ZOOLOGICAL AND VETERINARY DIRECTOR (M/F)

The Parc Animalier d'Auvergne is a sanctuary dedicated to endangered species, a member of EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) and AFdPZ (French Association of Zoological Parks). With the Horizon 2028 project, the Park is committing to a collection composed of 100% endangered species. This is the project you will lead regarding its animal and veterinary aspects.

YOUR ROLE

Reporting directly to the General Management, you are the guarantor of the well-being and proper management of the entire animal collection, and you manage the two teams dedicated to animals: the animal team and the animal welfare team. You are or will become the keeper for several species, jointly with the President of the Park.

YOUR MISSIONS

• Manage and lead the animal and animal welfare teams.
• Ensure veterinary care: physical and chemical restraint, anesthesia, surgery, autopsies, prophylaxis, and medical follow-up.
• Create and enforce quarantine protocols and maintain medical follow-up records (ZIMS medical).
• Manage the collection: animal transfers, relations with partner parks, European breeding programs (EEP).
• Perform the registrar function: regulatory registers, CERFA marking, I-FAP, ZIMS-SPECIES 360, AKONGO, PADACARES.
• Be or become the keeper for a certain number of species to be defined together.
• Organize and control the safety of facilities, animals, and visitors, and ensure security on-call duties (firearms and hypodermic guns).
• Contribute to the Park's communication (media, social networks) and lead activities with the public.
• Manage the budget for your departments: food, enrichment, veterinary, transfers, animal investments.

REQUIRED PROFILE

Indispensable

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, registered with the Ordre des vétérinaires (or eligible for registration in France).
• Sanitary veterinarian authorization to be obtained upon taking office.
• Holder of the certificate of capacity for the public presentation of callitrichids, chelonians, giant anteaters, and European mink, or capable of obtaining it within 12 months.
• Experience with wildlife in captivity: zoological park, sanctuary, care center, or equivalent for at least 3 years.
• Fluent professional English (EAZA exchanges, EEP, international transfers).
• Aptitude and willingness to undergo shooting certifications (firearms and hypodermic guns).
• Driver's license (Permis B).

Appreciated

• Experience in team management (direct supervision of keepers and/or animal welfare leads).
• Mastery of ZIMS (Species360 and Medical) and knowledge of regulations.
• Participation in a European breeding program (EEP) or an in situ conservation program.
• Comfort with public speaking and media appearances.

Expected soft skills: benevolent leadership, composure in emergency situations, documentary rigor, sense of teamwork, passion for public education, and decision-making ability.

CONDITIONS

• Contract: CDI, Executive status (Cadre) on a flat-rate basis (National collective agreement for private zoological parks and gardens open to the public, IDCC 7017).
• Work location: Parc Animalier d'Auvergne, Route d'Anzat, Ardes-sur-Couze (63) - also interventions at the Manoir des Rêves Sauvages, Parentignat (63).
• Remuneration: 33 to 35 K€ depending on experience.
• Start date: December 7, 2026, or January 4, 2027.
• Terms: work on Sundays and public holidays according to the schedule, participation in security on-call duties, travel in France and abroad (conferences, training, animal transfers).

APPLICATION

Applications must be submitted exclusively on the site padarecrute.fr before September 30, 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; interviews take place at the Park and include a visit to the animal and veterinary facilities.