Veterinary Technician

FHLB Des Moines; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center seeks a licensed Veterinary Technician to join the Veterinary Science & Research team. You will assist in medical care, preventative health programs, and work with a range of animals from fish to marine mammals.

You will follow protocols, document cases in ZIMS, and support diagnostics, imaging, anesthesia, and surgeries under supervision. The role requires flexibility for after-hours and weekend shifts and a strong commitment to animal welfare.

Qualifications

• Must have Virginia veterinary technician license in good standing.
• Current and valid driver’s license.
• Experience with diverse animal species in aquarium/zoo setting preferred.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays and overtime when required.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinary staff in diagnosis, treatment, and health maintenance of all aquarium animals.
• Record and document cases in medical records (ZIMS) accurately.
• Prepare for regular exams and rounds with required equipment.
• Assist with sedation, anesthesia, surgery prep, and post-op care.
• Administer medications, monitor patients, and adjust care under supervision.
• Perform sample collection, in-house testing, and assist with external labs.
• Maintain equipment, inventory and sterilization of instruments.
• Communicate treatment plans to animal care staff and volunteers.

Skills

Licensed veterinary technician

Valid driver’s license

Strong communication

Public speaking/guest engagement

Education

Virginia Veterinary Technician License

Tools

ZIMS

Digital radiography

i-STAT

Ultrasound equipment

Job description

Job Posting End Date:October 6, 2026Department:VIRGINIA AQUARIUMCompensation Grade:G20Compensation Range & Starting Salary:Pay Range: $44,907.20 - $69,971.20Starting Salary: Based on qualifications and experience.Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime):NoScheduled Weekly Hours:40About Us:Recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024, the City of Virginia Beach is proud to offer a diverse and dynamic work environment. Our workforce plays a crucial role in delivering exceptional government services to both our citizens and fellow City employees. Apply now to join an organization where you truly make a difference.Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications:The Virginia Aquarium is seeking a licensed Veterinary Technician with experience working with a diverse range of animals—including fish, elasmobranchs, reptiles, birds, and both terrestrial and marine mammals—to join it's Veterinary Science & Research team. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting the team in providing medical care, including a comprehensive preventative health care program, to the Aquarium’s resident animals.Duties:Assist the veterinary staff in the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions, disease, injury, and health maintenance of all animals at the Virginia Aquarium.Following the directions of senior veterinary staff (or approved protocols) while often working independently, perform minor medical procedures, diagnostic tests, and carry out prescribed treatments and therapies.Create and maintain accurate case documentation into the medical record keeping system (ZIMS) and other relevant databases.Monitor and observe the behavior and condition of animal patients, as well as their health indicators and clinical signs, and report appropriately to the veterinarians.Maintain and perform skills for a variety of sample collection techniques, sample preparation for send out to external diagnostic labs, in-house laboratory testing, and other diagnostics tests.Properly utilize equipment such as: digital radiograph system, ultrasound, endoscope, bronchoscope, incubator, ventilator, i-STAT, therapeutic laser, centrifuges.Conduct diagnostic imaging, including patient positioning, exposure techniques, ALARA, and uploading images for veterinarian review.Prepare for regular veterinary exams and rounds with all needed equipment and supplies. Assist veterinary staff with examinations, recording, and communicating treatment plans to animal care staff.Under direct supervision of the Aquarium veterinarians, assist with procedures requiring sedation and/or anesthesia, intubation, or surgery. Perform pre- and post-op surgery duties; prepare and set-up anesthesia and surgery equipment; administer anesthesia and monitor animals’ response adjusting dosages as indicated; sterile prep of animals and equipment; scrub in as a surgical assistant; recovery and post-op monitoring; supportive care.Accurately calculate dosages, prepare, and administer medications, fluids, and other treatments, as prescribed by the Aquarium veterinarians. Dispense prescribed medications and assist in maintaining animal staff training schedule for medical administration protocols.Perform and/or assist with euthanasia as directed by the Aquarium veterinarians.Perform and/or assist with necropsies, post-mortem sampling, and data collection.Assist the Lead Veterinary Technician – Hospital Manager, in maintaining needed supplies and equipment across several Aquarium facilities:o Monitor and report inventory of medical supplies, medications, and dispensed medicationso