Facility
Santa Ana Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
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.
Under general supervision, performs responsible and technical work of a specialized nature related to the health care and overall well-being of the zoo animal collection.
Essential Functions Include But Are Not Limited To
Provides zoo animal health care services by facilitating communication and collaboration between technical staff, veterinarians, zookeepers, and management.
Manages and maintains the zoo hospital; ensures cleanliness of the building; cleans and disinfects cages and habitats in the hospital and quarantine areas including, but not limited to sweeping, mopping, raking, and bleaching pools; procures and maintains inventory of hospital and medical equipment, medications, and supplies; and prepares and provides food and enrichment to animals in hospital area.
Makes daily rounds to observe and inspect entire zoo population for health problems; handles animals and provides nursing care to sick or injured animals; administers all medications prescribed by veterinarian; and administers preventative medical procedures, including vaccines, fecal tests, and flea and pest control.
Participates in scheduling veterinary procedures and managing medical procedure calendar; arranges visits with veterinarian; assists veterinarian in diagnostic testing; assists with surgery, treatments, micro-chipping, and necropsies; schedules and coordinates collection and shipment of laboratory samples and runs in-house tests to detect parasites or other abnormalities; and administers emergency medical treatment to animals.
Conducts research and consults with veterinarians and paraprofessionals on current zoonosis or emerging diseases; and trains staff and volunteers on zoonotic disease prevention.
Manages and maintains animal medical records; prepares and submits all required medical-related permits for operations of zoo facilities; enters all medical records into Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) computer program; maintains contraception records; completes related reproductive-health surveys; and maintains animal husbandry records necessary for AZA accreditation.
Assists with developing, maintaining, and managing animal health care practices and procedures; provides training for personnel involved in animal health care and veterinary practices; instructs zookeepers regarding animal feeding schedules and dietary requirements; and assists with recruitment and selection of zoo staff.
Provides information and assistance to the visiting public; answers questions and presents information; and assists with special events, educational programs, and public relations work promoting the zoo.
Captures and transports animals; moves animal between exhibits and the hospital area; and assists with the transportation of animals to and from the airport, veterinarian, and/or other zoos.
Participates in the capture and restraint of wild and potentially dangerous animals, which may or may not be sedated.
Regularly meets with health care and animal management committees; and supports zoo-wide animal welfare programs.
May participate in the daily handling, caring, and feeding of zoo animals.
May assume responsibilities of the Zoo Curator and/or Zoo Manager in their absence, including employee supervision.
Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the Zoo Manager.
May exercise functional and technical supervision over lower level staff.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions: Work is generally performed in standard office, field, and health care clinical settings. Occasional travel to different sites is required. Work on various types of surfaces, including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain. May be required to work extended hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Works with animals, including potentially dangerous animals. Extensive public contact. Incumbents are exposed to airborne particles, biohazards, chemicals, excessive heat/cold, fumes, gases, noisy conditions, pesticides, radiation, toxic agents, variable weather conditions, and zoonotic diseases.
Physical Conditions: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; operates vehicles; operates hand tools; climb stairs and ladders; occasionally kneel, sit, run, jump, climb, crawl, and lie down; frequently reach, bend, stoop, crouch, squat, twist, stand, and walk; operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination, including the use of a computer keyboard and/or hand tools; utilize smell, sight, hearing, speaking, reading, writing, and math ability to exchange information; and lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Education and Pre-requisites
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Two (2) years of work experience as a registered veterinary technician, preferably including experience handling exotic animals in a zoo setting. One (1) years of experience in a lead or supervisory capacity. High School diploma or GED with some vocational/technical training or college coursework in veterinary sciences. Experience, education, and training must provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of: Trends and best practices with veterinary science and animal health; animal care; animal hospital operations; veterinary medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and supplies; handling of exotic animals in a zoological or hospital setting; applicable veterinary and zoo laws and regulations, including Animal Welfare Act, USDA Regulations, AZA Animal Care Standards, Hospital Guidelines, California Veterinary Practice Act, and DEA Regulations; best practices for animal care industry inventory control; zoonotic diseases; animal restraint procedures; and biosecurity and quarantine principles.
