The Herpetology and Fish Specialist serves as a member of the Animal Husbandry Team to provide the highest level of care and welfare for the animals under Colossal’s oversight.  As a member of the Small Animal Care Team, the Herpetology and Fish Specialist cares for a diverse collection of ectotherms including reptiles, amphibians, and fish.  This position reports to the Manager of Animal Husbandry and works closely with Colossal’s Head of Animal Husbandry.

**This position will be based out of Dallas, TX. Relocation assistance is available. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist veterinary and research staff with medical exams, procedures, and treatments.
• Develop and implement training and enrichment plans and schedules for Colossal species.
• Perform daily husbandry for a diverse collection of ectotherms including reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
• Maintain animal habitats and surrounding areas, husbandry equipment, and tools. 
• Closely monitor and document animal behavior, health and wellbeing, recording these in the record keeping system and reporting issues to leadership.
• Create habitats that promote successful breeding and optimal welfare for animals.  
• Stay up to date on industry best practices through research and networking with industry professionals. 
• Prepare diets for amphibians, reptiles, and fish.
• Assist in other areas of the small animal care team as needed including husbandry of small mammals and birds.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Proven experience in the areas of amphibian, reptile, and fish husbandry and breeding.
• Ability to manage life support systems and set up terrarium habitats with little to no supervision.
• Strong abilities in the areas of safe animal handling and restraint for veterinary care.  
• Expertise in animal care and conservation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Practiced interpersonal and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to thrive and work well with others in a team environment.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong emotional intelligence and passion for building relationships across all levels of an organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to function well in a growth-oriented, nimble environment.
• Understanding of operant conditioning and the application of behavioral modification methods.
• Strong observational skills.

Education and Experience:

• AA/AS/BA/BS in Biological Sciences is preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in animal care.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform strenuous work and lift at least 50 pounds.
• Ability to sit, stand, bend and stoop.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in a typical Florida climate and under field conditions (heat, humidity, plant allergens, insects, etc.).
• Ability to work weekends, holidays and evenings as needed.

What Colossal Offers Full-Time Employees:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Excellent paid time off and company holidays so you can rest and recharge 
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• Company matched 401k retirement plan
• Paid parental leave at 100% salary for up to 12 weeks
• Education reimbursement 
• An opportunity to help us return the Earth to a healthier state

The team at Colossal is committed, colorful, passionate, intelligent, collaborative, creative, experienced, scientific and world-class. That sounds like a lot to fit into one building. That’s why we are spread out in several locations that include laboratories, test facilities, academic institutions, libraries and offices. 

Through it all, however, we maintain a culture of positivity, hope, happiness and belief that we’re doing something big. Something Colossal.

Colossal is proud to be an equal employment opportunity workplace. We welcome people from all backgrounds as well as celebrate and support diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment of mutual respect that is free from discrimination and harassment so everyone can thrive. 

EEO is the Law 

Search Firm Representatives: Colossal does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms. No fees will be paid for a hired candidate where no pre-existing agreement is in place. We handle most recruitment in-house. 

Colossal is on LinkedIn's 2026 Top Startups in Dallas List! See the list here.

Colossal is on Fortune's 2026 List for Best Workplaces in BioPharma. See the list here. 

Colossal is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by BuiltIn for 4 years in a row across multiple categories in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026:

• #1 on the 50 Best Startups to Work For in Dallas in 2023!
• 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Dallas in 2024 & 2025
• 100 Best Places to Work in Dallas, TX (All Size Employers) in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Built In 2026 Award Lists

Great Place to Work Certification Page

Most Loved Workplace Certification Page - Proud to be certified as a most loved workplace including: most loved CEO, most loved workplaces for LGBTQ+, most loved workplaces for women, and most loved workplaces for young professionals.

Newsweek's Most Loved Workplaces 2024 Award List - Excited to be amongst the winners of Newsweek's 2024 Most Loved Workplaces!