Maintain controlled drugs logs.o Clean and sterilize instruments and materials.o Maintain veterinary equipment and machineso Daily, weekly and monthly cleaning and maintenanceAssist in developing protocols for and the training of other staff, volunteers, and interns.Ensure veterinary protocols are adhered to and required staff safety training is updated according to approved schedules.Adhere to all regulations, standards and guidelines of OSHA, USDA, DEA, AZA and Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine, ensuring compliance in all areas.Coordinate with veterinary team in carrying out daily/week medical care plans, communicating and scheduling with animal care staff as needed.Communicate regularly with the Hospital Manager, and Veterinarians regarding the status of medical cases (medical procedures, treatments, diagnostics).Maintain quality standards through regular maintenance and cleaning activities; keep service areas and personal workspace clean and organized.Maintain courteous and professional demeanor in all interactions with volunteers, staff, collaborators, guests visiting the Aquarium, and the public.Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on current workloads and department need.Preferences:Bachelor’s degree or higher in veterinary technology, animal sciences, biology, zoology, conservation, or another related field.Three (3) or more years of experience working as a licensed veterinary technician.One (1) or more years working in an animal care related position at an aquarium, zoo, wildlife facility.Prior experience working as a veterinary technician in an avian, exotic or urgent/emergency veterinary practice.Prior experience working with sea turtles, teleosts, elasmobranchs or marine mammals.Knowledge and experience performing basic live animal diagnostic testing, use of portable blood gas analyzers such as Istat, reading fecal cytology, collecting and recording vital signs, blood draw and sample preparation, digital radiograph safety and technique.Experience with public speaking or guest engagement (e.g. oral presentations, guest experiences or tours) and communicating biological or veterinary concepts and conservation messaging.Experience in assisting with and conducting necropsies, including proper sample collection.Experience working in and around water.Strong listening, communication, retention, and interpersonal skills.Ability to maintain highest levels of professionalism and a positive attitude, as a representative of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, and the City of Virginia Beach.Ability and willingness to both provide and follow direction and procedures from other staff to ensure the health and safety of staff, volunteers and animal patients, and to ensure compliance with laws and guidelines.Work Schedule: 5 days per week, 8-hour day shifts including up to one weekend day per week, and rotational standby coverage. Schedule may change seasonally or annually depending on program needs. Must be available to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime when required to meet operational needs.Required to receive rabies pre-exposure vaccination provided by the City's Occupational Health Services Office.The City of Virginia Beach provides a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health, dental, and life insurance, retirement and savings plans, maternity, paternity, and parental leave, as well as paid holidays and leave. Additional key benefits include:• Employee Wellness Program• Tuition Reimbursement• Professional Development Opportunities• Employee Assistance ProgramAdditional Requirements:• DMV Transcript: Yes• CDL: No• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: No• CPS Check: No• Physical: No• Respirator: No• Psychological Screening: No• Polygraph: No• At Will: NoMinimum Requirements:Minimum Qualifications: Must have a current license, in good standing, to practice as a veterinary technician in Virginia in accordance with Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine eligibility requirements prior to first day of employment. Must have a current and valid driver’s license. Special Requirements: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Must be available to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime when required to meet operational needs. This position may require that incumbents wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, steel-toed shoes, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, or other safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employee’s supervisor based on position assigned. Alpha I Status: Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City’s operational status. Stranding Response Must be able to work weekly 24 hour on-call rotating shift. Physically able to swim, hike up to 5 miles in all weather, lift 50 lbs., carry 30 lbs. Able to effectively travel and work on a boat in open water with varied marine and weather conditions.Skills:Working Conditions:Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business.The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile. Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/P10345.pdfOfficial Job Descriptions:To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=EVRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.