Associate Veterinarian

Texas State Aquarium; Corpus Christi (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, TX seeks an Associate Veterinarian to provide comprehensive veterinary care for aquatic and terrestrial animals, practicing hands-on zoological medicine and collaborating with the Animal Health team.

This role focuses on preventive, diagnostic, medical, surgical, and emergency care, plus involvement in wildlife rescue and research collaborations with universities and other zoological institutions.

Qualifications

• DVM or equivalent from an accredited college.
• US licensed veterinarian with Texas eligibility and USDA Category II accreditation or ability to obtain.
• Minimum three years of professional veterinary experience with nondomestic species.
• Ability to independently manage clinical cases and collaborate with teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide preventive, diagnostic, medical, surgical, and emergency care for the Aquarium's animals.
• Independently manage clinical cases with monitoring and treatment planning.
• Participate in preventive medicine, exams, vaccinations, surveillance, and quarantine.
• Perform diagnostics, interpret labs and imaging, conduct necropsies as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Director of Animal Health and staff to support animal health.
• Support wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and emergency response activities.
• Participate in on-call coverage after hours.

Skills

Zoological medicine

Independent cases

Team collaboration

On-call emergencies

Education

DVM / VMD or equivalent

Tools

Ultrasound

CT imaging

Job description

The Texas State Aquarium is seeking a skilled and collaborative Associate Veterinarian to join our Animal Health team and provide comprehensive veterinary care for our diverse collection of aquatic and terrestrial animals.

This position offers the opportunity to practice hands-on zoological medicine, including preventive, diagnostic, medical, surgical, and emergency care. Working alongside the Director of Animal Health, a Senior Veterinary Technician and Hospital Manager, and a Licensed Veterinary Technician, the Associate Veterinarian independently manages clinical cases while collaborating closely with Animal Care staff and other departments.

The position also provides veterinary care and support for wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and emergency response activities.

The ideal candidate is a veterinarian who enjoys working with diverse species, values collaboration, and is interested in continuing to develop their clinical skills while contributing to a comprehensive veterinary medical program.

Veterinary Program & Facilities

The Aquarium offers a diverse clinical caseload with particular depth in aquatic animal medicine. Diagnostic and treatment capabilities include digital radiography, ultrasound, flexible and rigid endoscopy, anesthesia and surgical equipment, and computed tomography (CT).

The veterinary team also collaborates with universities, veterinary specialists, diagnostic laboratories, wildlife agencies, and other zoological institutions, providing opportunities to participate in research, conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, and collaborative clinical work.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide preventive, diagnostic, medical, surgical, and emergency veterinary care for the Aquarium's animal collection.
• Independently evaluate and manage clinical cases, including diagnostic procedures, treatment planning, surgery, anesthesia, and patient monitoring.
• Participate in preventive medicine programs, including routine examinations, vaccinations, parasite surveillance, infectious disease screening, and quarantine procedures.
• Perform diagnostic procedures, interpret laboratory and imaging results, and conduct necropsies as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the Director of Animal Health, veterinary technicians, and Animal Care staff to support animal health and wellbeing.
• Provide veterinary consultation regarding animal health, husbandry, nutrition, and other factors affecting animal wellbeing.
• Provide veterinary care and support for wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, release, and emergency response activities.
• Participate in scheduled on-call coverage and after-hours veterinary emergencies.
• Maintain accurate veterinary medical records and support compliance with applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Contribute to veterinary protocols, staff training, professional development, research, and conservation initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), or equivalent veterinary degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum three years of professional veterinary experience or postgraduate clinical training involving zoological, aquatic, wildlife, exotic, or other nondomestic species.
• Demonstrated experience providing veterinary care to nondomestic species, including preventive medicine, diagnostics, anesthesia, medical treatments, and surgical procedures.
• Ability to independently manage clinical cases and collaborate effectively with veterinary and animal care professionals.
• Licensed veterinarian within the United States and possession of, or eligibility to obtain, a Texas veterinary license.
• USDA Category II accreditation and DEA registration, or ability to obtain.
• Valid driver's license with an insurable driving record.

Preferred

• Three or more years of professional veterinary experience involving nondomestic species.
• Completion of a zoological medicine internship, residency, or other applicable postgraduate clinical training.
• Experience practicing veterinary medicine within an AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium.
• Experience in aquatic animal medicine, particularly involving marine mammals, sea turtles, and fishes.
• Experience providing veterinary care for wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and emergency response.
• Experience with Tracks Software or other zoological electronic medical record systems.
• Experience participating in veterinary research, conservation initiatives, or collaborative clinical projects.

Licenses and Certifications

• Licensed veterinarian within the United States
• Possess or be eligible to obtain a Texas veterinary license
• USDA National Veterinary Accreditation Program Category II accreditation or ability to obtain
• DEA registration and applicable Texas controlled-substance registration or ability to obtain
• Valid Texas driver's license or ability to obtain, with an insurable driving record
• First Aid, CPR, and AED certification or ability to obtain

Professional Development

The Texas State Aquarium supports continued professional growth through continuing education, conferences, collaborative work, research, specialized training, and other professional opportunities.

For veterinarians interested in pursuing American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) board certification, the Aquarium may provide additional support. Board certification is not required, and pursuing certification is not an expectation of the position.

Living & Working in Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is a mid-sized South Texas city located directly on the Gulf of Mexico. The Coastal Bend is particularly well suited for those who enjoy a coastal lifestyle, warm climate, and easy access to beaches, bays, fishing, boating, birding, and other outdoor activities.