Veterinary Technician

Austin Pets Alive; Kyle (TX); On-site; USD 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) retirement match

Paid holidays & PTO

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is seeking a Veterinary Technician to support intake-to-placement programs at the PAWS Kyle location in Kyle, Texas.

You will administer vaccines, medications, and treatments, maintain medical records, and assist veterinarians while collaborating with volunteers and shelter teams to ensure pets are placement-ready. The role emphasizes working with a dedicated volunteer-powered team, following APA Medical Protocols, and contributing to high-quality shelter operations.

Qualifications

• Commitment to APA!'s Core Values: Innovation, Respect, Drive, Resourcefulness, Inclusion
• Strong time management and the ability to work independently or collaboratively
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with staff, volunteers, and customers

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe, clean, sanitary medical workspace following protocols
• Administer medications, vaccines, preventatives, and treatments accurately
• Maintain thorough electronic medical records for patient histories and treatments
• Assist veterinarians with examinations, diagnostics, and surgical or recovery care
• Collaborate with volunteers and staff to ensure continuity of care and a positive environment

Skills

Core values alignment

Time management

Team collaboration

Volunteer engagement

Adaptability

Tools

ShelterLuv

Waitwhile

Google Workspace

Job description

APA! BACKGROUND: Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is one of Austin’s most dynamic and beloved nonprofits. The organization leads the No Kill movement nationally and is considered a national thought leader in animal welfare. APA! locally rescues, treats, and adopts thousands of homeless dogs and cats each year, providing a critical safety net for some of the region’s most at-risk shelter pets and helping Austin remain a No Kill city. APA! also works alongside communities and animal welfare organizations to expand lifesaving capacity beyond Austin.

The organization is distinguished by its large volunteer workforce, grassroots spirit, and innovative, community-based approach to animal welfare. APA! continues to develop and share lifesaving best practices nationally through American Pets Alive!, its national division. American Pets Alive! also leads Human Animal Support Services (HASS), an initiative focused on rethinking traditional animal sheltering by supporting people and pets within their communities, reducing unnecessary shelter intake, and strengthening collaboration between animal welfare organizations and community-based services.

OUR EXPANDING WORK IN HAYS COUNTY: APA! is building upon this community-centered approach through an exciting partnership initiative in Hays County. Through Hays County Pets Alive!, a locally led and operated initiative launched by Austin Pets Alive!, APA! is working in partnership with PAWS Shelter of Central Texas to strengthen lifesaving programs, expand resources for pets and the people who love them, and build greater animal welfare capacity across Hays County.

PAWS Shelter of Central Texas has served Dripping Springs, Kyle, and surrounding communities for decades, providing no-kill sheltering and compassionate care for homeless pets. This partnership brings together PAWS' longstanding connection to the Hays County community with APA!’s lifesaving programs, resources, and experience to support the continued growth of animal welfare services throughout the region.

Team members supporting this work may have the opportunity to collaborate across Austin Pets Alive!, PAWS Shelter of Central Texas, and Hays County Pets Alive! as these organizations and initiatives work together toward shared lifesaving goals.

Learn more about PAWS Shelter of Central Texas at pawsshelter.org.

BRIEF POSITION SUMMARY/OVERVIEW:

The Veterinary Technician plays a key role in advancing the goals of APA!’s intake-to-placement programs by making sure that all pets are provided with accurate, timely medical treatments and preventative care so that they are placement-ready at the PAWS Kyle location. This position contributes directly to APA!’s mission to increase the live release rate across Texas by supporting a sustainable, inclusive, and high-impact model for shelter operations.

The Veterinary Technician is responsible for managing their daily responsibilities, maintaining clear priorities, and delivering consistent, high-quality work that aligns with APA!’s values and goals. This includes staying organized, using data or feedback to inform decisions, and following through on key tasks and responsibilities with minimal oversight. This is a hands-on, mission-driven role focused on results, reliability, and teamwork.

