Veterinary Technician

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Seasonal Professionals

5 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $26.00 To $28.00 Hourly

Job Posting

Veterinary Technician

Department: Veterinary
Reports to: Director of Animal Health
Status: Seasonal position, limited to 1,000 hours.
Hours of Work: The preferred schedule is Sunday through Tuesday or Wednesday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with some flexibility based on candidate availability and team needs.

Position Overview

The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is looking for a Veterinary Technician to support the health and well-being of animals across a diverse range of taxa in an aquarium setting.

This position plays an important role in furthering the Seattle Aquarium’s mission, "Inspiring Conservation of our Marine Environment," by providing skilled veterinary technical support and helping maintain continuity of animal health care during staff leave. The Veterinary Technician will work closely with veterinarians, another veterinary technician, and animal care staff to assist with examinations, treatments, procedures, diagnostics, medication administration, recordkeeping, and other aspects of veterinary care.

Success in this role requires strong veterinary technician skills, excellent attention to detail, clear communication, sound judgment, and the ability to work collaboratively across teams. The ideal candidate is comfortable adapting their skills to a wide variety of species and working in a dynamic aquarium environment where animal care needs can vary from day to day.

Essential Functions:

I . Clinical veterinary care (70%)

• Apply veterinary technician skills to the care of all taxa with supervision. The current collection spans two sites and includes northern fur seals, harbor seals, sea otters, river otters, alcids, shorebirds, temperate fish and invertebrates, and tropical fish and invertebrates. Responsible for 16,000 animals from 380 species.
• Calculate, prepare, dispense, and/or administer medications.
• Prepare for and assist veterinarians during medical procedures and occasional surgical procedures.
• Perform or assist with phlebotomy and other diagnostic sampling.
• Perform radiology and assist with ultrasonography and endoscopic procedures.
• Prepare for and assist with induction, maintenance, and monitoring of anesthesia for all taxa under supervision.
• Understand the basics of water quality and how they impact fish health during handling. Calibrate, use, and maintain probe-based meters.
• Monitor patients during recovery or rare critical care.
• Perform (fish and invertebrates only) or assist with euthanasia.
• Perform and assist with necropsy examinations under direct or indirect veterinary supervision.
• Process samples for shipping to outside laboratories.
• Maintain accurate and timely records.
• Assist animal care specialists with training behaviors, such as ultrasound, hand-injection, and phlebotomy in pinnipeds, otters, and elasmobranchs.
• Understand the basics of applicable USDA/APHIS animal regulations and the AZA accreditation standards.

II. Management of veterinary spaces (30%)

• Maintain clean and functional veterinary areas, including the Pier 60 Veterinary Clinic, Necropsies, and two Veterinary Labs, with the duties split across the veterinary team.
• Accurately record needs for drugs and supplies.
• Maintain, clean, and sterilize surgical and endoscopic equipment and follow all equipment SOPs; help coordinate maintenance needs.
• Maintain compliance with state and federal regulations for controlled substances, prescription drugs, hazardous waste, and work safety.
• Provide interpretation of spaces or procedures for visitors, students, and donors as needed.

III. Additional Responsibilities (less than weekly):

• Perform emergency treatment and triage of animals in the absence of a veterinarian and under their remote direction.
• Provide on-call services in the rare instances of critical case management or high-risk animal transports.
• Participate in learning opportunities (e.g. talks, topic rounds, journal rounds, fieldwork).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The skills and abilities listed below may be demonstrated through a combination of relevant cultural and community programs, jobs, internships, volunteer experience, and/or formal or informal education. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean, we…