Head Veterinarian - Work in the Bolivian Jungle with rescued wildlife

JOB DESCRIPTION

Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi (CIWY), a Bolivian NGO with over 30 years of experience in rescuing, rehabilitating, and caring for wild animals, is seeking a veterinarian for the Ambue Ari and Jacj Cuisi wildlife sanctuaries. These sanctuaries rehabilitate animal victims of illegal trafficking, deforestation, and other threats.

• Ambue Ari specializes in the care of felines (jaguars, pumas, ocelots), birds, howler and night monkeys, and small mammals. It typically has around 15–20 staff members plus 15–50 volunteers.
• Jacj Cuisi specializes in primates (spider monkeys, capuchins, squirrel monkeys, white-fronted capuchins), coatis, and other small mammals. It typically has around 10–14 staff members plus 2–15 volunteers.

Although the position is based at one sanctuary, travel to the organization's other sanctuaries may be required to support veterinary duties.

Work at CIWY is diverse and dynamic—no two days are alike. As the Head Veterinarian, you will be responsible for the health of the animals at the sanctuary, including preventive and curative medicine (fecal exams, blood work, ultrasound, X-ray, anesthesia, surgery, etc.), receiving and treating injured animals, neonate care, drafting reports, mentoring students, overseeing diets, environmental enrichment and enclosure maintenance, supervising volunteers, and supporting community education and outreach. Working at CIWY is a transformative experience offering the opportunity to actively contribute to animal welfare, conservation, and nature protection in Bolivia.

In general, the daily workload focuses more on preventive medicine and ensuring quality of life for the sanctuary's animals than on receiving sick animals or performing anesthesia/surgery.

INTRODUCTION – ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi is a Bolivian NGO composed of a team of local and international professionals and volunteers. Founded in 1992, CIWY was a pioneer in the environmental movement in Bolivia and is recognized nationally and internationally for its work in conservation, wildlife rescue, anti-trafficking efforts, animal welfare, community outreach, and wildfire firefighting.

Currently, CIWY manages three Wildlife Rescue Sanctuaries: Ambue Ari (Santa Cruz), Jacj Cuisi (Rurrenabaque, north of La Paz), and Machia (Villa Tunari). Each sanctuary provides refuge to wild animals rescued from illegal trafficking, offering them a better quality of life. CIWY does not host tourist visits at the sanctuaries to prioritize animal welfare.

GENERAL JOB OVERVIEW

Work at CIWY is diverse and dynamic; no two days are identical. As the Head Veterinarian, you will head the sanctuary’s veterinary care. This is a leadership position that requires team management and coordination.

You will be in charge of the health of all animals at the sanctuary, including preventive and curative medicine (fecal tests, blood tests, ultrasound, X-rays, anesthesia, surgery, etc.), receiving and treating injured animals, neonate care, drafting reports, mentoring students, overseeing diets, enclosure enrichment and adaptation, supervising volunteers, administering first aid to staff and volunteers, and supporting community environmental education.

Available Equipment:

• Ambue Ari: Autoclave, centrifuge, infusion pump, ultrasound machine, glucometer, blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, refractometer.
• Jacj Cuisi: Inhalant anesthesia machine, autoclave, centrifuge, infusion pump, ultrasound machine, glucometer, blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, refractometer.
• Note: Neither center has in-house blood analysis or X-ray machines, but these tests can be performed at external facilities when necessary.

At CIWY, staff members work collaboratively for animal welfare. All staff occasionally contribute to animal care/area maintenance, cleaning, enrichment, construction, or other tasks outside their direct job description.

The Head Veterinarian reports directly to the Sanctuary Director, the President of CIWY, and the Advisory Veterinarians. You will work in coordination with area managers, monitoring and supporting daily tasks such as cleaning and disinfection, handling, nutrition, environmental enrichment, animal capture and restraint, as well as coordinating with the biology team and other personnel.

Continuous support is available from former sanctuary veterinarians and advisory veterinarians.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Animal Health

• Oversee the physical and psychological well-being of all animals at the sanctuary.
• Practice internal medicine, including diagnostics (clinical examinations, blood/urine analysis, X-rays, ultrasound, cytology, etc.), disease treatment, anesthesia/analgesia, and surgery.
• Care for infant and sick animals, coordinating care protocols, hand-rearing, rehabilitation, and release (when applicable) with the team.
• Coordinate with area managers to ensure compliance with the animal health schedule.
• Conduct regular rounds to observe, monitor, and prevent health issues on both an individual and group level. Perform regular fecal checks for all animals.
• Supervise the cleaning and disinfection of handling areas, ensuring biosecurity for enclosures, staff, and animals.

Animal Management & Welfare

• Supervise the proper handling of all animals, individually and in groups.
• Ensure environments (night cages and permanent enclosures) are safe, functional, and equipped with appropriate environmental enrichment.
• Apply and enforce the sanctuary’s biosecurity protocols across all areas.

Clinical Equipment & Supplies

• Maintain and conduct regular inventory checks of medications, clinical supplies, surgical materials, and equipment (microscope, inhalant anesthesia machine, ultrasound, etc.).
• Guarantee the supply of clinical items by coordinating with local suppliers and the International Donations Coordinator.
• Assist in maintaining and cleaning all clinic areas and medical equipment.

Documentation & Reports

• Keep medical records, patient flow logs, and population inventories up to date for every animal at the sanctuary.
• Draft monthly, quarterly, biannual, annual, and special reports requested by the organization or the government.
• Generate technical information that contributes to the continuous improvement of animal health management.

Other Responsibilities

• Coordinate, mentor, and train national and international students as well as veterinary assistants.
• Administer first aid to staff and volunteers.
• Assist outside animals during emergency situations (e.g., domestic animals from neighboring communities).
• Occasionally participate in public talks, training programs, and other educational activities for CIWY.
• Execute other duties assigned by direct supervisors related to animal health and welfare, sanctuary management, and conservation.
• Tasks may include supporting animal feeding, handling, cleaning, enrichment, construction, or extra duties related to sanctuary protection during wildfire season.

REQUIREMENTS

Academic, Professional, and Personal Requirements:

• University degree in Veterinary Medicine (Essential).
• Knowledge in preventive medicine, internal medicine, laboratory diagnostics, basic anesthesia, and surgery (small animal or wildlife clinic experience, minimum 2–3 years, essential).
• Practical experience working with wildlife and/or non-conventional animals (ideally 1–2 years minimum).
• Intermediate level of English (reading and oral communication with volunteers) and Spanish.

Personal Attributes:

• Good physical condition and willingness to live in remote environments with basic amenities.
• Experience working in multicultural teams.
• Leadership ability, organizational skills, and strong communication (Essential).
• Flexibility, initiative, and adaptability to changing environments.
• Responsible, proactive, "can-do" attitude, problem-solver, and eager to learn.
• Strong commitment to conservation ethics and animal welfare.

Language Proficiency:

• High level of spoken and written Spanish.
• Intermediate level of spoken English.

LIVING & WORKING CONDITIONS

CIWY’s sanctuaries are located in remote areas of Bolivia. Living conditions are basic, as the majority of our resources are directed toward animal care.

• Accommodation & Utilities: Basic, in single or shared rooms (shared with one other person). Bed sheets and pillows are provided. Ambue Ari uses shared eco-friendly dry toilets; Jacj Cuisi has standard flush toilets. Showers do not have hot water.
• Electricity & Communication: Available in common areas for charging devices. Ambue Ari has mobile coverage through Entel; Jacj Cuisi has no mobile network coverage. Wi-Fi is available in the office at both sanctuaries.
• Water: Running water is available and filtered for drinking.
• Meals: Ambue Ari provides three vegetarian meals per day, with a meat option 1–2 times per week. Jacj Cuisi provides vegetarian meals, with a meat option once per week. Vegan options are available at both sanctuaries.
• Climate Conditions: Both locations are very hot and humid for most of the year. Large portions of Ambue Ari flood during the rainy season, requiring walking through flooded terrain, with high mosquito activity. During the dry season, wildfires can pose a threat to Ambue Ari and disrupt daily operations. Jacj Cuisi features steep and rugged terrain.

TIME COMMITMENT & WORK SCHEDULE

• Minimum Contract: 13 months. The first month is served as a regular volunteer to learn animal handling, understand operations, and get to know the animals and areas. The remaining 12 months are under contract as the Head Veterinarian.
• Schedule: 6 work days and 1 day off per week.
• Vacation: 1 week off every 6 months.
• Work hours require flexibility and may include night shifts (for neonate or sick animal care), weekends, and overtime. Long workdays are common depending on the workload, and staff must be on call for emergencies.

COMPENSATION

CIWY receives no government funding; our sole economic support comes from volunteer contributions and donations. Unfortunately, we do not have sufficient funds to pay competitive market salaries.

• Salary: 2,500 BOB per month (approximately $250 USD), with the possibility of an increase based on experience and performance.
• Inclusions: Accommodation and all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) on-site are fully covered.

Applicants must take into account personal expenses that are not covered, such as visa processing fees and travel costs to reach the sanctuary.

Accommodation and meals included.

A unique experience with wildlife, directly helping in their recovery and well-being.

Learn and practice veterinary medicine in the field.

Be part of a multicultural and passionate team, working alongside volunteers and professionals from around the world.

Contribute to activities with a REAL impact in Bolivia.

Develop leadership and coordination skills by guiding volunteers and supporting educational projects.

You should speak English and Spanish on communicational level.