Staff Veterinarian

The Staff Veterinarian is responsible for providing clinical care for a diverse collection of more than 850 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. This position works closely with other stakeholders to ensure the highest quality of animal care for the zoo’s specimens. This position reports directly to the Vice President of Animal Operations

Our Mission: Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.
Our Vision: Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
• Works with animal care staff and veterinary team to implement a preventive medicine program that includes quarantine, routine exams, disease monitoring, parasite control, vaccinations, tuberculin testing, dental prophylaxis, and periodic nutrition reviews.
• Diagnoses illness and injury in collection animals and provides appropriate treatment and therapies.
• Collaborates with colleagues and local veterinary and medical specialists on clinical cases as needed.
• Participates in dialogue with area curators and supervisors about animal care and welfare, nutrition, breeding, husbandry, and housing.
• Performs gross necropsies and collect samples for histopathology, prepare necropsy reports and analyze findings, formulate recommendations for preventive measures.
• Prepares and maintains required records, ensuring accuracy and professionalism.
• Supports AZA conservation programs and other research efforts by collecting samples and by gathering and submitting data as appropriate. Participate in local and international in situ conservation programs, including the USFWS Recovery and Reintroduction Programs for the critically endangered Attwater’s prairie chicken and Houston toad, sea turtle rehabilitation, and an ongoing elephant herpes virus research program with Baylor College of Medicine.
• May conduct or participate in research projects into the husbandry, breeding, welfare, behavior, or conservation of both captive and wild populations of animals.
• Participates in maintaining standards and regulations of AZA, AAZV, USDA, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies and associations as they apply to zoological institutions and veterinary programs/facilities.
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to animal care, transport, treatment, and the handling of controlled substances.
• Participates in AAZV and other professional organizations and forums; remain current on CEU requirements.
• Prepares reports and presentations for publication or delivery at both professional and public forums.
• Participates in training and mentoring programs for senior students, summer veterinary interns, colleagues, and other visiting professionals.
• May directly supervise staff including recruitment, selection, development, evaluation, and performance management of direct reports.
• Contributes to saving animals in the wild through: reduction of waste, water and energy use and inspiring guests and staff to take wildlife protection actions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience
• DVM or VMD or equivalent from an accredited School of Veterinary Medicine.
• Two years of exotic animal medicine experience is required, preferably in a zoological facility.
• License to practice or ability to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Texas
• Obtain DEA license to use Class 2 narcotics.
• USDA accreditation to certify health for interstate and international transport of animals.
• Must obtain a valid Texas driver’s license.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and occasional after-hour assignments.
• Preference will be given to candidates that are ACZM Board Certified.

About Houston Zoo
Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild.

Join Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the local communities. Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and l