Zoo Registered Veterinary Technician (Part-Time)

City of Santa Ana•Santa Ana, CA

30d•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Santa Ana is seeking individuals who are results-oriented, possess a great attitude, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success, and have a passion for public service. This is a part-time position, working up to 19 hours per week with a flexible schedule to be determined. The incumbent will perform responsible technical veterinary support work in coordination with the Zoo Veterinarian, focusing on the health care, veterinary facility maintenance, and overall well-being of the Santa Ana Zoo animal population. Successful candidates must be available to work shifts during various hours, including evenings, holidays, and weekends, and be willing to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Requirements

One (1) year of work experience as a registered veterinary technician involving animal care.
High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate, supplemented by vocational/technical training or college-level coursework in veterinary sciences.
Possession and retention of a valid Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) certificate issued by the State of California Veterinary Medical Board is required upon hire or within six (6) months of the hire date.
Possession and retention of a valid driver’s license, or ability to use alternative transportation that meets operational needs.
Must be willing and able to work irregular hours, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
Knowledge of applicable veterinary and zoo laws and regulations, including the Animal Welfare Act, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Animal Care Standards, California Veterinary Practice Act, and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations.
Knowledge of trends and best practices in veterinary science and animal healthcare.
Knowledge of animal hospital operations, including animal injuries, diseases, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and supplies.
Knowledge of handling of exotic animals in zoological or hospital settings, including animal restraint procedures.
Knowledge of zoonotic diseases, biosecurity, and quarantine principles.
Knowledge of medical records management.
Skill in using personal computers and office software, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Skill in operating modern office equipment.
Ability to perform certified veterinary technician duties, including providing anesthesia, drug monitoring and calculations, administering vaccinations, and performing in-house laboratory procedures.
Ability to understand and apply regulations, codes, policies, and procedures.
Ability to recognize normal and abnormal animal behavior.
Ability to work with and handle animals, including potentially dangerous ones.
Ability to follow direction and exercise sound judgment within policies and procedures.
Ability to communicate tactfully, clearly, and concisely both orally and in writing.
Ability to coordinate tasks efficiently and timely.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, contractors, special interest groups, volunteers, zoo patrons, the public, and others encountered in the scope of work.

Nice To Haves

Veterinary technician work experience with exotic animals in a zoo setting.

Responsibilities

Assists veterinary staff in performing clinical procedures, including anesthesia, animal monitoring, surgery, radiographs, treatments, blood and urine collection, and diagnostics.
Assists in ensuring compliance with animal regulations and licensing requirements.
Conducts laboratory tests, including hematology, serum chemistry, cytology, urinalysis, and fecal analysis.
Prepares and submits samples to external laboratories for analysis.
Administers treatments and vaccinations as directed by veterinarians.
Cleans, disinfects, and sterilizes hospital areas, surgical suites, instruments, and equipment.
Operates and maintains veterinary hospital equipment and troubleshoots problems.
Schedules and performs routine maintenance on instruments and equipment.
Provides husbandry and care for hospitalized and quarantined animals and their enclosures.
Dispenses and records medical prescriptions.
Assists in managing pharmacy inventory, including medications, medical supplies, and laboratory supplies.
Disposes of expired or used medications and supplies in accordance with safety and regulatory guidelines.
Assists with necropsy exams and submission of biological samples.
Maintains the pathology building and freezers; ensures proper storage and handling of animal remains.
Communicates with veterinarians and animal care staff on medical cases and follow-up care plans.
Assists with scheduling veterinary procedures.
Participates in the capture, restraint, and transfer of wild and potentially dangerous animals.
Supports zoo-wide animal welfare programs.
Provides information and assistance to the public.
May assist with daily animal handling, feeding, and care.
Performs other duties as assigned.