Senior Animal Care Technician (Veterinary Technician)

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This imperative position performs a variety of technical animal health tasks encompassing animal management, diagnostic laboratory and surgical procedures, and therapy and treatment techniques.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists the veterinarian with emergency animal treatment, routine examinations, and vaccinations.
• Assists veterinarian with surgery, including sterilization of instruments and surgical area, animal rep, and monitoring of vital signs; monitors post-operative recovery and reports changes in condition.
• Assists public and provide medical services to pets in the Wellness and Foster Clinics.
• Expedite medical services to sick and/or injured animals including parvo testing, skin scrapes, radiographs, etc.
• Educate the adopters about the medical issues of animals upon adoption.
• Administer selected medications to animals as prescribed by veterinarian.
• Prepare medication for the animals leaving the shelter.
• Prepares specimens and performs diagnostic laboratory tests, e.g., microscopic egg counts, etc.
• Maintains accurate animal health and surgical records.
• Provides a complete workup to animals from the field including age-appropriate vaccinations, dewormer and FIV/FELV or HW testing.
• Monitors all animals, including those that may be isolated or quarantined, for signs of illness or unusual behavior; makes notations and reports problems regarding health and behavior of animals to the supervisors or veterinarians as needed.
• Feed and water animals and clean cages and areas as needed.
• Transports animals from cages and restrain animals weighing up to 120 pounds for injections, medication, and examination.
• Responsible for the use of positive reinforcement and low stress handling techniques.
• Attends classes on low stress animal handling and continuing education courses as it applies to the animal sheltering field.
• Performs the euthanasia of animals by injecting selected animals with controlled substances, in accordance with established laws and departmental policy as needed; disposes of the euthanized animal.
• May assist other BARC departments or may be asked to perform other duties as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position requires extensive physical exertion, such as lifting heavy objects of at least 80 pounds on frequent basis, deep bending, climbing of steps and/or assuming awkward positions. There are frequent exposures to extreme levels of temperature, air pollution, noise pollution, chemical gases and substances, and/or contagious diseases or physical trauma conditions of a short-term disabling nature, such as broken bones or temporary loss of sight or hearing. Requires the ability to make closely coordinated eye/hand movements within very fine tolerance and/or calibration demands; or the ability to make rapid closely coordinated eye/hand movements on a patterned response space within somewhat fine tolerance demands; or the ability to make coordinated eye/hand movements within fine tolerances with large equipment as an extension of the worker.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

Requires a high school diploma or a GED.

Additional education beyond the high school level may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.

EXPERIENCE

Two years of experience in the care and handling of animals are required.

Must obtain Euthanasia Certification within one year of employment.

LICENSE

None

PREFERENCES

**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6. **

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED
Department may administer skills assessment test

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION– NO

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate’s qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE: 15

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call (832) 393-0450.

If you need special services or accommodations, call (832) 393-0450. (7-1-1).

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.