APA! is a volunteer-powered organization, so every staff member is expected to work alongside and support volunteers. The Animal Care & Placement Specialist collaborates closely with volunteers to complete day-to-day tasks, helps create a positive and inclusive environment, and actively contributes to a culture of shared effort and mutual respect.

This position involves shift flexibility, weekend hours, and high responsiveness.

Every individual at APA! is responsible for working in collaboration with volunteers; making sure volunteers are recruited, trained and feel impactful through their efforts at APA!. A core part of this role is creating a welcoming and empowering experience for volunteers, including assisting with onboarding, training, and volunteer engagement as part of the day-to-day workflow.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Maintain a safe, clean, and sanitary medical workspace while following established biosecurity, infection control, and medical waste disposal protocols
• Administer medications, vaccines, preventatives, and treatments accurately and within required timeframes, in accordance with APA Medical Protocol and SOPs
• Follow and execute veterinary technician protocols as directed by APA medical leadership and Shelter Director
• Perform clinical procedures, including blood draws, point-of-care diagnostic testing, PCV/TP, blood glucose testing, fecal examinations, skin scrapings, and blacklight examinations for ringworm screening
• Demonstrate working knowledge of medications listed in the organization's medical dose chart, including indications, dosage calculations, routes of administration, and relevant precautions
• Recognize common illnesses, injuries, signs of pain, and changes in patient condition; initiate appropriate responses within established protocols and promptly elevate concerns to veterinary personnel
• Assist veterinarians with examinations, diagnostic procedures, treatments, and surgical or recovery care as assigned and within the scope of training and authorization
• Maintain thorough, accurate, and timely electronic medical records documenting patient histories, vaccinations, preventatives, medications, diagnostic tests, results, and treatments
• Monitor patients' responses to treatment, identify potential complications or adverse medication reactions, and communicate significant findings to the appropriate medical personnel
• Be willing to train and share medical information with coworkers, volunteers, fosters, and adopters.
• Work with foster caregivers to provide medical care in accordance with APA Medical Protocols and SOPs. Explain in lay terms how they can provide medical care, and provide guidance in person and through virtual care.
• Provide emergency medical care as directed by APA veterinarians and leadership.
• Maintain medical equipment, supplies, and medication inventory to support safe, efficient, and consistent delivery of patient care
• Demonstrate proficiency in required shelter software, including ShelterLuv, Waitwhile, and Google Workspace, and collaborate effectively with veterinary, animal care, and other shelter teams to ensure continuity of care
• Actively contribute to a volunteer-powered culture by partnering with volunteers during every shift and helping create an inclusive, welcoming environment
• Work alongside volunteers to complete daily tasks, ensuring the work is shared and collaborative—not siloed
• Support the recruitment and onboarding process by welcoming new volunteers and helping them get oriented to the program
• Help retain volunteers by offering encouragement, guidance, and feedback during shared work
• Contribute to a positive culture by recognizing volunteer contributions through appreciation, gratitude, and shoutouts
• Help set volunteers up for success by clearly explaining tasks, providing hands-on guidance, and offering in-the-moment support
• Job duties may include some or all of the above, and other duties as assigned by manager

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Must demonstrate dependability, accountability, time management, use of reasoning, and good judgment skills
• Attend and participate in all required training sessions and meetings
• Maintain open and consistent communication with supervisor and other colleagues
• Partner with Volunteer Managers to learn about the volunteer programs and support volunteers interested in your department on an ongoing basis
• Able to react to change productively and perform other related duties as assigned
• Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
• Able to work in a high-volume, fast-paced, high-stress environment
• Comfortable working autonomously when given goals and deadlines

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, & EXPECTATIONS:

