Veterinary Technician Supervisor

State of North Carolina

15d • $39,864 - $53,670 • Onsite

About The Position

The North Carolina Zoo is growing and it is an exciting time to join our team! The North Carolina Zoo is seeking a dynamic, efficient, and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Veterinary Technician Supervisor. The Veterinary Technician Supervisor is a vital member of the Animal Health Section at the North Carolina Zoo, playing a key leadership role in supporting high-quality veterinary care, animal welfare, and hospital operations across one of the most diverse animal collections in North America. This position provides daily supervision, coordination, and development of the Veterinary Technicians and Hospital Keepers. It ensures appropriate staffing and skill coverage for the hospital, quarantine, and research facilities by managing schedules, training staff in medical and husbandry procedures, and supporting cross-functional clinical operations.

Requirements

• Registered with the Board as a Veterinary Technician
• Associate’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution in an American Veterinary Medical Association program And with two years of related veterinary work experience; OR High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and four years of animal care, veterinary or closely related research experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must be able to work Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
• Must be able to advise and provide input to management regarding strategic plans, development of policies and procedures, and veterinary division organizational issues.
• Must have good physical agility, strength, hearing, and vision, as well as the ability to perform physically demanding tasks in extreme weather and challenging environments such as animal enclosures.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, walking and standing for extended periods, and maintaining the ability to observe animals and exhibits for safety, as well as responding to auditory cues such as animal sounds, radio communications, and emergency alerts.
• Must be able to train and supervise personnel and resolve disciplinary issues.
• Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Must be able to manage emergency situations efficiently and effectively.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in oral and written form and maintain detailed accurate records and files.
• Must be able to participate in the Zoo's Occupational Health Program for vaccines and testing.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment work screen.
• This position is designated as Essential/Mandatory Staff and requires availability during adverse weather conditions and zoo emergencies.
• Must meet DNCR Fleet Safety Guidelines and have ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license issued from within the United States or be able to obtain one within 90 days of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated knowledge of and working experience in the medical care, husbandry, nutrition, and general healthcare of zoological species including amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, mammals, and invertebrates
• Demonstrated knowledge and hands-on experience in animal anatomy, physiology, diseases, treatments, capture and restraint techniques, surgical and patient monitoring, and safety procedures related to the care and handling of animals in the collection
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in laboratory analysis of samples from non-domestic animal species, including complete blood counts, serum chemistry, cytology, urinalysis, and/or parasitology

Responsibilities

• Responsible for supervising and training the Veterinary Technician and Hospital Keeper positions, including medical, laboratory, and husbandry skills and knowledge. Provides coaching, feedback, and performance evaluation on Veterinary Technician and Hospital Keeper duties to facilitate staff development and ensure best practices are followed. Provides coaching and counselling as needed to promote teamwork and staff communication and understanding.
• Maintain a high level of expertise in animal husbandry, laboratory techniques, and clinical veterinary skills, specifically as they relate to the effective management of wildlife, exotic, avian, and zoo species. Responsibilities include providing direct support to veterinarians and training Veterinary Technicians and Hospital Keepers to assist with current medical practices.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of, and ability to properly operate and troubleshoot equipment necessary for typical medical procedures such as microscopy, radiology, endoscopy, ultrasonography, and surgery. The position is responsible for training the Veterinary Technician and Hospital Keeper positions on proper use and operation of all equipment necessary for typical medical procedures to adequately assist the veterinarians.
• Maintains a strong working knowledge of medical sample preparation and evaluation, including hematology, chemistry, cytology, bacterial and fungal cultures, and fecal analysis. Responsibilities also include the collection and submission of samples to external laboratories for diagnostic testing. Additionally, the position is responsible for training Veterinary Technicians and Hospital Keepers in proper techniques for sample collection, preparation, evaluation, and submission.

Benefits

• Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees