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Milwaukee County
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Zoo - Associate Veterinarian

VeterinarianFull-Time

Listed compensation

$89k-$100k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Interested in joining Milwaukee County? Milwaukee County is searching for authentic people who are out to change the game and bring their whole selves to work every day.

Milwaukee County oversees operations from our Airport, Behavioral Health, Child Support, Combined Court Operations, Sheriff's Department, Community Reintegration Center, Human Services, Parks, Public Safety, Public Works, Fleet Operations, Transportation, and at the Zoo.

Our departments are also dedicated to our Seniors and those with Disabilities in Aging and Disability Services, and Veterans in Veterans Services. Our employees also remain committed to serving the cultural, human, recreational, and social needs of the entire community.

Milwaukee County offers a wide variety of interesting jobs for people who want to make a difference in our community. Milwaukee County provides a competitive benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If disability related accommodations are needed, please email fmla@milwaukeecountywi.gov. For submitted application inquiries please contact careers@milwaukeecountywi.gov. Please note: an online application must be submitted for consideration.

We are searching for Changemakers to come and join our team and discover our diverse and versatile community of independent spirits and unique talents, we are redefining the way you think about Milwaukee County!

  • Associate­ Veterinarian
  • Milwaukee County Zoo
  • Salary Range: $89,107.20 - $100,000
  • Job Posting will close on 09/11/2026

Job Summary

Assists in the management of the Zoo Animal Health subdivision and associated programs. Participates in the development and implementation of clinical and preventative veterinary programs. As a member of the Animal Management Team, develops and implements Animal Division programs, and, procedures.

Provides mentorship and oversight for the Zoological Medicine and Surgery resident as well as veterinary students. Manages the Commissary and Commissary Animal Nutrition Coordinator. Participates in zoo conservation and research programs. Oversee hospital operations in the absence of the Senior Staff Veterinarian.

Job Responsibilities

Clinical Duties - Assists in developing and implementing the preventive and clinical medicine programs. Provides direct clinical care including, but not limited to, examinations, surgery, diagnostic and regulatory tests, treatments, and lab work interpretation. Coordinates the veterinary medical aspects of animal shipments to and from the zoo. Maintains medical records.

Commissary Management - Manage the Commissary and Commissary Animal Nutrition Coordinator. Assist in diet development and evaluate diets within the park for diet drift and modify them as needed. Monitor Commissary inventory and budget. Identify and prioritize requests for facility maintenance and write purchase specifications for high volume and diverse dietary items in collaboration with the Commissary Animal Nutrition Coordinator. Assess food quality.

General Animal Division Management - As a member of Animal Management Team, participate in establishing animal department procedures, work rules,, and protocols, communicate related activities to zoo staff, research review, facility design and collection planning and management.

Conservation and Research - Manage or participate in zoological conservation, research or breeding programs. Prepare reports and articles for presentation or publication; participate in zoological-related conferences, workshops, seminars and professional development activities.

Staff Leadership - Supervise the work and performance of the hospital staff in the absence of the Senior Staff Veterinarian, providing leadership through motivation, engagement, feedback, support and development. Maximize employee and team effectiveness. Coordinate the recruitment, hiring, orientation, training, and evaluation of the team in conjunction with the Senior Staff Veterinarian. Maintain a positive culture of collaboration, accountability, and respectful behavior

Minimum Requirements

  • Doctor Veterinary Medicine (DVM) - or a VMD degree from an AVMA accredited college or university
  • At least two (2) years or more experience working as a veterinarian in a zoo or wildlife park required
  • WI veterinary license or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire
  • USDA category II accreditation or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire
  • DEA and WI driver’s license or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
  • Cervid and Elephant TB testing certification or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire

Preferred Qualifications

  • ACZM board certification or eligibility
  • Completion of an approved residency in Zoo Veterinary Medicine

NOTE: This position is unclassified and not subject to Civil Service Rules and Regulations. This original application is open to qualified candidates authorized to work in the United States. Appointee must establish Wisconsin State residency within six (6) months of appointment and maintain such residency during incumbency. During the application process please upload your updated resume and cover letter outlining experience.

Milwaukee County is committed to fostering an equitable working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, on the basis of any characteristic protected by law.

We prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy related condition, national origin, age, disability, FMLA status, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, or any other category or status that is now or in the future protected by federal, state, and local law.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing, background checks and pre-employment physicals subject to job requirements. If special accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.

Key Responsibilities

The Associate Veterinarian assists in managing the Zoo Animal Health subdivision, including developing clinical programs and providing direct medical care to animals. They also oversee hospital operations, manage commissary nutrition programs, and provide leadership to veterinary staff and students.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or VMD degree from an AVMA accredited institution and possess at least two years of zoo or wildlife veterinary experience. Additional requirements include a Wisconsin veterinary license, USDA category II accreditation, and DEA registration.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

Conservation programsDiagnostic testingLaboratory work interpretationBudget managementRegulatory testing

Zoological Medicine Career Context

Of the 40 active Veterinarian listings this role was benchmarked against, 73% have no call, 55% require no weekends.

Veterinarian pay on WeekdayDoc is down 6.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Wisconsin is 94.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$95k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $100k in an average-cost state. 60.7% of Wisconsin clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Veterinarian Jobs

18 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution17 jobs · 16 employers

2
<$120k
3
$120k-140k
8
$140k-160k
2
$160k-180k
2
$180k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks17 jobs · 16 employers

Sign-on bonus
76%
401k / retirement match
76%
CME allowance
53%
Relocation assistance
53%
Loan repayment
12%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Veterinarian

Pure Paws Veterinary Care · New York, New York

$160k-$180k
#2

Veterinarian

Veterinary Practice Partners · New York, New York

$160k-$180k
#3

Veterinarian - Ventura, CA

$150k-$175k
#4

Associate Veterinarian - Alliance

up to $170K
+ 16 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.6this job 1.5
Better work-life than 10% of Veterinary listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 4,471 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Milwaukee

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$236k≈ 2.7× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,477/mo≈ 20% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
22 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
96.9
State income tax
Up to 7.7%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

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About Milwaukee County

Government Administration
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive benefit package
Equal Opportunity Employer