• Committed to embodying APA!’s Core Values: Innovation, Respect, Drive, Resourcefulness, and Inclusion, and cultural values: Humble, Hungry, Smart
• Commitment to APA!'s customer experience expectations
• Passion for working well with staff, volunteers, and customers—helping all individuals feel successful, appreciated, and connected to APA!’s mission
• Strong commitment to volunteer engagement and support; dedicated to working well with volunteers across all roles
• Comfortable working cross-functionally and serving as a liaison between volunteers, customers, and team members
• Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to interpret rules, procedures, and instructional materials
• Self-starter with strong time management; able to work independently and collaboratively
• Excellent interpersonal skills; maintains a calm and professional presence in all situations
• Strong attention to detail and high standards for quality
• Adaptable to change and able to perform related duties as needed
• Dedicated to delivering an exceptional and inclusive customer experience

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to routinely lift 40-50 pounds
• Must be able to work around animals (including diseased, injured, and/or potentially aggressive animals), loud noises, chlorine or other chemicals, and inclement weather
• Must be able to comfortably interact with cats/dogs of various health levels, including cats who may carry zoonotic diseases such as ringworm, scabies, intestinal parasites, etc.
• Must be able to walk big dogs that pull and jump
• Able to be on your feet for multiple hours of the day
• Must be able to visually observe people and animals from up to 150 feet away
• Ability to hear normal speech at close contact and shouting up to 150 feet away with the ability to hear and discern dog vocalizations both soft and loud
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to pass all required dog handling training required for this position
• Must be able to focus in a loud and busy environment despite distractions
• Will sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, stoop, bend, stretch, squat, kneel, grasp, grip, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level, lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds and push and pull up to 50 pounds for situations of moving supplies and setting up for events; repetitively use hands to operate computers; flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist.
• If reasonable accommodations are requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship to the organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Animal shelter office environment, with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals
• Uses own transportation to travel and transport
• Work is normally performed inside; some outside work is required
• Exposure to unpleasant odors and noises.
• Rapid pace with exposure to potential hazards including animal waste, disinfectants, and high levels of noise
• Potential for animal bites and scratches and diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people
• Occasional after-hours or weekend work may be required to support program needs

TIME COMMITMENT:

• This is a full-time, nonexempt position with an average of 40 hours per week
• Shift and schedule flexibility is required, as weekly schedule is subject to change
• Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed

PAY:

This position starts at $17.50/hr. Pay based on experience. Eligible employees will be able to receive up to $2/hr stipend within approximately 6 months through successful completion of internal APATec certifications (applicable to shelter operations, customer service, and medical roles). * Certifications and stipends are discretionary and subject to change based on business need.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: This position reports directly to the PAWS Shelter Director & Manager, currently Mara Hartsell, or another individual designated by APA!.

LOCATION(S):

• PAWS Kyle, 500 FM 150 East, Kyle, TX 78640
• PAWS Dripping Springs - 2965 Farm to Market 165, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
• May travel to offsite locations as needed

BENEFITS:

Austin Pets Alive! is proud to offer a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including subsidized employer-sponsored medical coverage, subsidized and voluntary life insurance, voluntary dental, vision and short-term disability options, all effective the first day of employment. We also offer voluntary wellness and emergency sick plans, up to 2% match on 401(K) retirement plan, supplemental benefits, flexible spending accounts and additional life coverage. Full-time employees receive 10 paid holidays and accrue 10 days paid time off during the first year of employment, with an additional 5 days of PTO accrual upon completion of 12 months of employment. Employees will also receive professional development opportunities through APA!’s ongoing mission to advance our animal welfare professionals in our life-saving work.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT

Austin Pets Alive! is an equal employment opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by the issues we engage on. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ people, women, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities to apply.

Austin Pets Alive! does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Austin Pets Alive! is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, community focus, and innovation.

APA! is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. To request an accommodation, please contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail] at least one week in advance of your interview.

When Austin Pets Alive! started rescuing animals in 2008, the City of Austin was focusing their resources on spay and neuter programs – causing the live outcome rate at our city shelter to hold steady at around 50% for nearly ten years. Austin Pets Alive! set out on a mission to change that.

Austin Pets Alive! is not your average animal shelter. We maintain comprehensive, innovative programs designed to save the animals most at risk for euthanasia.