VETERINARY TECHNICIAN

Position Title: Veterinary Technician
Department: Animal Health

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is looking for a Veterinary Technician to join their Animal Health department team. Candidates must be dynamic and detail-oriented people who excel in building relationships, customer service, and are team players. Candidates must also value and exercise the Zoo’s core values of inclusion, innovation, excellence, inspiring wonder, respect and building connections. This position will join a team consisting of a Director of Animal Health, two associate veterinarians, two licensed veterinary technicians and a department administrator.

With new leadership, the Zoo is pursuing a new vision that centers around best practices for animal care, employee engagement, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, customer service, community engagement and partnerships and overall excellence.

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is home to over 8,000 animals representing 600 species and is currently accredited by the ZAA, Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and is certified by American Humane. The Zoo is currently enrolled in the AZA’s Pathway towards membership program and anticipates applying for AZA accreditation within the next year.

Pittsburgh was recently named by Livability.com as one of the top 10 cities to live in the US.

Job Summary:

Assists the veterinary staff in the day to day operations of the animal health department.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assist the veterinary staff during medical and surgical procedures
• Monitor anesthesia during procedures
• Process laboratory specimens
• Assist in radiology
• Enter and maintain medical record
• Participate in animal restraint and treatment
• Fill prescriptions
• Keep track of hospital inventory and controlled substances
• Housekeeping
• Implementation and organization of research and all other duties as assigned and directed
• Must be able to work outside in a variety of weather conditions
• Must be able to work both independently and as a team member.
• Ability to take directions and make independent decisions when required;
• Triages medical cases and provides care for animals housed in the Animal Care Center.
• Operates a variety of remote drug delivery equipment;
• Conducts necropsy examinations;
• Maintains PA veterinary technician license in good standing;
• Organizes and spearheads the monthly deworming program;

Other Functions

• Performs all other duties as assigned and directed.

Education/Experience/Knowledge/Skills:

A minimum of two years clinical veterinary technician experience, experience in zoo, wildlife, or exotic animal practice is desirable. A bachelor’s degree in veterinary medical technology, animal science, or zoology is desirable.  Candidate must have a degree from AVMA accredited veterinary medical technology program. Candidate must have knowledge of Microsoft word and Excel; database and ZIMS experience is a plus. Must acquire Pennsylvania veterinary technician license within six months of start date; valid driver’s license is required, along with the ability to drive a commercial van.

Physical Requirements:

Manual dexterity is required to operate machinery, restraining devices, including personal computer, fax machine, copier, etc.  Must be physically able to exert up to ten pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Work involves standing, walking, bending, reaching, crawling, crouching, etc. for periods of time. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of fifty to seventy pounds. Position may require occasional off-site driving.  Must be able to work in various weather conditions, as well as weekends, evenings and holidays as required.

Submit resume and cover letter:

 Email HR@pittsburghzoo.org

EOE