Zoological Veterinary Technician

Salary : $44,094.67 - $73,873.95 Annually
Location : 3500 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA
Job Type: Permanent Full-time
Job Number: 13802
Department: Zoo
Opening Date: 05/28/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Description
The Virginia Zoo is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Zoological Veterinary Technician to join our animal health department. The growing department includes a Senior Director of Animal Health (diplomate of ACZM and ECZM), two associate veterinarians, an office manager/veterinary technician, two veterinary technicians, a Lead Animal Health Keeper, and two Animal Health Keepers. This position supports the department's continued expansion.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the care, health, and welfare of our diverse collection of species. As a vital part of the veterinary team, you'll play a key role in maintaining the health and well-being of our resident animals and supporting global conservation efforts. Come live by the beautiful Chesapeake Bay; kayak launch sites are just outside our perimeter fence. We are situated 30 minutes from the ocean front and 3 hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Department Hiring Salary Range: $50,599.95 - $60,000
Essential Functions

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain and operate the veterinary clinic and laboratory in compliance with all relevant regulations
• Ensure cleanliness and maintenance of veterinary equipment and hospital areas
• Monitor and maintain appropriate environmental conditions for hospitalized and quarantined animals
• Assist veterinarians during medical procedures, surgeries, and exams
• Monitor animal anesthesia and recovery
• Perform diagnostic testing including bloodwork, urinalysis, fecal analysis, radiography, and other diagnostics as instructed by veterinarians
• Maintain accurate medical records, daily reports, inventories, and supply logs
• Prepare, dispense, and administer medications, vaccinations, and treatments as prescribed
• Assist in approved research, field activities, and animal transportation between institutions
• Enforce zoo visitor safety regulations when applicable
• Support neonatal care and hand-rearing as needed

Work Environment and Conditions
Zoo Veterinary Technicians must be aware of the inherent risks associated with working in close proximity to exotic animals, including exposure to zoonotic diseases. Adherence to strict safety protocols is required at all times to minimize the risk of injury or disease transmission.

Due to the nature of the role, weekend shifts are required and occasional after-hours work may be necessary based on caseload. Work includes both indoor and outdoor tasks in all weather conditions. In the event of severe weather (e.g., hurricanes or snowstorms), this role may be required to stay on-site as part of the ride-out team.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong teamwork, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse professional environment.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to follow established protocols and maintain a safe working environment.

Education/Experience


Work requires knowledge of a specific vocational, administrative, or technical nature which may be obtained with a two-year associate's degree, diploma or equivalent from a college, technical, business, vocational, or correspondence school. Appropriate certification may be awarded upon satisfactory completion of advanced study or training.


Preferred License(s) and/or Certification(s):

• Must be a licensed veterinary technician (LVT) in the state of Virginia or have the ability to obtain licensure in the state of VA prior to start date.
• Minimum of 2 years postgraduate clinical experience as a veterinary technician with 1-2 years of experience working in a zoo setting
• Associate or Bachelor's (preferred) degree in Veterinary Technology from a program approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association

Additional Preferred Experience:

• Experience working with large carnivores, great apes, hoofstock, and megavertebrates
• Familiarity with technical skills related to the care of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians
• Proficiency in laboratory diagnostics: hematology, biochemistry, fecal analysis, cytology
• Experience with remote drug delivery systems
• Experience managing drug inventories, tracking expiration dates, and maintaining medical supply stocks
• Ability to consult with animal keepers regarding medication plans and health updates
• Strong knowledge of animal behavior, restraint, and husbandry practices

Additional Information & Requirements
Work hours: Working a flexible schedule, which can vary. Working weekends and holidays may be required.

Work location : Virginia Zoological Park, 3500 Granby Street, Norfolk 23504

• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
  
  
• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.
  
  
• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
  
  
• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant's school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:
The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.
Non-City
Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.
01


The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

• I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02


Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College (6 months or more)
• Vocational/Technical Degree
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher

03


Are you licensed to practice as a veterinary technician?

• Yes
• No

04


If yes, in what state(s) do you hold your license? If not, please type N/A.
05


Do you have experience preparing for medical procedures on exotic animals?

• Yes
• No

06


If yes, please list the species and procedures. If no, please type N/A.
07


Do you have experience restraining exotic animals?

• Yes
• No

08


If yes, please list the species and type of restraints you have used. If no, please type N/A.
09


Briefly describe your experience leading a staff or public tour or presentation to either.
10


Do you have experience administering drugs via remote delivery?

• Yes
• No

11


If yes, please list devices you are comfortable using. If no, please type N/A.
12


Have you ever worked as the only veterinary technician on-site with a vet on call?

• Yes
• No

13


If yes, describe your experience. If no, please type N/A.
14


Rate your skill level reading manual differentials and fecal examinations in mammals (hoofstock, carnivores, primates).

• Beginner
• Novice
• Expert

15


Rate your skill level reading manual differentials and fecal examinations in reptiles.

• Beginner
• Novice
• Expert

16


Rate your skill level reading manual differentials and fecal examinations in birds.

• Beginner
• Novice
• Expert

17


Rate your skill level reading manual differentials and fecal examinations in amphibians.

• Beginner
• Novice
• Expert

18


Please list the veterinary diagnostic equipment you have experience setting up, operating, and troubleshooting.
19


Do you have experience using ZIMS?

• Yes
• No

20


Please rate your skill level using ZIMS.

• Beginner
• Novice
• Expert

21


The expected hiring salary range for this position is $50,599.95 - $60,000, commensurate with experience. Are you willing to accept a salary within this range?

• Yes
• No

22


Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

• I am not a Veteran
• I am a Veteran
• I am a Disabled Veteran

23


Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

• Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee
• Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee
• No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

24


If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title, and your relationship to the employee. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."
Required Question