Registered Veterinary Technician

Foothills Animal Shelter seeks a skilled Veterinary Technician to join our veterinary team in a high-volume spay/neuter environment. This role puts your full range of technical skills to work every day while caring for thousands of animals on their way to new homes.

Who We Are

As an open admissions shelter, we are committed to being here for families and their pets in Jefferson County, Colorado. We identify as a socially conscious shelter, caring for over 9,000 dogs, cats, and small animals every year with a compassionate team of staff and volunteers who are committed to the physical and emotional wellbeing of every pet we serve. 

What You Bring

• You are a compassionate caregiver who is committed to both the emotional and physical wellbeing of your patients. 
• You are comfortable and efficient in a high-volume surgical environment, bringing strong skills in venipuncture, intubation, catheter placement, and anesthesia administration and monitoring.
• You think clearly under pressure and respond swiftly and effectively in an emergency. 
• You enjoy sharing your knowledge and experience with new employees and volunteers, and you help them feel welcome and supported. 
• You recognize the significance of the human-animal bond, and you are proud to support the formation and continuation of these powerful relationships.

What You’ll Do

• Keep our high-volume spay/neuter surgery running smoothly: perform pre-surgical exams, calculate and administer pre-anesthetic drugs, administer and monitor anesthesia, and oversee recovery.
• Perform daily health evaluations, and medicate, vaccinate, and treat shelter animals as prescribed by our veterinarians, using Fear Free handling every step of the way.
• Collect and run lab work, take radiographs (including dental radiographs), and perform dental cleanings.
• Administer vaccinations at our public vaccine clinics, keeping pets in our community healthy.
• Welcome and support volunteers and new team members, and work closely with our behavior, animal care, and shelter services teams.

What We Offer

• Let’s start with the obvious: we offer truly meaningful work that positively impacts the lives of thousands of animals each year. 
• You will work with a team of veterinary professionals who work hard, care deeply, and are 100% dedicated to the well-being of our shelter animals.
• We strive for a healthy work-life balance, offering a compressed work week (four 10-hour shifts) and generous time off benefits to support your Colorado lifestyle.
• We offer a full spectrum of employee benefits to full-time employees including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, and a retirement plan with 4% employer match and immediate vesting. Currently, two of our medical plans and our dental and vision plans are offered at no cost for employee-only coverage.
• Additional benefits for this position include reimbursement of job-specific licensing, certification, and/or renewal fees, and a CE reimbursement of up to $500.00 annually (prorated for part-time employment).
• The pay rate for this position will be $28.00 - $32.00 per hour depending on the depth and breadth of relevant experience. Additional compensation is available to employees who are certified as euthanasia technicians or who pass a Spanish-language oral proficiency assessment. 

Schedule

Ten-hour shifts, at least one weekend day is required. 

For a full list of duties and qualifications, please review the complete job description.

Education and Experience

• Associates degree in veterinary technology from an AVMA accredited program
• One year of work experience as a veterinary technician
• Experience in animal sheltering, high-volume spay/neuter, or similar preferred 

Licenses and Certifications

• State of Colorado Registration as a Veterinary Technician (RVT)
• Must obtain and maintain rabies pre-exposure vaccination series within six months of hire
• Must obtain Fear Free Shelter and Fear Free Veterinary certification within 60 days of employment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to multi-task and maintain composure in a fast-paced environment while providing courteous service to potentially difficult, emotional, or frustrated clients
• Ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality when dealing with proprietary information and sensitive situations
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with a variety of people and personality types
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and strong attention to detail
• Must be able to manage the emotional aspect of end-of-life services and humane euthanasia
• Working knowledge of animal sheltering practices; highly supportive of open admissions philosophy
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office including word processing, spread sheets, meeting software and email; proficient with animal management software and databases

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for the majority of a 10-hour shift on hard surfaces with minimal sedentary work
• Ability to bend, twist, kneel, and squat frequently throughout the shift
• Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds regularly throughout the shift
• Ability to physically restrain and handle animals of all sizes and temperaments, including dogs weighing over 100 pounds
• Manual dexterity to handle veterinary equipment including needles, syringes, and restraint tools
• Ability to respond quickly to emergency situations requiring immediate physical intervention

Working Conditions

• Ten-hour shifts with at least one weekend day required; schedule may include holidays
• Work performed in areas with a high level of noise
• Odors, chemical fumes, and animal hair/dander are encountered due to equipment and animals
• Constant exposure to common allergens including animal dander, feathers, hay/straw, latex, peanut butter, dairy products, and other food items used for animal enrichment
• Regular exposure to zoonotic diseases and infectious agents through contact with animals and their bodily fluids (urine, feces, vomit, blood, saliva)
• Regular exposure to cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, and sanitizing agents used in animal care and facility maintenance
• Exposure to emotionally challenging situations including sick or injured animals; euthanasia procedures; and end-of-life decision-making
• Frequent hand washing and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required
• Subject to animal bites and scratches
• Work in areas with fluctuating temperatures, humidity, and limited climate control

Equipment Used

• Animal handling equipment including slip leads, catch poles, and cat nets
• Veterinary equipment and tools including needles and syringes
• Animal and shelter management software
• Chemicals and cleaning tools to provide care for the animals

Salary : $28 - $32