Skill in: The use of a personal computer and business software applications, such as Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook; and ZIMS software.
Ability to: Perform basic responsibilities of a certified veterinary technician, including providing anesthesia, monitoring drug calculations, administering vaccinations, and performing in-house laboratory procedures; exercise resourcefulness in addressing and resolving problems; work with animals, including potentially dangerous animals, and exercise sound judgement in emergency situations; make decisions in accordance with established policies and regulations; communicate tactfully, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, contractors, other employees, special interest groups, volunteers, and zoo patrons in a culturally diverse community.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Possession and retention of a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) certificate issued by the State of California Veterinary Medical Board upon hire or within six (6) months of hire date is a condition of continued employment.
Possession and retention of a valid California Class “C” Driver’s License is a condition of continued employment.
Must be willing and able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
Must be willing and able to work outside in varying weather conditions.
HIGHLY DESIRABLE
Bachelor’s degree in Zoology or related field is highly desirable.
Compensation and benefits
Salary:
$65,532.00 – $87,828.00 Annually
RETIREMENT:
Miscellaneous (non-safety) employees hired after January 1, 2013, who are deemed to be new CALPERS members, will be enrolled in the 2% @ 62 CalPERS formula and will contribute 7% of reportable compensation toward this benefit. Miscellaneous (non-safety) employees hired after January 1, 2013, who are deemed to be existing CALPERS members, will be enrolled in the 2.7% @ 55 CalPERS benefit formula and will pay 8% toward cost-sharing.
HOLIDAYS: 11 holidays per year plus one floating holiday. A floating holiday shall be credited at a rate equivalent to the employee’s regularly scheduled work shift.
SICK LEAVE: 96 hours per year.
VACATION LEAVE:
1-2 years = 80 hours
3-5 years = 120 hours
6-15 years* = 124 – 160 hours
16-20 years* = 168 – 200 hours
*Includes Longevity Vacation Benefit.
MEDICAL & DENTAL INSURANCE: The City provides comprehensive medical and dental coverage plans for employees and their families. Currently the City pays a maximum of $1,800 per month for family medical and $105 per month for dental.
VISION INSURANCE: Employees may elect to purchase a City-sponsored vision plan.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: Three accounts are available to reduce taxable income for federal, state and Social Security tax purposes: health care ($2,750 annual maximum), dependent care ($5,000 annual maximum), Qualified Transit and Parking ($270 monthly maximum).
LIFE INSURANCE: City paid $50,000 policy plus AD&D. Optional additional coverage is available for employee and dependents at employees’ expense.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: A voluntary deferred compensation 457 plan is available.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM: Available for eligible employees. Maximum reimbursement is $2,500 per fiscal year.
The above is intended as a summary of some of the benefits available to this classification and does not constitute an expressed or implied contract. For a list of complete benefits or further information, please visit https://www.santa-ana.org/hr/other-employers/employee-salary-and-benefit-information
NOTE: A more complete set of specifications for this classification may be found on the City’s website or on file in the Human Resources Department. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contribution toward benefit costs, are subject to change as a result of periodic contract settlements between recognized employee associations and the City of Santa Ana.
Application instructions
All applicants are required to complete and submit a City application form and Supplemental Questionnaire online. Resumes or faxed copies will not be accepted in lieu of the City online application. To apply, visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/santaana/jobs/3205399/zoo-curator-of-health-veterinary-technician?sort=PostingDate%7CDescending&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs and click on the “Apply” link located at the top of the page. New users must create an account first.
The applications and answers to the supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed by the Human Resources Department. Those applicants possessing the most pertinent qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include:
Oral Interview Examination (Weight of 100%) tentatively scheduled for October 6 or October 13, 2021: will evaluate the candidates’ qualifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities relating to those factors which are essential for successful performance on the job.
Candidates need a minimum passing score in all components to be placed on the eligible list.