Pay rate: To maintain internal equity, we have identified the starting range for this position at the Oakland Zoo as $28.68 - $34.21 per hour. An offer within this range will be determined by the experience and qualifications of a candidate and will be our best and final compensation offer.
*Applications accepted until February 16 2026.*
Application Process: Applicants selected for candidacy are required to attend an on-site working interview.
*Note: This is a part-time temporary position, anticipated to last until September 30, 2026. Extension is possible depending on the needs of the organization. *
Position Summary
The part-time veterinary technician will hold an essential role in the Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital – a 17,000 sq ft, state-of-the art facility set in the beautiful Oakland Hills. The Oakland Zoo is a leader in animal care and welfare with numerous conservation partners with whom the veterinary technician may be actively involved. This person will work collaboratively with our veterinary team - comprising 3 veterinarians, 4 veterinary technicians, and 3 hospital keepers.
Essential Job Duties
- Must be able to work 2-3 days per week and have availability for weekends and holidays.
- Maintain patient medical records and various logs including radiology, contraception, and controlled substance logs in accordance with regulations.
- Conduct laboratory diagnostics including fecal analysis, hematology, serum chemistry analysis, cytology, urinalysis, and water testing; procure, package, and ship laboratory samples.
- Assist veterinarians and full-time veterinary technicians in providing care, including anesthesia monitoring, venipuncture, surgical assistance, diagnostic imaging, dentistry, medical treatments, laboratory tasks and emergency care.
- Assist with ordering and maintaining medical supply inventory.
- Perform clinical tasks including but not limited to endotracheal intubation; anesthetic induction, monitoring, and recovery; IV catheter placement; medical calculations; fluid therapy; hand injections; and obtain diagnostic images using a variety of modalities including digital and dental radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans on a wide variety of zoological and domestic species.
- Perform and assist with chemical and manual restraint of a variety of species including remote delivery systems.
- Assist with training new volunteer technicians, veterinary students, externs, interns, and shadows.
- Clean, organize, and assist with maintaining the veterinary hospital and its equipment.
- Administer, fill, and dispense prescriptions as directed by the veterinarian.
- Assist with euthanasia and necropsy procedures as well as disposal of samples and hazardous waste.
- Create and uphold hospital procedures and policies.
- Participate in conservation efforts that are supported by the Oakland Zoo and provide medical care for animals that are part of these conservation programs which may include off-site field work.
- Participate in emergency preparedness programs and assist in preparing operating procedures for disaster response.
- ââParticipate in and support Oakland Zoo Marketing Department requests as well as hospital tours for visitors.â
- Perform other duties as required and assigned.
Who You Are
- Degree in Veterinary Technology or equivalent required from an AVMA approved, accredited Veterinary Technology Program
- Must be a Registered Veterinary Technician with the state of California and subsequently maintain RVT status throughout employmentâ¯
- Minimum of 3 years of clinical veterinary technical experience.âââ âââ
- Knowledge of the habits and hazards of working with non-domestic animals; willingness to work with some physical risk while observing proper safety precautions
- Valid Driver’s License and good driving record (ability to obtain authorization from the Zoo’s Insurance Carrier).
- Medical requirements:
- Negative TB test within the last year
- Tetanus vaccine within the last 10 years
- Rabies vaccine or proof of a protective rabies titer within the last 2 years
Bonus if you have
- Clinical veterinary experience in a zoological setting.
Supervisory Responsibility
None
Knowledge, Skills, and Qualities– May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position.
- Collaboration – builds trusting relationships with both internal and external stakeholders across our organization and community-wide and approaches differences of opinion with curiosity and humility.
- Communication – communicates respectfully and effectively with stakeholders across identities, both verbally and in writing
- Inclusive Culture - fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued.
- Inclusive Facilitation – able to comfortably move a group through pre-determined content while balancing inclusion and timing; able to flexibly weave in related content to make connections for learners and adjust or pivot when needed
- Leadership – mentors, advises, and develops people across identities with consideration for cultural relevance and responsiveness, self-awareness around implicit bias and understanding of the power dynamics that exist in organizations.
- Organization – strong attention to details and able to build and/or maintain efficient systems
- Time management – strong capabilities with a demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple commitments
- Sustainability – oriented toward the mission and values of the Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department
- Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo’s mission and PRIDE values at all times
- Wildlife Aware - understands mission to support the conservation and welfare of animals at The Zoo, locally and globally. This is demonstrated by a willingness/passion to reflect this mission in all actions and to continue to learn how to take action for wildlife
Physical Considerations- The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. (i.e., feed sack) and move a minimum of 120 lbs. (i.e., hay bale)
- Able to walk long distances on uneven terrain in variable environmental conditions (e.g., steep, muddy, etc.)
Benefits
Oakland Zoo offers part-time employees a valuable benefits package, including an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Paid Sick Time, optional 403b Retirement Plan, and a Zoo Membership. They also have access to various perks, discounts, and programs to enhance their overall experience.
Who We Are
Oakland Zoo (managed by The Conservation Society of California) is an award-winning facility stretching 100 acres and overlooking the city of Oakland atop the hills of beautiful Knowland Park. Our mission is to deepen connections with animals, save wildlife, and inspire champions for the natural world. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Zoo is part of the largest conservation organization in the nation. Our employees take PRIDE in our values of being Positive, Respectful, Inquisitive, Driven and Effective members of a team who places the care of our animals, stewardship of the natural environment, and the experience of our guests at the forefront of all that we do.
Oakland Zoo’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access
We believe that all people should have safe access to the Zoo and culturally relevant and responsive experiences with our staff, programs, and curriculum. Oakland Zoo is also striving to create an equitable and inclusive internal culture where all staff members feel represented and valued for their identities and lived experiences. We examine how power, bias, race, and other aspects of identity impact our organization. We work to build a culture of continuous learning and improvement toward a vision of equity and belonging for all staff. We are looking for team members who can actively join us in this process. We are committed to reflecting the diverse community in which we exist and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ identifying folks, and women to apply.
The Conservation Society of California is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, QAOV status, or other characteristics protected by law. The Conservation Society of California also promotes respect for all people and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics.
Oakland Zoo participates in E-Verify to verify work authorization.
