Forensic Veterinarian

Summary:

The ASPCA Forensic Sciences team supports animal cruelty casework throughout the U.S. by providing forensic services at the request of law enforcement, enabling others to do this work through educational efforts and conducting collaborative and novel research that supports criminal casework.

The Forensic Veterinarian will play a key role on this team serving under the direction of the Senior Director of Veterinary Forensic Sciences at the ASPCA Veterinary Forensic Science Center (AVFSC) in Gainesville, FL. This position will consult internally as well as externally, providing ASPCA veterinary medical expertise on cruelty and neglect for National criminal cases and AVFSC cases as directed by his/her supervisor.  Additionally, this position will collaborate on teaching and research in veterinary forensic sciences.

Due to the nature of the work, this role requires extensive travel (up to 50%), occasionally with short notice, to support case work and the demands of the department. 

Responsibilities:

Provision of forensic sciences services for AVFSC criminal cases (40%)

• Serve as an ASPCA Forensic Veterinarian for AVFSC criminal cases.  Consulting and providing case assistance as necessary.
• Work closely with the Senior Director of Veterinary Forensic Sciences to ensure performance and facilitation of forensic veterinary services for AVFSC criminal cases.
• Assist with planning of AVFSC criminal case responses and participate in scene investigations.
• Serve as an animal medical examiner and provide forensic analysis of evidence (e.g., necropsies).
• Responsible for performing clinical forensic exams, gross necropsies, completing reports for law enforcement, and expert witness testimony, as needed.
• Utilize appropriate chain of custody, evidence transfer and disposition procedure for forensic evidence. 
• Utilize current accepted and standardized scientific procedures for the analysis and reporting for scientific findings.  
• Create and implement veterinary forensic sciences training/education for veterinarians, law enforcement, attorneys, and veterinary students/residents.
• Develop, update, and implement forensic protocols and procedures for AVFSC criminal cases.
• Assist with training, mentoring, and assisting other veterinarians who are involved in AVFSC cases.
• Produce administrative reports and communicate progress updates and status as needed.

Provision of forensic sciences services for National criminal cases (30%)

• Serve as an ASPCA Forensic Veterinarian for national criminal cases.  Consulting and providing case assistance as necessary.
• Work closely with the Senior Director of Veterinary Forensic Sciences to ensure performance and facilitation of forensic veterinary services for national criminal cases.
• Assist with planning of national criminal case responses and participate in scene investigations.
• Serve as an animal medical examiner and provide forensic analysis of evidence (e.g., necropsies).
• Responsible for performing clinical forensic exams, gross necropsies, completing reports for law enforcement, and expert witness testimony, as needed.
• Utilize appropriate chain of custody, evidence transfer and disposition procedure for forensic evidence. 
• Utilize current accepted and standardized scientific procedures for the analysis and reporting for scientific findings.  
• Create and implement veterinary forensic sciences training/education for veterinarians, law enforcement, attorneys, and veterinary students/residents.
• Develop and implement forensic protocols and procedures for national criminal cases.
• Assist with training, mentoring, and assisting other veterinarians who are involved in national criminal cases.
• Produce administrative reports and communicate progress updates and status as needed.

Collaboration on research, teaching and other (30%)

• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Veterinary Forensic Sciences and others on research.
• Lecture at national and regional conferences and provide of other lectures.
• Obtain courtesy faculty appointments, as needed, and develop and teach both graduate and undergraduate courses.
• Contribute to ongoing changes in forensic protocols and procedures.
• Facilitate and assist with the implementation of a veterinary forensic internship/externship program.
• Be available to all ASPCA departments, specifically; ASPCA Animal Hospital, Humane Law Enforcement, Legal Advocacy and Investigations, Cruelty Recovery Center, National Field Response, Legal Department, and Animal Relocation and Placement, to answer any questions or address any concerns regarding animal cruelty.
• Other duties as requested.

Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:

• Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
• Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
• Believes in Team – that we are stronger together
• Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
• Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals

Knowledge & Skill Requirements:

• Familiarity and experience with evidentiary issues related to the prosecution of animal cruelty and neglect cases.
• Experience in animal cruelty and neglect investigations a plus.
• Excellent, organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Detail oriented; organized and willing to take ownership of project-critical tasks in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work on a team as well as independently; ability to lead as well as follow instructions.
• Membership in peer-evaluated veterinary and forensic professional organizations.
• Experience with veterinary issues associated with common types of cruelty including neglect, physical abuse, organized animal abuse, and animal sexual abuse.
• Experience in conducting clinical forensic examinations.
• Experience in conducting forensic necropsies.
• Experience in working cooperatively with law enforcement or other regulatory agencies.
• Experience in evidence handling and analysis.
• Experience in developing education programs and teaching.
• Experience in courtroom testimony in animal cruelty cases a plus.
• Board certification in Pathology a plus.
• Research experience and prior publications a plus.

Additional Information:

• Must be willing to travel on short notice due to the nature of the work. 
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, long days and weekends, if required. 
• License to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Florida. Additional State licensure a plus.
• Willingness to obtain multiple state licenses to practice veterinary medicine.
• Must be able to obtain a certificate or master’s degree in Veterinary Forensics within 3 years of hire. Current certification or degree is a plus.
• Must be based in Florida and available to work from an office in Gainesville.
• As part of the driving requirements of this role, must provide a Department of Transportation Medical Certificate and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history.
• Willing and able to drive trucks, trailers, and other mobile units.

Compensation & Benefits:

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future. 

The target hiring range for this role is $145,000 - $155,000 annually

For more information on our benefits offerings, please check out the ASPCA's Careers website. 

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Qualifications:

See above for qualifications details.

Language: English (Required)

Education and Work Experience:

Doctorate: Veterinary Medicine (Required)

3-5 years’ experience in the practice of veterinary medicine and some formal training in Veterinary Forensic Medicine.

EEO Statement

The ASPCA is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

For more information on your EEO rights under the law, view the EEO Law Notice  and EEO Law Notice Supplement .

The ASPCA will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the ASPCA's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-I.35(c).