Director of Animal Care
Full-Time | On-Site | Reports Chief Conservation Officer 

Sea Turtle, Inc.
South Padre Island, TX

About the Opportunity
Sea Turtle, Inc. is a global leader in sea turtle rehabilitation, conservation, research and education! With the recent completion of the world’s largest fully enclosed sea turtle hospital, we’re seeking a strategic, innovative, engaging, experienced, and mission-driven Director of Animal Care to lead and elevate our animal care operations. This is more than a clinical leadership role—it is an opportunity to shape process excellence, mentor and lead a high-performing team, and help create an unmatched experience for patients, the public, and staff. 

Key Responsibilities

Animal Health & Patient Care

• Lead and manage daily operations for all animal care including diets, enrichment, medical care, and resident turtle welfare
• Collaborate closely with veterinarians to execute best-in-class care plans
• Collaborate across all pillars of the mission for unified mission 
• Perform and oversee diagnostics, including necropsies and x-rays; manage and maintain specialized medical equipment
• Ensure all procedures follow high standards of safety, welfare, and effectiveness
• Serve in the on-call stranding response rotation with other animal care leadership

Team & Workflow Leadership

• Directly supervise and train rehabilitation specialists, aquarists, interns, and volunteers on best in class processes
• Build, document and implement consistent, repeatable workflows—including opening/closing duties and task delegation—to maximize team efficiency and animal care standards
• Evaluate task execution and identify process improvements
• Develop a strong culture of accountability, collaboration, and growth within the animal care team
• Create and document best in class workflows related to patient care, instake, electronic records etc. 

Organizational Alignment

• Serve as a visible ambassador of Sea Turtle Inc.'s mission across all departments—rehabilitation, conservation, research and education
• Work cross-functionally to support a seamless integration of research, public engagement, and veterinary care
• Contribute to grant research and resource development for enhanced patient outcomes

Operations & Compliance

• Partner with the CCO on budget planning and fiscal responsibility within the animal care department
• Ensure controlled substances, radiation safety, and medical records are compliant and up-to-date
• Maintain clean, safe, and operationally efficient hospital and clinic facilities
• Coordinate medical procedures and schedule with the veterinary team
• Support accurate and timely data entry into internal and national reporting systems

Minimum Qualifications

• Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT or RVT) 
• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Marine Science, Animal Science, or related field
• At least 5 years of direct experience in sea turtle care
• Proven track record of people leadership and workflow/process implementation and Electronic Records Management
• Experience managing animal health care teams in a clinical, wildlife, or zoological setting
• Ability to lift 40+ pounds and assist in turtle rescue and transport
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills across departments and audiences
• Valid U.S. Driver’s License and ability to work legally in the U.S.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in wildlife grant writing or inter-agency collaboration
• Familiarity with electronic record-keeping software

Working Conditions

• Outdoor and variable conditions, including heat and inclement weather
• Rotating on-call responsibilities, including weekends and holidays
• Physical demands include standing, bending, and lifting as part of daily operations

Why Join Sea Turtle Inc.?

• Full-time salaried position
• Health, dental, life, and ancillary benefits
• Paid vacation with tenure-based increases
• Staff discounts and mission-driven workplace culture