Job Duties:
The Virginia Aquarium’s Veterinary Science & Research section is seeking a licensed Veterinary Technician with experience with a wide diversity of animals (fish, elasmobranchs, reptiles, birds, terrestrial and marine mammals) to join the veterinary team in providing medical care, including a comprehensive preventative health care program, to the Aquarium’s resident animals.
Duties:
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
Working Conditions:
https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/B.006698.3.pdf
Minimum Requirements:
MINIMUMS: 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, or obtain, a current and valid Virginia or North Carolina drivers license in accordance with Virginia or North Carolina DMV drivers license eligibility requirements. 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 employees supervisor based on position assigned. This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to mandatory drug testing and annual exams. Positive drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination. Successful completion of a pre-employment physical. Upon hire, the selected candidate will be required to receive rabies pre-exposure vaccination provided by the City of Virginia Beach Occupational Safety and Health Services. Alpha I Status: Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the Citys 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.
Additional Requirements:
DMV Transcript: Required
CDL: Not Required
DOT History: Not Required
CPS Check: Not Required
Physical: Required
Respirator: Not Required
Polygraph Review: Not Required
Psychological Screening: Not Required
Attachments Required:
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 or exotic pet veterinary practice.
- Prior experience working with sea turtles, teleosts, elasmobranchs or marine mammals.
- Knowledge and experience performing basic live animal diagnostic tests including collecting and recording vital signs, blood draw and preparation, use if portable blood gas analyzers such as i-STAT, 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 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 to laws and guidelines.
Special Instructions:
This vacancy announcement is a repost. If you have submitted an application it will remain under consideration and you do not need to reapply.
This position is open until filled. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis.
VRS 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.