General Purpose

The Vet Tech is responsible for assisting Zoo Veterinarians and Animal Care staff in all aspects of animal care (preventative medicine, emergency care, and anesthesia).

Our comprehensive compensation package includes 100% employer paid Medical/Dental/Vision, Employee Assistance Program, 401k, 10 Paid Holidays, Paid Sick and Paid Vacation time on an accrued basis. The pay range for this position is $23.91 - $28.30 per hour. Offers will be based on the successful candidate's experience.

Essential Accountabilities

Daily Medical Care

• Effectively prepares and maintains medical records. Input medical records, testing results, and anesthesia monitoring sheets into ZIMs in a 7day period. Inputs necropsy/histology reports into ZIMs record keeping program within a month of result finalization.
• Actively assists the veterinary team in the care of the zoo’s animal collection including procedures involving immobilization/anesthesia, physical restraint, physical examination, surgery, radiology, ultrasonography, endoscopy, phlebotomy, cystocentesis, fluid administration, intubation, anesthetic monitoring, bandaging, wound care, medication administration, dentistry, and treatment of the zoo’s animal collection.
• Effectively performs laboratory work including blood, urine, and fecal testing. Ensures appropriate handling and submission of laboratory samples as directed by veterinarian daily.
• Undertake or assist in the disposition of nuisance wildlife potentially injurious to the zoo collection, including euthanasia under the direction of a veterinarian.
• Assistance with necropsies including collecting and preparing tissues for histopathologic evaluation.
• Administers medications and treatments as directed by a veterinarian.

Provide Excellent Animal Care

• Provides excellent care to quarantined and hospitalized animals. Effectively performs all zookeeper duties as needed.
• Thoroughly cleans and disinfects assigned animal enclosures and ensures cleanliness of hospital facilities throughout the day.
• Actively observes animals’ behavior, checking for any signs of illness or disorder, and reports irregularities and abnormal behavior to the veterinarian.

Provide Excellent Staff and Visitor Experience

• Performs special assignments and projects as requested and assists with other shifts as needed.
• Assumes other responsibilities as necessary to assure achievement of established objectives.
• Supervise veterinary students, veterinary technician students, and volunteers.

Hospital Safety, Sanitation, Maintenance and Organization

• Organizes animal sample storage for future diagnostic use and data banking.
• Maintains all hospital and quarantine equipment, and facilities in a clean and ready state at all times.
• Completes administrative duties as assigned, such as but not limited to: inventory, ordering, drug logs, radiation tracking for staff and equipment, and other administrative duties as assigned.
• Performs daily cleaning of hospital areas and ensures proper hygiene of hospital areas and equipment.
• Promotes a safe work environment daily by reporting concerns, removing debris and clutter.
• Schedules routine equipment maintenance as indicated.
• Aids in all zoo signal response as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Degree in Veterinary Technology or related field from an accredited university.
• Must obtain a California Veterinary Technician license within 6 months of employment and maintain throughout employment.
• Minimum two years related experience required. Applicable experience in an AZA facility preferred.
• Valid California driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 6 months of employment and a clean driving record.
• Excellent written and verbal English communications skills required. Bilingual communication skills a plus.
• Availability to work or be on-call, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Physical Requirements

These are physical and mental requirements of the position as it is typically performed. Inability to meet one or more of these physical or mental requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for a reasonable accommodation, the Zoo may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation.

• This position is regularly required to bend, stoop, crouch, and kneel; use hands and arms for care of animals and cleaning of enclosures. Occasionally required to climb stairs or ladders.
• The employee is regularly required to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds, and occasionally up to 75 pounds.
• Evaluating animal health, diet, or environment requires hearing and smell.
• Visual acuity to read printed instructions and safety information, and to assess animal behavior. Color perception is also required.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication (in person and via telephone), at normal speaking levels with or without correction.

Work Environment

• The position functions both indoors and outdoors, with potential exposure to heat, cold, and inclement weather.
• The employee is regularly exposed to a variety of animals with risk of animal bites, zoonotic disease, and other animal-related injury.
• The employee may be required to work at heights.