Veterinary Technician

Salary : $32,385.60 - $51,822.58 Annually
Location : 6201 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA
Job Type: Full Time Non-Exempt
Job Number: VTech2026
Department: Zoo
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 8/28/2026 4:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt


General Summary


The veterinary technician reports directly to and works with the full-time veterinarian to coordinate and implement animal health programs throughout the zoo. The technician aids the full-time veterinarian with medical record entry and is responsible for preparing and assisting routine and emergency animal procedures, including but not limited to anesthetic events in the field and hospital, examinations, collection of diagnostic samples, and administration of treatments. The veterinary technician is responsible for maintaining hospital cleanliness, inventory/restocking, and maintenance of the veterinary equipment. The technician will work with veterinary students, veterinary technician students, and house officers on a regular basis and will actively participate in the guest special events throughout the year.

Requirements and Job Specifications

Education Required: Associate's degree; Graduate of an American Veterinary Medical Association Accredited Veterinary Technology Program.

Education Preferred: Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university.


Area of Study (Major) Required:

Certification(s) Required: Combination of veterinary technician work experience and associate's degree in veterinary technology, wildlife management, zoology, biology, or related field may be considered.


Certification(s) Preferred: Veterinary-Science Technology


License(s) Required: Valid driver's license. Must be able to obtain LA driver's license within 60 days of hire.


Years Relevant Work Experience: At least two years of full-time veterinary technician clinical experience. At least one year spent preferably with zoo, exotic, wildlife, and/or emergency room experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.


Years Relevant Work Preferred: (5) or more years related experience


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Exhibits strong attention to detail and organization.
• Collaborates with full-time veterinarian to uphold and update the standard operating procedures and practices of the zoo's veterinary hospital.
• Knowledge of and experience using, maintaining, and troubleshooting anesthetic machines (rebreathing & non-rebreathing systems), anesthetic monitoring equipment, fluid pumps, digital radiology equipment (including portable x-ray unit), dental unit, tabletop CBC and biochemistry machines, microscopes, centrifuge, and autoclave.
• Knowledge of/experience with veterinary and human medications, treatments, and potential drug reactions.
• Knowledge of controlled drug regulations and experience with appropriate controlled drug use, record keeping, and proper storage and handling.
• Knowledge of, experience, and comfort using remote capture equipment, ultra(1)potent opioids, preparing/firing darts, and using firearms is preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience detecting multiple species of animals' behaviors and ability to detect abnormalities.
• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and disease of a variety of exotic/zoo animals.
• Experience handling a wide variety of taxa including avians, mammals, herps, and fish.
• Knowledge of infectious diseases (bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic) and appropriate practices to reduce cross-contamination/spread and improve treatment success.
• Exhibits sufficient strength, agility, and coordination to assist in capture and/or restraint of large, strong animals.
• Able to work safely around high-stress, delicate, and sometimes dangerous exotic animals.
• Ability to perform accurate, detailed data input for effective record keeping in a computerized animal management system. Exhibits proficiency in the use of computers and software applications, including MS Office Suite. Experience with Zims Species 360 is also preferred.
• Exhibits effective verbal and written communication, strong interpersonal skills, and professionalism with ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, volunteers, employees and zoo guests.
• Exercises sound judgment during emergency situations with the ability to learn all zoo protocols, participate actively, and follow them adequately, including instances of animal escape and venomous species handling.
• Experience working at an AZA-accredited zoological institution/aquarium is desired

Functions and Duties

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Facilitates animal health-care program for Zoo by communicating with husbandry staff and veterinarians.
• Helps full-time veterinarian maintain the computer-based and hard copy animal record keeping systems in a timely, organized, and accurate fashion.
• Exhibits knowledge of USDA and AZA inspection practices and aids maintenance of hospital to ensure standards are always met.
• Maintains hospital cleanliness and manages/organizes all hospital, anesthesia, lab, surgery, pharmacy, and field procedure inventory, including ordering of supplies and restocking.
• Prepares for all procedures in a timely, organized fashion and aids cleanup/disinfection of equipment and facility post procedures.
• Performs full range of in-house laboratory testing as directed by the veterinarian, including but not limited to fecal exams, manual CBC, blood chemistry, and cytology.
• Coordinates with outside laboratories to collect, prep, pack, and ship appropriate samples.
• Performs accurate drug dose calculations under direction of the veterinarian.
• Reads, fills, & accurately dispenses prescriptions to Animal Care Staff.
• Administers preventative medicine therapies and patient treatments via multiple routes under direction of full-time vet and sometimes with aid of veterinary students and/or house officers.
• Aids the veterinarian, veterinary students, and/or house officers in performing daily treatments for hospitalized patients.
• Aids the veterinarian in ensuring medication/treatment compliance for chronic medications and/or treatments being performed by Animal Care Staff for animals outside the hospital.
• Exhibits proficiency in full range of veterinary nursing skills, including but not limited to phlebotomy, automated hematology and chemistry, identification of fecal parasites, intubation, IV/IO catheter placement, radiographs, dental prophylaxis, basic wound care, gavage feeding, fluid therapy, effective anesthetic monitoring
• (manual & equipment-based), and CPR/emergency procedures under supervision of the veterinarian.
• Participates in operant conditioning/training events with Animal Care Staff and veterinarian.
• Maintains function and sterility of surgical instruments, performing surgical instrument cleaning, lubrication, and appropriate packing for autoclave.
• Maintains hospital tools and equipment/machinery in a scheduled, routine fashion to ensure proper function and use.
• Aids communication with other institutions regarding medical records and pre-shipment needs for animal transfers.
• Aids quarantine scheduling, entry, and exit procedures with veterinarian and Animal Care Staff.
• Aids sample collection during necropsy, clean up post procedure, and prep of bodies for disposal.
• Participates in daily rounds of active cases.
• Initiates maintenance requests when needed for the hospital, and tracks progress of repairs/submitted work orders to completion.
• Maintains hospital golf cart.
• Performs monthly inspection reports of hospital.
• Presents oral and written reports.
• Acts as a liaison to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine to mentor veterinary students and veterinary house officers (LSU interns & residents) during zoo externships

