Certified Veterinary Technician

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Jacksonville, FL seeks a full-time Certified Veterinary Technician to join our Animal Health team. You will work with veterinarians and keepers to examine, treat, and care for over 1,400 resident animals, ensuring high standards of medical care.

Responsibilities include diagnostic imaging, anesthesia monitoring, administering medications, and accurate dosage conversions. AVMA-accredited training and zoo experience are highly valued; we offer a mission-driven

Qualifications

• Completion of an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technician program and current certification/licensure as CVT/LVT/RVT/LVMT.
• Experience with inputting and managing species-specific medical dosages in ZIMS or similar systems.
• Proficiency in converting dosages between milligrams and kilograms/pounds.
• Experience in zoo or aquarium veterinary care, including surgical prep and emergency response.
• Excellent communication with veterinary team and zoo guests.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians in exams, monitoring anesthesia, surgeries, and first aid.
• Conduct diagnostic procedures like X-rays, EKGs, and lab tests.
• Administer medications with accurate dosing conversions.
• Manage emergencies and support critical care procedures.

Skills

Veterinary care

Anesthesia monitoring

Surgical assistance

Dosage calculations

Guest communication

Education

AVMA‑accredited Veterinary Technician program

CVT/LVT/RVT/LVMT certification

Tools

ZIMS

Medical dosage tools

Job description

Consider a career at Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens where you can share your passion about the wonders of wildlife and plants with our community and guests.

Join the innovative, award winning Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens family, ranked as a top twenty-five zoo in the USA by Trip Advisor and granted a Gold Award by First Coast Worksite Wellness Council. The number one paid destination in North Florida is seeking friendly, flexible team players, with excellent communication skills, who have the ability to interact positively with a variety of personalities and ages.

If you think you possess the above qualities, consider joining our awarding winning team, by applying for the job opportunity listed below. We are a Drug-Free workplace and participate in E-verify.

The Zoo will provide reasonable accommodation to complete the online application consistent with applicable law. If you require an accommodation, please contact a human resources representative at [e-mail].

Position

Certified Veterinary Technician

Location

Jacksonville, FL

Job Id

899

# of Openings

1

Are you passionate about animal care and eager to make a real difference? We’re seeking a skilled and dedicated full‑time, Certified Veterinary Technician to join our Animal Health team and play a crucial role in the care and well‑being of over 1,400 resident animals.

In this dynamic role, you’ll collaborate with our expert hospital staff, including veterinarians and keepers, to perform exams, surgeries, and first aid, ensuring that our animals receive the highest standard of care. Whether monitoring vital signs, documenting case histories, or conducting diagnostic procedures like X-rays, EKGs, and lab tests, your expertise will be vital to our animals' health.

You’ll also need to demonstrate proficiency in converting dosages from milligrams to kilograms, pounds, and other necessary measurements, ensuring accurate medication administration. Your ability to apply this knowledge in a real‑world setting will be critical in providing safe and effective treatments for our animals.

If you’re ready to bring your skills and passion to a team that truly cares, apply today. This isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to be part of a mission‑driven team, "Connecting our communities to wildlife and wild places."

What You'll Do

• Assist veterinarians in performing exams, monitoring anesthesia, assist with surgeries, and provide first aid.
• Conduct diagnostic procedures like X-rays, EKGs, and lab tests to help with accurate diagnoses.
• Administer medications accurately, converting dosages from milligrams to kilograms, pounds, and other necessary units.
• Manage emergencies, providing first aid and assisting veterinarians with critical care procedures.

What You Bring

Availability to work a schedule of 4 days per week, 10 hours per day, including training;

• Training Phase 1: Monday through Thursday for 3-4 weeks.
• Training Phase 2: Wednesday through Saturday for 3-4 weeks.
• Final Schedule: Pending candidate preference, the clinical coverage schedule for this candidate would be either Sunday through Wednesday, or Wednesday through Saturday.

Completion of an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited Veterinary Technician program with current certification or licensure as Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), or the Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician (LVMT).

• Experience in inputting and managing species‑specific medical dosages and treatment protocols within a system like ZIMS, ensuring that dosages are customized based on the animal’s size, age, and condition.
• Proficiency in utilizing tools for converting between various units of measurement (e.g., milligrams to kilograms, pounds to grams) to ensure accurate and precise medication dosing, particularly when working with exotic species or handling different types of medications.
• Hands‑on experience in veterinary care within a zoo and/or aquarium, particularly in surgical prep, nursing, and emergency response.
• Hands‑on experience in veterinary care, within a zoo and/or aquarium, particularly in working with exotic animals.
• Proficient in monitoring vital signs, performing diagnostic tests, and assisting with surgeries.
• Effective communication skills to interact with both the veterinary team and zoo guests.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to consistently remain on your feet for 6-8 hours on shift.
• Ability to consistently speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and communications.
• Ability to consistently remain on your feet for prolonged periods of time.
• Manual dexterity for standing, reaching, flexibility, and body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling, stoop, bend, lift, kneel, crawl, climb, jump, dig and prolonged standing.
• Auditory ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, two‑way radio, and face‑to‑face interactions.
• Ability to work outdoors and indoors under all environmental conditions and temperatures.
• Ability to transport and move items up to 50 pounds occasionally, without difficulty.
• Ability to ascend/descend ladders, steps, and uneven terrain, while maintaining body equilibrium while performing various jobs.
• Ability to access and navigate each department at the organization on foot, including any construction sites.
• Visual and auditory acuity appropriate for safety and discern differences in documents.
• Exceptional visual acuity is required, along with the ability to communicate, comprehend and decipher/hear information accurately, using a two‑way radio.

We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment regulations.

EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE