Veterinary Technician III (Full-Time)

ZooTampa; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan

Generous PTO

Employee Assistance Program

Free zoo admission

Discounted gym membership

Educational programs

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

ZooTampa seeks a Veterinary Technician III, full-time, to join a collaborative veterinary team caring for a diverse range of species at our Tampa facility. Under supervision of veterinarians, you will provide skilled technical support, assist with anesthesia, diagnostics, and in-house labs, mentor volunteers, and help maintain medical records.

Qualified applicants hold a Florida VT credential, have 5+ years zoo/aquarium experience (or 8+ in animal hospitals), and can lift up to 50 lbs and work

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Veterinary Technology program and Florida CVT credentialing.
• Minimum five years as a veterinary technician in a zoo/aquarium setting; eight years in a hospital setting.
• Experience training and mentoring volunteers/interns.
• Knowledge of nursing, restraint, anesthesia, sample collection, and medical records.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians and technicians with procedures, anesthesia, monitoring, and treatments.
• Support medical care for Florida Manatees at the Manatee Critical Care Center.
• Respond to health concerns, triage emergencies, and coordinate with care teams.
• Perform in-house diagnostics, radiographs, ultrasound, lab tests, and sample processing.
• Assist preventive medicine, vaccinations, parasite prevention, quarantine, and health monitoring.
• Maintain hospital areas, equipment, and supplies; aid in necropsy prep and cleanup.
• Train, onboard, and mentor volunteers and interns; maintain medical records.
• Participate in donor and educational activities as needed.

Skills

Veterinary nursing

Animal restraint

Anesthesia monitoring

Communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Documentation

Education

Accredited VT program (Florida CVT)

Job description

Position: Veterinary Technician III (Full-Time)

Location: Tampa, FL

Job Id: 2634

# of Openings: 1

Are you a Certified Veterinary Technician with a deep-seated passion for animal welfare and conservation?

• Do you have specialized experience in non-domestic animal medicine within a zoo, aquarium, or related facility?
• Can you adapt to different species' needs and administer complex treatments, both independently and within a team?
• Are you equipped with the knowledge and skills to assist veterinarians during intricate procedures, and can you efficiently perform in house lab tests?
• Do you want to work in an organization where your technical skills can be leveraged for the greater mission of animal conservation and education?

If these questions resonate with you, ZooTampa is looking to fill a Veterinarian Technician position. This is a critical role where you'll be an integral part of a collaborative veterinary team dedicated to the health and well-being of a diverse range of animals.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Veterinarians and Veterinary Technician leadership, the Veterinary Technician III provides skilled veterinary technical support for the medical care of zoological animals at ZooTampa.

Who We Are

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is one of the most popular zoos in the southeastern U.S., with over 1.2 million visitors annually. We have grown to what now encompasses 56 acres of naturalistic wildlife habitats in a lush, tropical garden setting with wide-ranging activities. The Zoo, accredited by Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), offers popular educational programming, fun recreational amenities, up-close animal encounters and engaging seasonal events for which it has won awards as one of the country’s most family-friendly zoos.

Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and care for animals; create exceptional personalized experiences that connect people with wildlife and each other in fun, immersive ways.

Our vision is that everyone we touch is motivated to join us in taking action to protect and preserve wildlife.

Join us and become a part of creating unforgettable natural connections!

Your day to day

Essential Functions (including, but not limited to):

• Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians with animal medical procedures, including restraint, anesthesia, medication administration, monitoring, sample collection, diagnostic imaging, recovery, and other treatments as directed.
• Assist with the medical care and treatment of Florida Manatees at the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center under the direction of the veterinary team.
• Respond to animal health concerns, assist with triage and emergencies, and facilitate communication between the veterinary and Animal Care teams.
• Assist with diagnostic and laboratory procedures, including radiographs, ultrasound, endoscopy, sample collection and processing, in house testing, and submission of samples to outside laboratories.
• Assist with routine preventive medicine programs, including vaccinations, parasite prevention, contraception, quarantine, and health monitoring.
• Assist with animal husbandry within the veterinary hospital, including feeding, cleaning, enclosure maintenance, and patient observation as needed.
• Assist with necropsy examinations and maintain necropsy areas and equipment in a clean, organized, and safe condition.
• Ability to work under general supervision and independently, applying sound judgment, initiative, and problem solving skills to interpret and carry out written and verbal instructions within established protocols and scope of responsibility.
• Collaborates with the management team in the development, review, implementation, and refinement of veterinary medical protocols, procedures, and policies.
• Work with animal care team members on maintaining voluntary medical behaviors under the direction of the veterinarian.
• Assist with the training, onboarding, mentorship, and ongoing development of volunteers and interns.
• Complete accurate medical records and assist with documentation of treatments, laboratory results, and other veterinary information.
• Maintain hospital areas, equipment, and supplies in a clean, organized, functional, and inspection ready condition.
• Participate in donor, educational, marketing, and internal activities as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support veterinary medical care and daily hospital operations.

What are we looking for?

Qualifications and Experience:

• Graduate of an accredited Veterinary Technology program and current Florida CVT credentialing.
• Must have worked a minimum of five full years as a veterinary technician in a zoo or aquarium setting, eight full years in an animal hospital setting or equivalent experience.
• Previous experience training, mentoring, and managing volunteers and/or interns.
• Working knowledge of veterinary nursing, animal restraint, medication administration, anesthesia monitoring, sample collection, patient care, and medical documentation.
• Ability and willingness to learn species specific husbandry, behavior, medical needs, and occupational hazards.
• Strong communication, teamwork, organization, and problem solving skills, with the ability to remain calm and professional during emergencies.
• Ability to follow veterinary protocols, safety procedures, animal welfare standards, and direction from veterinarians and veterinary technician leadership.

Other Requirements

• Comply with AZA standards, applicable laws and regulations, institutional policies, safety requirements, and animal welfare standards.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and safely perform the physical requirements of veterinary and animal care operations.
• Ability to work in Florida outdoor conditions, including heat, humidity, and rain, and around a variety of zoological species, including large, aquatic, and potentially dangerous animals.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including weekends, holidays, and variable or extended hours for manatee critical care cases and animal emergencies.
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to adjust priorities based on animal health needs and veterinary hospital operations.
• Maintain effective and professional working relationships with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal care staff, and other zoo departments.

Our Perks at ZooTampa

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Options
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Generous PTO plan (Vacation and Wellness time)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free admission to the Zoo, MOSI, Glazer Children's Museum and the Florida Aquarium
• Free or discounted admission to many attractions in Florida
• Discounted gym membership
• And so much more!

Equal Opportunity Employer & Drug-Free Workplace