Have you always dreamed of working with elephants, orangutans, Komodo dragons, and more? Are you seeking a zoo with a fantastic collection of animals and a supportive team? Do you want to live in an affordable area with pleasant weather year-round? Join the Birmingham Zoo’s Animal Health Center (AHC) team!
We are currently looking for two enthusiastic licensed veterinary technicians who are passionate about zoo medicine, teamwork, and fostering a positive culture. Grow your clinical skills by assisting with anesthetic exams, surgeries, in-house diagnostic testing, and more.
The Birmingham Zoo is home to over 500 incredible animals representing more than 150 species. Work-life balance is a core value for both the Animal Health Team and the Birmingham Zoo, allowing you to fully enjoy your days off. Birmingham is a vibrant city with plenty to offer, including endless dining and shopping options, great hiking trails, and nearby outdoor activities. Plus, the beach is just a few hours away!
This is an exciting time to join the AHC team as we plan a brand-new Veterinary Teaching Hospital! The zoo’s teaching hospital will collaborate with veterinary and veterinary technician schools, as well as local specialists, to deliver cutting-edge medical care for all species, from honeybees to giraffes. If this sounds like your dream job, apply below!
Great benefits for the Veterinary Technicians
- Veterinary technician license transfer fees and renewal costs covered
- Continuing education requirements paid for, including registration, time off, and travel if applicable
- Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians (AZVT) annual membership dues covered
- Support can be provided for applicants wishing to pursue Veterinary Technician Specialty certification in zoological medicine
- A variety of teamwear provided, including scrub tops, allowing employees to stay comfortable with branded apparel options for every season
- Generous paid time off, including 10 paid holidays, bereavement, pet bereavement, parental leave, voting leave, and jury duty
- In the event of inclement weather, employees required to work, including vet techs, will receive time and a half for hours worked. If an overnight stay is required, additional compensation will be provided. Employees scheduled to work but not required to report in will receive their regular pay for the scheduled hours.
- Competitive medical benefits package, including comprehensive health coverage, vision and dental care, and access to telehealth services
- Disability and life insurance coverage available, to provide financial protection and peace of mind for employees and their families in case of unexpected events
- Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides confidential support for personal or work-related issues, including stress, mental health, family concerns, financial guidance, and legal advice, helping employees maintain well-being and productivity
- 401K plan with a significant company match, available after one year of employment
- After one year of employment, employees are eligible to apply for the Passion Into Conservation Action (PiCA) grant, a zoo-funded opportunity supporting conservation research projects
- Free zoo membership and discounted memberships to other local tourist attractions
- One free week per year of Children's Zoo Camp and additional weeks at a discounted rate
- Discounts at food and beverage locations within the zoo, as well as in the zoo gift shop
- and much more!
Veterinary Technician
SUMMARY
The Veterinary Technician is responsible for laboratory procedures, anesthetic monitoring, records, equipment, and medications at the Animal Health Center (AHC), as well as support of the daily husbandry activities of the animals in quarantine or under observation at the clinic. Collectively with other zoo staff, these activities will ensure the health and wellbeing of the collection and serves to further the mission of Birmingham Zoo, Inc. (BZI) through conservation efforts in a humane and respectful manner.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Participation and management of the cases under supervision of the veterinarians.
- Participation in anesthetic events (induction, intubation, monitoring).
- Performing or assisting with necropsies.
- Equipment use and maintenance (Digital radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, microscope, IDEXX blood machines, remote darting equipment).
- Management and entry of patient records (anesthesia records, laboratory results, fecal results, and prescriptions) in ZIMS.
- Calculating, filling, compounding, and administering prescriptions.
- Performing necessary medical treatments for animals within the collection.
- Proficient in laboratory techniques (fecal analysis, urinalysis, hematology (including manual differentials on mammals, avian, reptiles, and elephants), water coliform testing, and cytology).
- Responsible for capturing, crating, and transferring animals using appropriate restraint and handlingtechniques designed to put the least amount of stress on the animal.
- Preparing and packaging various samples for shipment or archive.
- Familiarity with the protocols for handling Class II narcotics and all controlled substances.
- Assist in daily husbandry of hospitalized and quarantine patients.
- Ensures the AHC is maintained, clean and orderly according to AZA and USDA standards and protocol.
- Participates in behavioral training of animals for medical procedures.
- Performs euthanasia of animals as directed by the Veterinarians.
- Communicates problems, issues, or concerns as it relates to the collection, staff or public to the Veterinarian or other senior staff.
Professional
- The technician is expected to become a member of the Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians (AZVT).
- The technician is encouraged to become a member of the Alabama Veterinary Technicians Association (AVTA).
SUPERVISES
- No direct reports. Will aid in supervision and training of veterinary technician externs and AHC volunteers.
SAFETY ANALYSIS
The Veterinary Technician position is impacted by a wide variety of hazardous exposures:
- Depending on assignment, the Vet Tech may have to deal with the unpredictability of wild animals.
- The care and husbandry of animals, some of whom are dangerous.
- The proper use and understanding of cleaning agents.
- A hospital environment with all hazards common to the health industry such as needles, medications, USDA drugs, radiograph equipment, etc.
- The handling of Class II narcotics and controlled substances.
- The handling of remote darting equipment.
Specific training and procedures will be provided designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection.
The use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment is mandatory.
The Veterinary Technician, as with any staff member of the zoo, are required to be familiar with the Zoo’s overall safety policies as outlined in the staff handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, staff should expect:
- Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls.
- Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch and talk or hear.
- Routinely lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
- Exposure to wet surfaces during daily cleaning.
- Exposure to the elements.
