Veterinary Assistant

Alaska SeaLife Center; Seward (AK); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full time with benefits

Opportunity to assist research projects

Job summary

A marine conservation organization in Seward, Alaska, is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to provide critical support for animal health and welfare programs. The role involves assisting with routine veterinary care, maintaining laboratory equipment, and managing various records. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least one year of experience with exotic animals, along with strong organizational and communication skills. This full-time position offers benefits and requires background checks.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year’s experience in a veterinary care position working with exotic or zoological animals.
• Experience with animal nursing and clinical laboratory testing.
• Certification as an open water SCUBA diver preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides routine and emergency support for the medical care of all ASLC animals.
• Maintains veterinary equipment and supplies, ensuring organization and cleanliness.
• Assists with diagnostic testing and manages records and logs of various types.

Skills

Exceptional time management

Effective communication

Excellent computer skills

Detail oriented

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field

Tools

Google applications

Excel

Word

Job description

This position has the responsibility of supplying veterinary assistance and laboratory technical support to the Center’s Veterinary staff. Assists with and performs supportive and medical tasks to ensure the health and welfare of all animals housed at the Alaska SeaLife Center, including permanent collection animals and wildlife response patients. Assists with the day to day functioning of the laboratory, quality control program and laboratory testing including but not limited to: hematology, serum chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, fecal parasite exams, and water coliform tests. Opportunities to assist the Wildlife Response program and support internal and external research projects.

Education/Training Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. At least 1 year’s experience in a veterinary care position working with exotic or zoological animals (marine mammal, avian, fish and invertebrate experience preferred), some of which could be husbandry support
• Experience with animal nursing (i.e. sampling, wound care, treatments), clinical laboratory testing (i.e. urinalysis, automated and manual blood analysis, basic cytology, handling biological specimens), and working with hazardous materials.
• Certified open water SCUBA diver preferred.

1. Provides routine and emergency support as part of the medical care of all ASLC animals (including those that are a part of ASLC’s permanent collection, wildlife response, and field projects) during regular work hours and is available to respond in person to animal medical emergencies when on-call as needed. This support may be under direct supervision of or as directed by a veterinarian. Carries out treatment, collects diagnostic samples, and administers medications as directed by Veterinarians.

2. Learns and assists with the maintenance of veterinary equipment and supplies. This includes general organization, cleanliness, biosafety, calibration, QA/QC, maintenance, repairs, and ordering, supporting the maintenance of surgical, anesthetic, clinical, diagnostic, laboratory, and necropsy areas, supplies, and equipment.

3. Learns and assists with diagnostic testing to include sample collection, handling, and processing, including in-house analysis, archiving, and sending samples to outside laboratories as required. Reports results in a timely manner.

4. Maintains a variety of records and logs in paper and/or electronic format, including ZIMS and other platforms. This will include test results, treatment plans, equipment maintenance, and others as needed.

5. Assists with the preparation and presentation of education, visitor, and staff training materials related to clinical animal laboratory topics, animal health, treatment plans, and staff safety.

6. Supports undergraduate interns, shadows, and volunteers, as well as staff from other departments when participating in veterinary procedures and lab processes.

7. Assists with the Wildlife Response Program on their operational needs (supplies, veterinary equipment, husbandry), including hotline support. Assists with direct animal care and cross trains with other departments for efficient use of staff resources.

8. Assists with obtaining samples and data for research projects and maintains sample inventory. Helps with providing data for reports and scientific publications. Assists with necropsies on site and in the field as needed.

9. Fosters good relations with visitors, volunteers, community leaders, contractors, and fellow staff members by promoting positive attitudes, good will, cooperation, and striving towards providing a high standard of service.

10. Complies with all Alaska SeaLife Center policies, procedures, and programs.

11. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Successful candidates should possess: exceptional time management/organizational skills; ability to communicate in oral and written form effectively within various levels of the organization; excellent computer skills including experience with Google applications, Excel, Word, and database programs; and knowledge of basic research methods and data collection techniques.
• Candidates should be able to be self‑motivated, independent workers, detail oriented, investigative, and possess a strong desire to see the completion of projects.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities.

Must meet the physical demands of the position, including the ability to lift up to 50 pounds without assistance, access and physically inspect animal exhibits and pools, and work in varied environments (both indoors and outdoors).

Application

Apply by February 22nd, 2026 for full consideration.

Full Time with Benefits.

Please submit a resume, cover letter and letter of recommendation with your application.

Must be able to pass a background check.