Veterinary Technician

Naples Zoo; Naples (FL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, and life ins.

403b retirement plan

Aflac and Employee Assistance Program

Zoo and vendor discounts

Continuing education funding

Job summary

Naples Zoo is seeking a leadership‑minded Veterinary Technician to coordinate medical procedures with the Zoo’s veterinarian and oversee hospital operations. You will work with a small team to ensure high standards of animal care and smooth daily workflow in a dynamic zoological setting.

The role includes supervising technicians, assisting with diagnostics and anesthesia, and maintaining comprehensive records in ZIMS and related systems. Weekend and on‑call availability may be required.

Qualifications

• Must have basic veterinary assisting skills and be able to work with diverse taxa.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities for cross‑department collaboration.
• Commitment to high standards of animal care and safety.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate medical procedures with the staff veterinarian and manage daily hospital operations.
• Monitor anesthesia, collect diagnostic samples, and assist with necropsies as needed.
• Maintain medical records in Animal Care Software and ZIMS.
• Oversee inventory, equipment maintenance, and facility upkeep.
• Mentor and train Animal Care Professionals and interns.

Education

AVMA-accredited veterinary technician program

Florida CVT or eligible

Job description

Description

The Veterinary Technician position at Naples Zoo will be responsible for coordinating medical procedures with the Zoo’s veterinarian, managing the hospital, and working with other technician staff to achieve smooth daily operations while providing the highest standard of animal care. This is a leadership role that requires the knowledge and ability to perform all duties of the Veterinary Technician listed below. This position will join a team of 1 Staff Veterinarian, 1 Veterinary Intern, and 1 other Certified Veterinary Technician.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Daily duties are primarily related to animal medical care and include preventative health and emergency procedure set-up and clean-up, diagnostic imaging and sample collection, patient monitoring, laboratory sample processing and analysis, quarantined and hospitalized patient care, and assistance with necropsies. Secondary duties include supply inventory management, equipment maintenance and service, and facility maintenance. A comprehensive list of duties is detailed below.

Animal Care

• Prepare treatment and surgical spaces for preventative health and emergency procedures
• Monitor patients under anesthesia
• Collect diagnostic samples from awake and anesthetized patients
• Perform daily veterinary care and husbandry for hospitalized and quarantined patients
• Prepare hospital and quarantine spaces for incoming patients
• Enter medical and husbandry records into Animal Care Software and ZIMS

Laboratory Tasks

• Process and store diagnostic samples including blood, urine, feces, semen, aspirates, and other bodily fluids and tissues on all taxa
• Perform in-house automated and manual analyses on blood, urine, feces, semen, aspirates, and other bodily fluids and tissues on all taxa
• Coordinate with outside laboratories for diagnostic testing (including histopathology and hay analysis)

Inventory Maintenance

• Maintain appropriate pharmaceutical, laboratory, and general supply inventory
• Maintain working relationships with vendors to coordinate supply ordering and resolve issues
• Catalogue incoming supplies and remove expired products from circulation
• Coordinate expired medication reverse distribution
• Maintain controlled drug logs as a hard copy and in ZIMS
• Ensure sterile instruments are available for scheduled and emergency procedures

Equipment Maintenance

• Maintain working relationships with vendors to service veterinary equipment
• Schedule and/or perform required maintenance on all veterinary equipment
• Report equipment issues or concerns to appropriate supervisors

Facilities Maintenance

• Ensure all hospital and quarantine spaces are clean, tidy, and available for incoming patients at all times
• Ensure tools, cage furniture, and other necessary items are in good repair and available for incoming patients at all times
• Submit maintenance and safety concerns and work orders to appropriate supervisors

Animal Training

• Coordinate with Animal Care Professionals to train medical behaviors with collection animals
• Create and implement behavioral training plans with guidance from Manager of Behavioral Husbandry for quarantined patients

Additional Duties

• Train and mentor Animal Care Professionals, interns, and veterinary externs
• Participate as a member of the Emergency Response Team as a darter
• Respond to and assist in guiding the resolution of Zoo emergencies
• Participate in animal transfers as neededCreate and update SOPs for patient care, internal and external laboratory protocols, equipment use and maintenance/servicing, and facilities use and maintenance
• Other duties as assigned

PREFERRED SKILLSET

• Knowledge of animal handling, capture, and restraint protocols and equipment
• Knowledge of medical and husbandry requirements of a wide range of taxa
• Knowledge of zoonotic diseases and minimizing occupational risk of transmission
• Knowledge of operant conditioning for animal behavioral training
• Knowledge of general safety and reporting protocols
• Knowledge of AZA, USDA, DEA, and FWC standards
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively via verbal and written means
• Ability to work well with a team in a variety of settings

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate of an AVMA accredited veterinary technician program
• Minimum 3 years of experience as a veterinary technician working in a zoological facility or equivalent is preferred
• Must possess a Florida Certificate of Veterinary Technician (CVT) or be eligible to obtain one within 90 days of hire
• Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license
• Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and occasional after-hours and on-call shifts

BENEFITS

• Compensation commensurate with experience
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance, 403b retirement account, Aflac, Employee Assistance Program, and Zoo and other vendor discounts
• Funding for continuing education, AZVT membership, and Florida technician certification

SPECIAL INFORMATION

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance

Naples Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The ADA requires Naples Zoo to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with the Human Resources Office.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Naples Zoo is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive company culture, and our team does not discriminate against candidates and employees because of their disability, sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under the law.