Veterinary Technician

Primary Purpose of the Position:

The North Carolina Zoo is seeking an experienced Veterinary Technician to work within the Veterinary Medical Services Division of the North Carolina Zoo. The Veterinary Technician assists the Director of Animal Health, Associate Veterinarian and Hospital Manager, with the medical care and husbandry of the zoo's diverse collection of live animals including all species of mammals, birds, reptiles (venomous and non-venomous), amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinates supplies and equipment for routine and emergency procedures; provides chemical and manual restraint, anesthesia monitoring, surgical assistance, necropsy, sample collection, and diagnostic image collection. 
• Calculates, dispenses and administers medications as prescribed. Understands drug uses and interactions before administering. 
• Obtains diagnostic images with radiology and ultrasonography equipment.
• Provides surgical support to the veterinarians by maintaining equipment and instrument sterility, patient preparation, anesthesia induction, monitoring, and recovery. 
• Performs emergency procedures, which may include various diagnostic tests, drug administration, attaching and operating equipment, performing necropsy, and collecting appropriate biological specimens. 
• Provides routine and intensive care for any animals hospitalized or quarantined at the medical center. 
• Observes behaviors and dietary intake of any species housed at the hospital.  
• Operate the diagnostic laboratory including parasitology, hematology, clinical chemistry, cytology, urinalysis, and microbiology. Laboratory duties also include detailed sample collection and preparation to send to outside laboratories and researchers. 
• Participates in training programs for Zoological Residents and senior Veterinary Students through North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as, veterinary technician interns, volunteers, and other individuals as required.
• Engages with the public to promote the scientific and education aspect of the North Carolina Zoo’s Mission.  Takes an active role in supporting the education mission through participation in teaching at the veterinary camps, tours and outreach/public engagements.  
• Participates in clinical research associated with the health of animals in human care and free-ranging wildlife.  Provides veterinary assistance as needed to other research efforts within the Veterinary Medical Section and through external collaborators.  

Job Requirements:

• Must be able to work a rotating schedule including weekends, holidays, and some after work shifts.
• This position is considered “Essential/Mandatory Staff” and required to work on adverse weather days and during zoo emergencies.
• Must participate in occupational health program due to potential exposures to zoonosis.
• Must have good physical agility, strength, good hearing and vision, and perform physically demanding labor in extremes of weather and challenging physical environments e.g. animal enclosures. Specifically, this means the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, walk, stand, see animals & exhibits for observation and safety as well as hear animal’s sounds, radio communication and emergency situations.
• Must have, or be able to obtain, and maintain a valid NC driver’s license within 30 days of hire.
• Must be able to manage emergency situations efficiently and effectively by determining priorities in a highly active and stressful environment.
• Must be able to both establish and maintain effective working relationships with vet staff members, residents, veterinary students, staff from other areas of the park, the public and the media. 
• Must be able to communicate effectively in oral and written form and maintain detailed accurate records and files. 
• Must be able to work with a team of diverse skill level with minimal supervision.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit:

The North Carolina Zoo exists for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of all of North Carolina's citizens and visitors to the zoo. The mission of the zoo is to encourage the understanding of and commitment to the conservation of the world's wildlife and wild places through the recognition of the interdependence of people and nature. The Zoo displays, conserves and protects representative examples of natural beauty, plant and animal species and ecological features of the North American and African regions of the world through the presentation of live animal exhibits from these regions.

Department Information:

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) takes care of the things that people love about North Carolina, literally from A to Z.  The Arts to the Zoo, and so much else – parks, aquariums, historic sites, archaeology, African American Heritage Commission, science and history museums, the state Symphony, Library, and Archives, historic preservation, land, and water stewardship, and more.  These places, and the ideas they represent, create a shared identity among us as North Carolinians. They provide common ground.  Everyone is welcome.  Our goal is to promote equity and inclusion among our employees and our programming to reflect and celebrate our state's diverse population, culture, and history. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies:

**To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit. **

Qualified candidates will have:

• Must be a Licensed Veterinary Technician having completed an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited Veterinary Technician program.
• Demonstrated working experience with animal anatomy, physiology, diseases, treatments and restraint techniques. 
• Demonstrated working experience with aseptic techniques, medications and surgical instruments with the ability to administer medication and injections to animals and to carry out specialized treatments under veterinary supervision.
• Demonstrated working experience in laboratory techniques to include complete blood counts, serum chemistries, urinalysis and parasitology.
• Proven working experience with a variety of species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
• Proven working knowledge of the signs of common diseases of animals.

Management Preferences:

NC Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or ability to obtain NC Registration within 12 months of date of hire. NC RVT exam eligibility requirements include graduation from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician program and a passing score on the National Veterinary Technician Exam.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. 
• Associate’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution in an American Veterinary Medical Association program with one year 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.
• The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation or political influence.
• Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application, but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit.  "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted.
• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts, and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application.
• To obtain veterans preference, you must scan and upload a copy of your DD-214 or discharge orders.
• Technical issues submitting your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627.
• Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax.  Please call the human resources office for assistance.
• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take an average of 6 – 8 weeks.  

It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) on the first day of employment.   We participate in E-Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System).