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by his or her supervisor.

Supplemental Information


This is a full-time position, generally, 5 days per week, 8 hours per day with a 1- hour lunch break daily, and overtime as required. Some evening, weekend, and holiday work is required
2026 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
HEALTH INSURANCE : BREC provides comprehensive medical coverage through Louisiana Blue formerly BCBSLA , including HMO, PPO, and Blue Saver (Qualified High-Deductible Health Savings Account) options. Coverage becomes effective on the first day of the month following a two-month waiting period. Employee cost per month for HMO: $175.43 - employee only; $597.45 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $962.52-family. Employee cost per month for PPO: $375.23- employee only;$975.50- employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $1,492.70 - family. Employee cost per month for Blue Saver: $39.08 - employee only; $162.68 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $290.49 - family. In addition to medical coverage, BREC offers voluntary insurance options, including Dental and Vision.
LIFE INSURANCE : All full-time employees are insured under a Group Term Life Insurance policy provided by Lincoln Financial . Coverage is subject to reduction at ages 65 and 70. There is no cost to the employee; however, coverage associated with salaries exceeding $50,000 is subject to imputed income in accordance with IRS regulations. Coverage is effective immediately upon eligibility.

RETIREMENT SYSTEM: BREC contributes 38.22% of each employee's salary to the City-Parish Employees' Retirement System. Employees contribute 9.5% of salary. All retirement contributions are tax-deferred. Employee contributions are maintained in individual accounts and are refunded if an employee leaves BREC prior to retirement eligibility. After 25 years of service, employees may be eligible for additional benefits through the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP). BREC also offers a Supplemental Retirement Deferred Compensation Plan through Nationwide Retirement Solutions, available through convenient payroll deductions.
HOLIDAYS : BREC employees receive twelve (12) paid holidays per year.


SICK LEAVE : BREC employees accumulate sick leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increase based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 30 days of continuous employment.
ANNUAL LEAVE : BREC employees earn annual leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increased based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 90 days of continuous employment.
FULL-TIME STATUS : Upon completion of a six-month probationary periods and approval of supervisor, full-time status will be achieved.
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS : BREC full-time employees can take advantage of a generous discount. Some restrictions may apply. See the discount policy for more details.
EAP : BREC's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is administered by Lucet. They EAP helps employees and their family members resolve personal or work-related problems.
CREDIT UNION : BREC employees are eligible to join the City Federal Credit Union and/or Pelican State Credit Union and enlist in payroll deduction plan. Direct deposit to the Credit Union is also available.

FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS : BREC is a qualifying employer for public service loan forgiveness. Employees who have Federal Direct Loans and have made 120 payments on the Federal Direct Loans (after October 1, 2007) may be eligible for the remaining loan balance to be forgiven.


LA START : This 529 Qualified Tuition savings plan may be open on behalf of a named Beneficiary by anyone, including legal entities, provided that the Account Owner or the Beneficiary is a resident of Louisiana. Account Owners may save at their own pace, in amounts they can afford.

FSA : BREC offers an FSA that allows employees to contribute a portion of their regular earnings before taxes. Distributions from the account must be used to reimburse the employee for qualified expenses related to medical and dental services.

SUPPLEMENT BENEFITS : BREC offers voluntary benefits through AFLAC or Colonial Life. Those benefits include accident insurance, critical care, hospital indemnity, life, LTD and STD.
BREC reserves the right to at any time and from time to time to modify or amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the benefit package.
*Commissioned Approved Benefits Effective January 1, 2026*
01


Do you have an associate's degree and/or graduate of an American Veterinary Medical Association Accredited Veterinary Technology program?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have at least two years of full-time veterinary technician clinical experience? If so, please explain.
03


Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have any of the following certifications?

• Licensed Veterinary Technician
• Registered Veterinary Technology
• Certified Veterinary Technician

05


What experience do you have in lab testing or providing medication through various routes? Please explain
Required Question