic career, with options to take on some didactic sessions (for example : "Feeding healthy animals" lectures).

RUSVM offers a unique AVMA-accredited program of training on the island of St. Kitts, West Indies. A cutting-edge curriculum, with innovative use of technologies and simulations, provides the best possible training for tomorrow's veterinarians. Students benefit from seven semesters of preclinical studies at our beautiful St Kitts campus, and one year of clinical training at our affiliate veterinary teaching hospitals in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe.  The St Kitts campus houses approximately 400 head, predominantly sheep, cattle, donkeys, dogs and horses.  In addition, there is some input into exotic species (predominantly Chelonia), birds, fish, cats and rodents.  The successful candidate would report directly to the attending veterinarian and Head of Department of Clinical Sciences.   They would be responsible for the day-to-day management of the animal resources team and work closely with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

Job Description

Position Responsibilities :

Serve as the primary veterinarian responsible for first-line medical care of all animals on campus. Collaborate with the Attending Veterinarian (AV) and RUSVM clinical faculty to ensure 24 / 7 veterinary coverage, including participation in an on-call rotation (approximately 1 in 5 weeks during the semester) and coverage during semester breaks. Time off is to be scheduled outside of these periods, except for the three-week winter break, during which coverage is required once every three years.

Supervise and train student assistants (ACT and Student+) in the daily care and feeding of university-owned animals, ensuring adherence to IACUC-approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Oversee the management and maintenance of all RUSVM animal facilities and housing, working in coordination with IACUC to ensure regulatory compliance.

Manage feeding protocols and feed procurement processes, updating them as necessary.

Maintain and update SOPs related to animal husbandry to ensure animals meet all requirements for research and teaching assignments.

Procure all necessary supplies for herd health, including feed, medications, nutritional supplements, dewormers, and vaccines, from approved vendors.

Conduct vendor management and quality assurance for services such as forage supply, farrier care, waste removal, and welding.

Coordinate and manage the calendar for all animal use in teaching and research, ensuring alignment with IACUC-approved rest periods and protocol guidelines.

Ensure accurate and up-to-date recordkeeping, including animal medical records in ProVet Cloud, IACUC protocols for research and teaching, rest periods, club and teaching requests, SOP documentation, and records of adverse events involving RUSVM animals.

Work closely with IACUC to promote animal welfare and ensure compliance with institutional policies, protocols, and SOPs.

Lead and manage the Animal Resources team, providing supervision and direction.

Oversee the safe and humane procurement and transportation of animals to and from campus.

Ensure that Principal Investigators (PIs) maintain current, approved protocols through periodic renewals.

Maintain readily accessible emergency contact information and SOPs for authorized personnel.

Deliver practical teaching sessions on animal handling and care for early-semester students.

Manage the adoption programs for retired dogs and donkeys, as well as the sales program for retired sheep and cattle.

Maintain consistent communication with the Attending Veterinarian regarding routine updates, concerns, illnesses, or euthanasia decisions.

Perform other duties as assigned.

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority.

Qualifications

A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree is required.

Candidates from both private practice and academic backgrounds will be considered; however, preference will be given to those with experience overseeing the care of large populations of animals across various domestic species.

Preferred candidates will have a strong, solutions-oriented approach to managing and supporting budgetary requirements, including the evaluation and improvement of current and past operational practices.

Several years of hands-on experience in organizing, monitoring, and maintaining animal health, husbandry, utilization, and record tracking.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the nutritional and husbandry needs of multiple species, including donkeys, dogs, sheep, horses, cattle, and exotic animals (including rodents). Specific knowledge in either small / exotic animals or large animals is preferred, depending on the supervisory role.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively manage team dynamics and collaborate with external stakeholders to drive productivity and resolve issues.

Additional Information

Equal Opportunity – Minority / Female / Disability / V / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation