Director of International Wildlife Training

The Smithsonian Institution, in partnership with the Morris Animal Foundation, is advertising for the Morris Animal Foundation and Dennis and Connie Keller Director of Training (DOT).  The Director of Training will be responsible for national and international training programs in the broad field of wildlife veterinary medicine including, but not limited to, the educational management of students, interns, post-doctoral students, and international veterinarians and professionals. The position is located within the Global Health Program of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.

The Global Health team is a dynamic group of wildlife veterinarians, public health scientists, and conservation biologists who work collaboratively with GIS specialists, reproductive physiologists, physicians, and molecular diagnosticians to combat threats to wildlife, human, and ecosystem health through disease investigation, research, and both national and international capacity building.  The successful applicant will be a vital member of our team to lead the international training and capacity building efforts through participation and guidance of workshops and multidisciplinary training programs in Africa and Asia.

The Director of Training will be responsible for developing and managing new projects, establishing and building on new collaborations, and securing grants, contracts, or other sources of financial support necessary to continue international capacity building.  Therefore, the successful applicant must have experience working under challenging field conditions with a demonstrated aptitude for creative problem solving and working through logistical challenges.  The Director of Training will be expected to be proactive in developing collaborations both within the Smithsonian Institution, working with multiple disciplines, and externally to strengthen current projects and develop new research projects that fit with the mission and direction of the SGHP. The position will be based out of the National Zoological Park in Washington DC, with travel limited to needs for program development and dependent on funding obtained by the applicant. 

Principle Responsibilities:

1. Develop and monitor program goals, institutional and international collaborations, and national and international training programs with policies and procedures to guide participants
2. Build national and international capacity for wildlife health and training projects.This includes training post-doctoral fellows, students at various levels, interns, technicians and/or investigators both at a national and international level, including applicants from developing nations. Training tasks will include but are not limited to: guiding students and professionals through the research process, data collation and analysis, manuscript preparation and publication, and formal presentations; development of student- and professional-level training programs and courses both locally and internationally; and leading outreach and visibility events.
3. Obtain financial support to conduct studies and training in veterinary medicine and conservation in the USA and internationally, while developing and managing budgets for training programs.Ensures that an annual budget proposal and expenditure plan is developed and monitors spending of assigned trust funds (grants/contracts, gifts, etc.).
4. Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals and through oral presentations to scientific colleagues as well as to lay audiences, while guiding trainees and ensuring their familiarity and activity in peer-review publication process.This may include participation in national and international conferences and training sessions to gather and disseminate scientific knowledge related to GHP’s field veterinary programs.
5. Serve as liaison and coordinates with central SI offices on jointly managed programs and overall SI policy and procedures.Serve as GHP representative on SI’s Academic Appointment Council.Advises GHP staff on intern, fellows and academic appointment policies and practices; assures compliance with SI guidelines for research collaborator/associate appointments.Assures that stipends, identification credentials, computer training and other administrative requirements are met.
6. Perform other duties as assigned by the GHP Director.
7. Contingent on alignment with programmatic goals and depending on the applicant’s skillset and interests, the Director of Training will have the opportunity to conduct their own research in the fields of One Health and conservation medicine; they will be expected to secure their own funding and resources in pursuing these research objectives.
8. Optional clinical veterinary work.

This role requires the following competence:

1. A strong aptitude and disposition for teaching and training post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, interns, undergraduate students, and visiting scientists (including from developing nations) is mandatory.
2. The successful applicant must be well-versed in fundamental and applied clinical veterinary medicine in domestic and wild animal species, as well as an in-depth knowledge of current conservation needs. A degree in veterinary medicine (DVM/VMD) or equivalent with experience conducting research and training in developing countries is required.
3. Have the ability and experience in communicating and working across disciplines, as well as extensive prior publications in well-respected scientific journals.
4. The applicant must consistently be able to obtain financial support through writing proposals and receiving grants from peer-reviewed sources as well as the private sector.
5. The successful applicant must have the skill and ability to supervise employees as well as be a leader in highly complex, collaborative studies involving partner institutions and individuals nationwide and abroad.

Please send a statement of career goals, CV, and contact information for 3 professional references to Dr. Brad Ryan by June 1st, 2019 at RyanB@si.edu

Please note that this is a 5 year trust Position, with the potential for extension depending on program success.

Salary $96,970.00 + benefits