Based on our internal equity review process, the starting salary for this position will be $118,767.81 yearly.
To allow for growth and salary progression the full salary range is $118,767.81 - $162,592.85 annually. Employees will have the opportunity to move through the posted range based on annual performance reviews and merit increases.
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is seeking an experienced and dynamic zoo veterinarian to fill our Head Veterinarian position in January 2025. The Head Veterinarian directs all aspects of animal health care and nutrition at the Wildlife Park. This position oversees one full-time clinical veterinary technician, part-time relief veterinarians, and shares supervision of one associate veterinarian who divides their time equally each week between Northwest Trek and our sister facility, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. The Head Veterinarian reports to the Deputy Director of the Park and is a valued and active member of the leadership team. Essential duties include performing all administrative and regulatory management of Trek’s Veterinary Operations while also serving as the primary/sole clinical veterinarian at least 60% of the week. The Head Veterinarian serves an important role in the Animal Management Team as well as NWT’s conservation and research projects. Registrar duties for the Park are shared between the Head Vet, Clinical Vet Tech, and Zoological Curator.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a 725-acre zoological park accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA) and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park (NWT) are sister facilities within the Zoological and Environmental Education Division (ZEED) of MetroParks Tacoma (MPT). We are located 35 miles southeast of Tacoma Washington, and within 30 miles of Mt Rainier National Park.
Northwest Trek features a 435-acre, undivided “free-roaming” exhibit housing over 130 ungulates including moose, elk, caribou, deer, bison, bighorn sheep, and rocky mountain goats. A thorough understanding and practice of herd medicine and population management is critical for this Head Vet position. Our approximately 40-acre, forested “core area” of the Park contains large, natural exhibits in a traditional zoo format. The “core” is home to approximately 50 individuals including ursids, canids, felids, mustelids, procyonids, raptors, and a small number of reptiles and amphibians. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is also home for the Red Wolf Propagation Facility and partners with PDZA and the Red Wolf Veterinary Advisor in the health care of over 40 red wolves. We have a small but mighty zoological crew- including a Zoological Curator, Assistant Curator, 9 fulltime Keepers, and 6 part-time Keepers. We are a warm, inclusive, and close-knit zoological family with equally close relationships with other NWT departments.
Work where you play!
Join our team at Metro Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.

Who We Are
Metro Parks Tacoma (MPT) is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Metro Parks’ mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Why You’ll Love it Here
Come work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Metro Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Metro Parks are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. You’ll receive a competitive wage, along with an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, vacation, holidays, and much more. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Position Information
Directs and oversees all aspects of medical and health care of animals at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the animal collections; and coordinates health related research activities.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.