Clinical Veterinarian

An affiliate of Colossal is seeking an experienced Clinical Veterinarian to help build and lead clinical veterinary operations across a rapidly expanding portfolio of animal programs. This role is designed for a veterinarian who thrives in a start-up environment and is excited not only to deliver exceptional clinical care, but also to design, implement, and operationalize the systems, protocols, and facilities that underpin a world-class animal health program. The Clinical Veterinarian will provide comprehensive medical oversight for a wide variety of species, including restored species, and will play a foundational role in shaping Colossal’s long-term animal health infrastructure. This position requires strong expertise in anesthesia, surgery, emergency response, preventative medicine, and clinical systems development, along with the ability to build scalable veterinary programs in a dynamic and evolving organization. This position reports directly to the Chief Animal Officer and is based in Dallas, TX. Relocation assistance is available. Key Responsibilities: Clinical Veterinary Care & Case Leadership Provide comprehensive medical care across a diverse portfolio of species, including restored species. Perform physical examinations, diagnostic evaluations, and therapeutic interventions. Develop case management plans for acute, chronic, and emergent conditions. Lead emergency and critical care response as needed, including field-based situations. Maintain accurate and compliant medical records within established record-keeping systems. Develop and oversee preventative medicine programs and whole-population health strategies. Anesthesia & Surgical Leadership Design and implement anesthetic protocols for a wide variety of species in both hospital and field environments. Perform and oversee sedation, induction, monitoring, and recovery. Operate and maintain modern anesthesia delivery and physiologic monitoring systems. Perform surgical procedures as appropriate to program needs. Establish anesthetic safety guidelines, drug formularies, and controlled substance management systems. Develop contingency protocols for complex or high-risk immobilizations. Deep experience in advanced anesthesia and peri-operative care is essential. Program & Protocol Development (Startup Environment) This position requires building clinical systems from the ground up. Responsibilities include: Designing and implementing clinical SOPs for: Preventative medicine Quarantine and biosecurity Anesthesia and surgical standards Controlled drug management Emergency response Necropsy and pathology workflows Establishing pharmaceutical inventory systems and DEA-compliant tracking protocols. Advising on veterinary hospital and clinical facility design, equipment selection, and operational workflow. Supporting construction planning and activation of new animal facilities. Creating scalable veterinary infrastructure to support program growth and species expansion. The Clinical Veterinarian must be comfortable operating in ambiguity and transforming early-stage operations into structured, high-functioning clinical systems. Animal Welfare, Biosecurity & Regulatory Compliance Lead implementation of quarantine protocols and health certification processes. Oversee animal transfer evaluations and regulatory documentation. Ensure compliance with USDA, DEA, and applicable federal and state regulations. Develop and monitor biosecurity and zoonotic disease prevention protocols. Partner with animal care teams on welfare assessments and behavioral health considerations. Support necropsy procedures and diagnostic sample management. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner closely with the Chief Animal Officer on strategic planning and clinical priorities. Collaborate with animal husbandry, research, genetics, and facilities teams. Coordinate with external veterinary specialists and consultants as required. Contribute veterinary expertise to research initiatives requiring anesthesia, sampling, or surgical intervention. Help establish clinical best practices that align with both conservation and research objectives. Emergency Preparedness & Field Operations Be available for regular coverage during all hours including weekends and holidays Develop and implement emergency preparedness protocols. Support veterinary interventions in large-acreage and field environments. Lead clinical oversight during immobilizations and remote procedures. Required Skills and Abilities: Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort building systems in a growth-stage organization. Exceptional clinical judgment and attention to detail. Strong organizational and protocol development capabilities. Clear communicator able to collaborate across scientific and operational teams. High emotional intelligence and ability to work within interdisciplinary environments. Adaptable and resilient in fast-paced, mission-driven settings. Familiarity with research animal oversight and regulatory frameworks. Experience providing medical care across a wide variety of species. DEA licensure (or ability to obtain). Strong emergency and critical care capabilities. Proven ability to operate independently and make sound clinical decisions in dynamic environments. Extensive domestic travel with some international travel (~30%) Preferred Skills and Abilities: Experience in zoological, wildlife, or conservation medicine settings. Experience supporting novel or complex species programs. Experience standing up or scaling a veterinary program. Board certification or advanced specialty training. Education and Experience: DVM or VMD from an AVMA-accredited institution. Minimum 10 years of exotic clinical veterinary experience. Demonstrated expertise in advanced anesthesia and surgical techniques. Pay Range $150,000 — $200,000 USD 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 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!