Director of Animal Care- Sea Turtle

Director of Animal Care 

Sea Turtle, Inc.

South Padre Island, TX

Director of Animal Care

Full-Time | On-Site | Reports Chief Conservation Officer

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