Veterinary Technician

Position Title: Licensed Veterinary Technician, Central Park Zoo
Reports to: Animal Curator, Central Park Zoo and Clinical Veterinarian assigned to City Zoos.
Positions Managed: Veterinary Technician Students
Location: Central Park Zoo/On-Site
Department: Central Park Zoo Animal Department
Scope: Primarily Central Park Zoo, periodic work at other WCS Parks or field projects.
Position Type: Full Time, On-site

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.

Job Summary

The Central Park Zoo (CPZ) Veterinary Technician assists veterinarians in providing healthcare for animals in the WCS collections. While primarily based at CPZ, the Veterinary Technician periodically participates in health care activities at other WCS Parks or field projects. The Veterinary Technician is responsible for managing the zoo's clinic and coordinating veterinary cate with Animal Department managers.

Major Responsibilities

• Perform and monitor medical treatments and provide husbandry care for hospitalized and quarantined animals. Perform and monitor medical treatments for animals housed elsewhere in the zoo as required.
• Prepare for, assist during, and clean up after surgical and anesthetic procedures in the clinic and on zoo grounds. This includes providing anesthetic induction, venipuncture, placement of IV catheters, fluid therapy, and radiography as directed by veterinarians.
• Coordinate regular veterinary visits including scheduling, preparing the list of cases and required background information. Provide support during rounds, and complete required recordkeeping and follow-up.
• Maintain zoo clinic, laboratory, and pharmacy to ensure appropriate veterinary care can be provided at any time. Maintain appropriate stock of supplies, medications, equipment, and instruments. Ensure the zoo pharmacy and all drugs are properly stored and managed as directed by the veterinarian and in accordance with all local, state, and Federal regulations.
• Under the direction of the veterinarian, compound, calculate, and dispense medications and treatment forms to animal care staff.
• Schedule and administer preventative medical treatments including routine vaccinations and deworming in accordance with guidelines established by veterinarians. Train animal care staff as needed for their participation. Ensure all animals receive required preventative medicine and maintain accurate documentation.
• Perform clinical pathology testing including Complete Blood Count (CBC), urinalysis, fecal exams, cytology, point of care biochemical tests, STAT biochemical tests, water coliform testing, and other lab diagnostics as required in a zoo laboratory setting. Prepare and ship laboratory samples in accordance with current IA TA shipment regulations.
• Operate veterinary diagnostic imaging equipment including portable and stationary radiography, endoscopy, and ultrasound systems. Position animals for imaging and accurately configure, label, and archive diagnostic images.
• Facilitate communication between Animal Department managers and veterinarians. Actively and effectively communicate with other WCS Veterinary Technicians.
• Communicate and coordinate with personnel at other institutions regarding pre-shipment medical testing and other requirements.
• Undertake or assist in the disposition of nuisance wildlife potentially injurious to the zoo collection, including euthanasia, under the direction of a veterinarian.
• Maintain and update written and computerized medical records in ZIMS. Submit a daily report to the Animal Department Supervisor.
• Serve on emergency immobilization team and maintain readiness for animal emergencies, including periodic dart preparation and training sessions for Animal Department supervisory personnel.
• Supervise Veterinary Technician students.
• Complete and maintain FDNY Certificates of Fitness as required for the clinic's safe operation.
• Perform related tasks and duties as required.

Qualifications

• Veterinary technician degree required
• New York State Veterinary Technician license
• Or license eligible to obtain licensure within 6 months of hire, required
• Must understand and be able to comply with DEA regulations pertaining to controlled substances in veterinary practice
• Full-time Veterinary Technician experience in a small and/ or large animal practice with preference given to those with previous experience working in a zoological setting
• Ability to work in a complex healthcare environment with animals of diverse taxa
• Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team of animal care and veterinary professionals
• Must be able to work independently under the direction of veterinarians based at other WCS parks and on-site Animal Department managers
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in. English
• Ability to use basic office computer software (e.g. MS Word, Excel, Outlook) and ability to become proficient with ZIMS animal/medical records software
• Ability to represent WCS in a professional manner and to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with employees, colleagues, City and other government agencies, outside contractors, and the general public
• Valid NY, NJ, or CT Driver license preferred

Requested Application Documents (Serious Inquires Only)

Please note to be considered, you'll need to provide the following documents with your application:

• Cover Letter (highlighting diverse list of taxa)
• Resume

Equal Employment Opportunity Disclaimer

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities.

Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $52,700.00 - $58,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Continuing education credits
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Healthcare setting:

• Hospital
• Teaching hospital

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Holidays
• Overtime
• Rotating weekends
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• New York, NY: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person