Senior Elephant Trainer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 health, care, and well-being for the Zoo’s specimens. This position reports directly to the Director of Animal Health.

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 

• Work 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 nutrition reviews.
• Diagnose illness and injury in collection animals and provide appropriate treatment and therapies.
• Collaborate with colleagues and local veterinary and medical specialists on clinical cases as needed.
• Participate in dialogue with area curators and supervisors about animal care and welfare, nutrition, reproduction, husbandry, and housing.
• Perform gross necropsies and collect samples for histopathology, prepare necropsy reports and analyze findings, formulate recommendations for preventive measures.
• Prepare and maintain required records, ensuring accuracy, and professionalism.
• Support 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.
• Participate 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.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to animal care, transport, treatment, and the handling of controlled substances.
• Participate in AAZV and other professional organizations and forums; remain current on CEU requirements.
• Prepare reports and presentations for publication or delivery at both professional and public forums.
• Participate 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 protecting actions.
• Ensure guest and donor engagement through tours, media participation, and other events as needed.
• Participate in routine animal welfare assessments with the Animal Care staff and support the zoo’s Animal Welfare Program.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Education and Experience  

• DVM or VMD or equivalent from an accredited School of Veterinary Medicine.
• Minimum of 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 (category II) 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 or Board eligible.
• A candidate with aquatic animal medicine experience, formal training, or willingness to learn is preferred.

About Houston Zoo’s Animal Health Department

The Veterinary Clinic is part of the Animal Health Department, which also includes Pest Control, Animal Nutrition, and off-site Sea Turtle Rehabilitation. The veterinary team includes five veterinarians (including the Director of Animal Health, 3 ACZM diplomates, and the successful staff veterinarian candidate), five licensed veterinary technicians (including a veterinary technician supervisor), four animal care staff (including an animal care staff supervisor), and two administrative staff.

The veterinary campus at the Houston Zoo includes 4 buildings: the Veterinary Services Building, the Veterinary Hospital and Administration Building, the Quarantine Building, and the Veterinary Barn, which doubles as both hospital and quarantine space. The Veterinary Services Building hosts a suite of clinical rooms including a clinical pathology laboratory, a surgical theater, large and small animal radiography, large and small animal treatment, necropsy, and office space. There is a robust inventory of clinical equipment including large and small animal ventilators, multiparameter anesthetic monitors, patient-side bloodwork monitoring, rigid and flexible endoscopy, dentistry equipment (radiograph system, small animal drill set, large animal power float, and associated hand-tools), two ultrasound units, slit lamp, and a variety of dart projectors.

The Houston Zoo supports staff in professional development such as conferences, workshops, and other learning opportunities. Members of the veterinary team are leaders in a number of 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. The veterinary department regularly hosts senior students, summer veterinary interns, colleagues, and other visiting professionals.

ABOUT HOUSTON ZOO

The 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.  Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer