Zoo Registered Veterinary Technician (Part-Time)

Salary: $32.21 - $39.14 Hourly
Location : Santa Ana, CA
Job Type: Part-time
Job Number: 2026-012MP
Department: Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Division: Zoo
Opening Date: 05/15/2026
Closing Date: 6/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: SEIU - PT


Description
The City of Santa Ana is looking for individuals who are results-oriented, possess great attitude, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success, and have a passion for public service. Having highly talented employees provides the best service to our community.

This is a part-time position. The incumbent will work up to 19 hours per week. Work schedule is to be determined. Successful candidates must be available to work shifts during various hours of the day, evenings, holidays, weekends, and must be willing and able to work outside in varying weather conditions.

Under general supervision, performs responsible technical veterinary support work in coordination with the Zoo Veterinarian related to the health care, veterinary facility maintenance, and overall well-being of the Santa Ana Zoo animal population.

Essential Functions Include But Are Not Limited To

• Assists veterinary staff in performing clinical procedures, including anesthesia, animal monitoring, surgery, radiographs, treatments, blood and urine collection, and diagnostics.
• Assists in ensuring compliance with animal regulations and licensing requirements.
• Conducts laboratory tests, including hematology, serum chemistry, cytology, urinalysis, and fecal analysis.
• Prepares and submits samples to external laboratories for analysis.
• Administers treatments and vaccinations as directed by veterinarians.
• Cleans, disinfects, and sterilizes hospital areas, surgical suites, instruments, and equipment.
• Operates and maintains veterinary hospital equipment and troubleshoots problems.
• Schedules and performs routine maintenance on instruments and equipment.
• Provides husbandry and care for hospitalized and quarantined animals and their enclosures.
• Dispenses and records medical prescriptions.
• Assists in managing pharmacy inventory, including medications, medical supplies, and laboratory supplies.
• Disposes of expired or used medications and supplies in accordance with safety and regulatory guidelines.
• Assists with necropsy exams and submission of biological samples.
• Maintains the pathology building and freezers; ensures proper storage and handling of animal remains.
• Communicates with veterinarians and animal care staff on medical cases and follow-up care plans.
• Assists with scheduling veterinary procedures.
• Participates in the capture, restraint, and transfer of wild and potentially dangerous animals.
• Supports zoo-wide animal welfare programs.
• Provides information and assistance to the public.
• May assist with daily animal handling, feeding, and care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Minimum qualifications may be met via an equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions. Experience and education must provide the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Experience: One (1) year of work experience as a registered veterinary technician involving animal care.
Education: High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate, supplemented by vocational/technical training or college-level coursework in veterinary sciences.

Special Requirements:

• Possession and retention of a valid Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) certificate issued by the State of California Veterinary Medical Board is required upon hire or within six (6) months of the hire date.
• Possession and retention of a valid driver's license, or ability to use alternative transportation that meets operational needs.
• Must be willing and able to work irregular hours, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

Highly Desirable: Veterinary technician work experience with exotic animals in a zoo setting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Applicable veterinary and zoo laws and regulations, including the Animal Welfare Act, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Animal Care Standards, California Veterinary Practice Act, and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations.
• Trends and best practices in veterinary science and animal healthcare.
• Animal hospital operations, including animal injuries, diseases, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and supplies.
• Handling of exotic animals in zoological or hospital settings, including animal restraint procedures.
• Zoonotic diseases, biosecurity, and quarantine principles.
• Medical records management.

Skill in:

• Using personal computers and office software, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Operating modern office equipment.

Ability to :

• Perform certified veterinary technician duties, including providing anesthesia, drug monitoring and calculations, administering vaccinations, and performing in-house laboratory procedures.
• Understand and apply regulations, codes, policies, and procedures.
• Recognize normal and abnormal animal behavior.
• Work with and handle animals, including potentially dangerous ones.
• Follow direction and exercise sound judgment within policies and procedures.
• Communicate tactfully, clearly, and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Coordinate tasks efficiently and timely.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, contractors, special interest groups, volunteers, zoo patrons, the public, and others encountered in the scope of work.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions: Work is generally performed in standard office, zoo environment, and animal healthcare clinical settings. Occasional travel to different sites is required. Works on various types of surfaces, including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain. Works with zoo animals, including potentially dangerous animals. Work involves frequent public contact. Incumbents may be exposed to biohazards, cleaning and medical chemicals, extreme temperatures, fumes, odors, loud and noisy conditions, indoor and outdoor lighting, pesticides, toxic agents, dirt and dust, wind and pollen, variable weather conditions, blood-borne pathogens, animal scratches and bites, and zoonotic diseases.

Physical Conditions: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in office, zoo environment, and animal healthcare clinical settings; operate motor vehicles or use alternative transportation that meets operational needs; use hand tools; climb stairs and ladders; occasionally squat, kneel, run, jump, climb, crawl, and lie down; frequently reach, bend, stoop, twist, stand, and walk; continuously sit; move arms to reach and have dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate objects; operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination; utilize smell, sight, hearing, speaking, reading, writing, and math to exchange information; see with normal vision and visual range, with or without correction; hear in the normal audio range, with or without correction; lift and carry up to fifty (50) pounds unassisted; and push and pull light to moderate weight independently.

Selection Process
All applicants are required to complete and submit a City application form online, as well as complete the supplemental questionnaire. Resumes or faxed copies will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City online application.

Click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page. New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time: Online Employment Application Guide

The Human Resources Department and Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency will review all applications, and those candidates who possess the most pertinent qualifications will be invited for an oral interview by the hiring agency. If you have any questions regarding the position, please call the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Candidates given a job offer will be required to pass a medical exam and a background records check.

The City of Santa Ana is an equal opportunity employer. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact us regarding providing reasonable accommodation.
Part-Time employees accrue paid sick leave at the rate of one (1) hour of paid sick leave for every thirty (30) hours worked up to a maximum accrual of 6 days or 48 hours. Employees are eligible to use 3 days or 24 hours of accrued paid sick leave in a 12-month period. For additional information please visit the Department of Industrial Relations Website:
01


Do you possess a CA Class C driver's license as of today? If you are out-of-state, do you possess a driver's license in your state of residence as of today, and are you willing and able to obtain a CA driver's license if offered the position?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you willing and able to work a schedule that may include night shifts, weekends, and holidays, and to perform duties in outdoor environments under varying weather conditions?

• Yes
• No

03


What is your total number of years working as a registered veterinary technician? Please include all practice types, such as clinics, hospitals, zoos, and exotic animal facilities.

• No experience, less than one year
• At least one years, less than two years
• At least two years, less than three years
• Three years or more

04


How many years have you specifically worked in a zoo or exotic animal practice with birds, reptiles, and mammals?

• None
• At least six months, less than one year
• At least one years, less than two years
• Two years or more

05


What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Did not graduate high school/did not obtain GED
• Graduated high school/obtained GED
• Completed some college-level coursework or obtained Associate degree
• Obtained Bachelor's degree
• Obtained Graduate degree

06


Do you currently possess the Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) certificate issued by the State of California Veterinary Medical Board? (If you currently do not possess this requirement, you must obtain it within 6 months of employment).

• Yes
• No, but will obtain it within 6 months of employment

07


Please list any additional relevant licenses or education pertaining to the position of Zoo Registered Veterinary Technician.
08


Briefly describe your experience working with exotic animals. Please enter N/A if you do not have experience.
Required Question