Zoological Veterinary Technician

City of Norfolk; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 12 days per year

17 holidays per year

Potential shift to four 10-hour weeks

On-site location near Chesapeake Bay

Job summary

The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk seeks a trained Zoological Veterinary Technician to support our animal health team in a dynamic zoo setting. You will assist veterinarians, monitor anesthesia, and help manage hospital operations for a diverse species collection.

The role requires Virginia LVT licensure, a two-year degree in veterinary technology, and 2+ years of postgraduate clinical zoo experience, with flexibility for shifts including nights or weekends.

Qualifications

• Two-year associate's degree in Veterinary Technology or equivalent.
• Must be a licensed veterinary technician in Virginia or eligible to become licensed.
• Minimum of 2 years postgraduate clinical experience as a veterinary technician, zoo experience preferred.
• AVMA accreditation knowledge or equivalent is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the veterinary clinic and hospital operations with veterinarians.
• Assist in surgeries, anesthesia monitoring, and patient care.
• Perform diagnostic tests and maintain medical records and supply logs.
• Train keepers for medical procedures and support research activities.
• Enforce safety and biosecurity protocols in a zoo setting.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

Associate degree in Veterinary Technology

Virginia LVT license / eligibility

Job description

The Virginia Zoo is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Zoological Veterinary Technician to join our animal health department. The growing department includes a Senior Director of Animal Health (diplomate of ACZM and ECZM), two associate veterinarians, an office manager/veterinary technician, a veterinary technician, a Lead Animal Health Keeper, two Animal Health Keepers, and an Animal Registrar. This new veterinary technician position supports the department’s continued expansion and will bring the total number of technician positions to three.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the care, health, and welfare of our diverse collection of species. As a vital part of the veterinary team, you’ll play a key role in maintaining the health and well-being of our resident animals and supporting global conservation efforts. Come live by the beautiful Chesapeake Bay; kayak launch sites are just outside our perimeter fence. We are situated 30 minutes from the ocean front and 3 hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Adding this position supports our commitment to ensuring a good work‑life balance for our team members. Team members accrue 12 days of PTO and 17 holidays (holidays can be banked up to 1 year if you work the holiday) per year. The veterinary technicians currently work a five 8‑hour work week, but there is potential to shift to a four 10‑hour work week once the team is fully staffed and trained. The Zoological Veterinary Technician provides clinical and technical support to veterinarians and oversees the daily operation of animal hospital. This position is responsible for animal care of hospitalized patients, medical assistance, and facility management related to veterinary treatments, and anesthesia monitoring and recovery, while ensuring the highest standards of safety, biosecurity, and animal welfare.

Department Hiring Salary Range: $50,077 – $60,000, commensurate with zoological medicine experience

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain and operate the veterinary clinic and laboratory in compliance with all relevant regulations
• Ensure cleanliness and maintenance of veterinary equipment and hospital areas
• Monitor and maintain appropriate environmental conditions for hospitalized and quarantined animals
• Assist veterinarians during medical procedures, surgeries, and exams
• Monitor animal anesthesia and recovery
• Perform diagnostic testing including bloodwork, urinalysis, fecal analysis, radiography, and other diagnostics as instructed by veterinarians
• Maintain accurate medical records, daily reports, inventories, and supply logs
• Prepare, dispense, and administer medications, vaccinations, and treatments as prescribed
• Work with keepers to train animals for medical behaviors such as voluntary blood collection and hand injections.
• Assist in approved research, field activities, and animal transportation between institutions
• Enforce zoo visitor safety regulations when applicable
• Support neonatal care and hand-rearing as needed
• Other duties as assigned by manager

Work Environment and Conditions

• May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, or on‑call shifts based on veterinary needs or animal cases.
• Involves indoor and outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• During severe weather events (e.g., hurricanes, snowstorms), may be required to remain on‑site as a member of the Zoo’s ride‑out team.
• Requires awareness of risks associated with working with exotic animals, including potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, and strict adherence to safety and biosecurity protocols

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong teamwork, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse professional environment.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to follow established protocols and maintain a safe working environment.

Work requires knowledge of a specific vocational, administrative, or technical nature which may be obtained with a two-year associate's degree, diploma or equivalent from a college, technical, business, vocational, or correspondence school. Appropriate certification may be awarded upon satisfactory completion of advanced study or training.

Preferred License(s) and/or Certification(s)

• Must be a licensed veterinary technician (LVT) in the state of Virginia or have the ability to obtain licensure in the state of VA prior to start date.
• Minimum of 2 years postgraduate clinical experience as a veterinary technician with 1-2 years of experience working in a zoo setting
• Associate or Bachelor’s (preferred) degree in Veterinary Technology from a program approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association

Additional Preferred Experience

• General knowledge of technical skills, restraint techniques, anatomy, physiology, and diseases of a wide variety of non‑domestic species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians
• Knowledge of and proficiency in laboratory diagnostic techniques for evaluation of samples including hematology, biochemistry, fecal examination and cytology.
• Experience administering medications to non‑domestic species under veterinarian supervision, ordering and monitoring supplies, drugs and medical equipment.
• Other responsibilities include tracking drug expirations, logging drug inventory, and maintaining stock as well as consulting with keepers for information concerning drug administration and updates on the animal's health.
• Experience utilizing remote drug delivery systems

Musthave National Veterinary Technician Certification and become licensed in the state of Virginia prior to start date.

Must have a valid drivers’ license and obtain a Virginia driver’s license within 6 months of start date.

Must become CPR certified within 6 months of start date.

Work hours

Working a flexible schedule, which can vary. Working weekends and holidays may be required.

Work location

Virginia Zoological Park, 3500 Granby Street, Norfolk 23504