Veterinary Technician

Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden seeks a Registered Veterinary Technician to provide medical care for its diverse animal collection. The role supports veterinarians in anesthesia, imaging, laboratory testing, and emergency response, ensuring health and welfare of wildlife while advancing conservation goals.

Responsibilities include performing technical medical duties, maintaining medical records, and collaborating with veterinary and animal care teams across the Zoo's conservation

Qualifications

• Experience equivalent to one year of full-time clinical work with zoo or exotic species.
• Associate degree in Veterinary Technology required.
• Oklahoma Registered Veterinary Technician license
• Valid Oklahoma driver's license within 30 days of hire and driver history check
• Completion of LMS training within first six months of employment

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians in medical procedures and support anesthesia, imaging, labs, and emergency response.

Skills

Veterinary anesthesia

Radiology

Clinical pathology

Parasitology

Interpersonal communication

Organization & time management

Animal handling & restraint

Safety & compliance

Education

Associate degree in Veterinary Technology

Tools

Word processing

Database software

Spreadsheet software

Job description

Bring your veterinary skills to the wild side! The Oklahoma City Zoo is seeking a Registered Veterinary Technician to help provide exceptional medical care for our diverse animal collection. From anesthesia and diagnostic imaging to laboratory testing and emergency response, you will work alongside our veterinary and animal care teams to protect the health and well-being of wildlife while supporting the Zoo's mission of conservation.

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Starting Pay Range: $21.20 to $24.38 hourly

Department: Veterinary Services

Reports to: Veterinary Clinic Coordinator

Supervisory Responsibility: Direct (0); Indirect (0)

Primary Work Location: Zoo setting, both indoors and outdoors

Job Summary

The Veterinary Technician performs a variety of technical animal medical duties in support of veterinary operations and assists Zoo veterinarians in maintaining the health of the animal collection.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience Required: Experience equivalent to one year of full-time clinical work with zoo or exotic species, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Minimum Education Requirements: Associate degree in Veterinary Technology.

Certification:

• Oklahoma Registered Veterinary Technician license
• Valid Oklahoma driver's license within thirty days of hire and successful completion of a driver history check
• Completion of required Learning Management System training within the first six months of employment

Knowledge of:

• Veterinary nursing principles and practices
• Animal handling and restraint techniques for medical procedures
• State and federal statutes, regulations, and guidelines for pharmaceutical recordkeeping
• Computer software applications, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet programs
• Oklahoma City Zoo programs, activities, exhibits, and events
• Policies and procedures of the Oklahoma City Zoo and assigned department and area

Skills in:

• Veterinary technical procedures, including anesthesia, radiology, euthanasia, dentistry, surgical assisting, clinical pathology, and parasitology
• Preparing records, reports, and correspondence using appropriate formats and computer software
• Triage techniques for veterinary medical emergencies
• Interpersonal communication
• Organization and time management

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Zoo management, animal management staff, veterinarians, and external professionals
• Practice safe work methods, identify workplace hazards, and use appropriate safety equipment
• Work a flexible schedule, including on-call shifts, evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency situations
• Report to work or continue working during emergencies or operational disruptions
• Drive within Oklahoma throughout the year

Physical Demands

• Walk, sit, and stand for extended periods
• Independently push, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds and assist with lifting more than 50 pounds
• Bend, stoop, kneel, and move intermittently throughout the day
• Work around fumes, odors, dust, moving mechanical parts, and vehicles
• Work in extreme weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, and ice
• Work around potentially dangerous animals and zoonotic diseases

Other:

This is a safety-sensitive position and is subject to pre-employment and/or periodic background checks and drug testing. Because this position works around animals susceptible to specific respiratory diseases, annual tuberculosis testing is required. This position also requires periodic handling of native wildlife; therefore, rabies vaccination and periodic protective titer testing are required.