Entry Level Food Science Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Company: The Bio Dude

Location: Webster, Texas

Employment Type: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM

Reports To: Animal Operations Supervisor

The Bio Dude is seeking an experienced Animal Wrangler to provide daily care and husbandry for our collection of exotic reptiles and amphibians.

Prior hands-on exotic reptile and amphibian care experience is REQUIRED. This is not an entry-level animal care position.

The Animal Wrangler is responsible for feeding, health monitoring, enclosure maintenance, environmental management, record-keeping, safe animal handling, and customer education. The successful candidate must understand species-specific husbandry requirements and be able to recognize changes in animal health, behavior, appetite, and environmental needs.

This position is ideal for an experienced reptile keeper, amphibian keeper, animal care technician, reptile breeder, zoological animal care professional, or specialty pet industry professional who is committed to responsible exotic animal care and high standards of animal welfare.

Applicants must have at least two years of practical experience caring for reptiles, amphibians, or other exotic animals. Experience should include direct responsibility for multiple aspects of animal husbandry, such as:

• Species-specific feeding and nutrition
• Temperature and humidity management
• UVB, heating, and lighting systems
• Enclosure setup and habitat maintenance
• Safe reptile and amphibian handling
• Health and behavioral monitoring
• Sanitation, disinfection, and biosecurity
• Record-keeping and feeding schedules

Applicants whose experience is limited to general pet ownership without advanced, hands-on husbandry responsibilities may not meet the requirements of this position.

• Provide food and water according to each animal’s species-specific nutritional requirements.
• Monitor animal health, appetite, behavior, shedding, mobility, and overall condition.
• Promptly report signs of illness, injury, abnormal behavior, or environmental concerns.
• Maintain appropriate temperature, humidity, lighting, UVB exposure, substrate, and habitat conditions.
• Ensure enclosures are secure, species-appropriate, clean, and properly maintained.
• Clean and disinfect enclosures, food dishes, water dishes, tools, and animal care areas.
• Document feeding schedules, health observations, treatments, and behavioral changes.
• Provide appropriate enrichment that supports natural behaviors and animal well-being.
• Assist with breeding programs, egg incubation, neonatal care, and hatchling care when applicable.

• Perform routine visual health assessments and basic animal wellness checks.
• Assist with basic first aid and approved treatments under management direction.
• Maintain accurate health, treatment, and veterinary records.
• Follow quarantine, sanitation, and biosecurity procedures to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
• Use personal protective equipment when required.
• Handle reptiles and amphibians safely to reduce stress and prevent injury to animals, associates, and customers.
• Follow applicable animal care regulations and company safety procedures.

• Assist customers with selecting appropriate reptiles, amphibians, habitats, and care supplies.
• Provide accurate guidance regarding enclosure setup, feeding, supplementation, heating, lighting, humidity, handling, and long-term care.
• Educate customers about responsible exotic pet ownership, lifespan expectations, adult size, ongoing care requirements, and potential challenges.
• Demonstrate proper handling and enclosure maintenance techniques.
• Respond professionally to customer questions in person, by telephone, and through email.
• Assist with the development and distribution of animal care sheets and educational materials.

• Monitor inventory levels for live animals, feeders, food, supplements, substrates, and animal care supplies.
• Assist with receiving, stocking, and maintaining animal-related inventory.
• Maintain accurate records for animals received, transferred, and sold.
• Inspect enclosures, racks, lighting, heating equipment, and animal care tools for maintenance concerns.
• Keep animal rooms, workspaces, storage areas, and customer-facing areas clean and organized.

• 2+ years of prior reptile or amphibian care and husbandry experience (Required).
• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Animal Science, or a related field (Required).
• Demonstrated knowledge of exotic reptile and amphibian husbandry.
• Ability to safely and confidently handle a variety of reptiles and amphibians.
• Ability to identify common indicators of stress, illness, injury, dehydration, improper shedding, nutritional concerns, and environmental problems.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to follow feeding schedules, animal care protocols, sanitation procedures, and safety requirements.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to educate customers clearly, accurately, and professionally.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative animal care team.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced retail and animal care environment.

• Professional experience in a reptile specialty store, zoological facility, exotic animal rescue, veterinary environment, breeding operation, or similar animal care setting.
• Experience caring for multiple reptile and amphibian species.
• Experience with breeding, egg incubation, neonatal care, or hatchling care.
• Experience educating customers about exotic animal husbandry.
• Experience maintaining animal health, feeding, inventory, or treatment records.
• Experience with Shopify, SKULabs, Google Workspace, Gmail, Slack, point-of-sale systems, or similar business software.

• Animal Care Knowledge: Applies species-specific husbandry standards consistently and responsibly.
• Attention to Detail: Accurately tracks feeding, environmental conditions, health concerns, and animal care records.
• Observation: Recognizes subtle changes in animal appearance, appetite, behavior, movement, and condition.
• Problem-Solving: Identifies and helps resolve habitat, environmental, health, and behavioral concerns.
• Communication: Educates customers and communicates animal care concerns clearly and professionally.
• Reliability: Completes time-sensitive animal care duties consistently and according to established schedules.
• Adaptability: Responds effectively to changing animal care and operational priorities.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, carrying, and repetitive movement.
• Frequent handling of reptiles, amphibians, feeders, animal supplies, and enclosure materials.
• Ability to work around live animals, insects, animal waste, dust, substrate materials, and varying temperatures.
• Ability to wear gloves, masks, and other protective equipment when required.
• Ability to work in both warehouse and retail store environments.

Full-time associates become eligible for the following benefits after 60 days of employment, subject to applicable plan terms and company policies:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Company-paid life insurance

After one year of continuous full-time employment, associates are eligible for:

• Holiday pay
• Participation in The Bio Dude 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Optional ancillary insurance benefits

Please submit a current resume that clearly describes your hands-on reptile, amphibian, or exotic animal care experience.

Your resume should identify:

• The reptile and amphibian species you have cared for
• The length and setting of your animal care experience
• Your responsibilities for feeding, enclosure maintenance, environmental management, health monitoring, and handling
• Any professional reptile, amphibian, zoological, veterinary, rescue, breeding, or specialty pet industry experience

Applications that do not demonstrate the required exotic reptile or amphibian husbandry experience may not be considered.

The Bio Dude is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, business needs, and applicable legal requirements.