Veterinarian

Veterinarian

Sweet Briar is a liberal arts college for women with a long history of forging female leaders.  Sweet Briar College is repeatedly named by the US News and World Report as one of the most innovative liberal arts colleges in the nation. Sweet Briar College is financially stable and actively growing, attracting students who are drawn to it for its excellent liberal arts program, coupled with distinctive programs in women leadership, engineering, sustainability, arts and its legendary equestrian program.

Located in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains approximately 12 miles north of Lynchburg and 54 miles south of Charlottesville. Its campus is one of the nation’s most spectacular, replete with nature sanctuaries, lakes, forests, trails, and most recently, vineyards, apiary and greenhouses.

The College boasts a modern core curriculum focused on women's leadership in the 21st century and undergraduate programs in the arts, sciences and humanities, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching. It is one of only two women’s colleges in the United States with an ABET-accredited engineering degree. The women’s leadership core curriculum is innovative and energizing.

When students graduate, they are persuasive communicators who know how to think on their feet and bring people together. No matter what they study or where they go, Sweet Briar women are prepared to lead. The campus community is a family of faculty, staff, coaches, and alumnae who support and encourage students and each other. With an average class size of eight students, students lead research, ask questions and forge supportive relationships with faculty that can last for decades.

Veterinarian

Classification:  Exempt, Full-time, benefits eligible

Reports To:  Director of Riding and STEM Division Head

Job Summary/Objective: 

The veterinarian will oversee the health and well-being of the College’s 55 horses.  The veterinarian would work directly with students during the care of College horses, providing opportunities for shadowing and hand-on experience when appropriate.  The College will provide office space, an examination room, treatment area, and isolation stalls.  Whether the College or the successful candidate provides other equipment (e.g. ultrasound) will be negotiable.  Options to pursue work outside of the bounds of the position will be discussed and negotiated at the time of hiring, e.g. taking on off-campus clients or horses or other animals belonging to students as clients.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Oversee the health and well-being of the College’s horses. 
• Routinely provide annual vaccinations, maintenance, soundness assessments, and preventative care, and emergency response on an on-call basis (this would not include surgical or specialty needs).  
• Teach 4-7 credit hours per year of coursework (a combination of 3-credit and 1-credit courses) starting in Year 2 of the position, with a reduced teaching expectation in Year 1.  
  • Courses should include animal nutrition, animal science, and medical/veterinary terminology, with the option to develop other courses such as equine biology or parasitology.  These courses will support pre-veterinary students, as well as the biology major and equestrian certificate programs, and students with a general equine or large animal interest.  
• Assist with advising pre-veterinary students.
• Supervise student projects as needed.
• Present workshops and/or talks to the College equestrian and general student communities, as well as to prospective students.   
• Performs related work as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• DVM or equivalent degree and at least 3 years’ experience working with equine clients.
• Valid Virginia Veterinary Board License in good standing.
• Commitment to teaching and working with undergraduate students.
• High level of comfort with computers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teaching experience.

• Capacity to provide own ultrasound, x-ray, endoscopic equipment, etc.
• Knowledge of the evaluation and care of competitive sport horses.

Work Environment:

• Some exposure to large animals, disease and illness, unpleasant odors, inclement weather conditions, and works outdoors as well in an office or classroom setting.

Physical Demands:

• The job duties may require an employee to lift and/or move heavy objects up to 50 lbs.
• Frequent walking, bending, standing, sitting, stooping, and squatting.

Travel:

• Up to 5%, as needed.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Deadline for Submission: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

To Apply:  Submit your application here.

All applications should include a cover letter and CV, candidates must also provide the names and full contact information for three professional references.