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SENIOR ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN (Veterinary Technician)

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SENIOR ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN (Veterinary Technician)

Salary

$20.74 - $26.02 Hourly

Location

2700 Evella

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

37927

Department

Administration and Regulatory Affairs

Opening Date

01/08/2026

Closing Date

1/15/2026 11:59 PM Central

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Job Classification: SENIOR ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN (Veterinary Technician)

Posting Number: 37927

Department: Administration and Regulatory Affairs

Division: BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions/Kennel

Reporting Location: 2700 Evella

Workdays & Hours: Thursday - Monday 9AM-6PM* *Subject to change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This imperative position performs a variety of technical animal health tasks encompassing animal management, diagnostic laboratory and surgical procedures, and therapy and treatment techniques.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists the veterinarian with emergency animal treatment, routine examinations, and vaccinations.

• Assists veterinarian with surgery, including sterilization of instruments and surgical area, animal

prep, and monitoring of vital signs; monitors post-operative recovery and reports changes in condition.

• Assists public and provide medical services to pets in the Wellness and Foster Clinics.

• Expedite medical services to sick and/or injured animals including parvo testing, skin scrapes, radiographs, etc.

• Educate the adopters about the medical issues of animals upon adoption.

• Administer selected medications to animals as prescribed by veterinarian.

• Prepare medication for the animals leaving the shelter.

• Prepares specimens and performs diagnostic laboratory tests, e.g., microscopic egg counts, etc.

• Maintains accurate animal health and surgical records.

• Provides a complete workup to animals from the field including age-appropriate vaccinations, dewormer and HW testing. Or additional services as needed.

• Monitors all animals, including those that may be isolated or quarantined, for signs of illness or unusual behavior; makes notations and reports problems regarding health and behavior of animals to the supervisors or veterinarians as needed.

• Feed and water animals and clean cages and areas as needed.

• Transports animals from cages and restrain animals weighing up to 120 pounds for injections, medication, and examination.

• Responsible for the use of positive reinforcement and low stress handling techniques.

• Attends classes on low stress animal handling and continuing education courses as it applies to the animal sheltering field.

• Performs the euthanasia of animals by injecting selected animals with controlled substances, in accordance with established laws and departmental policy as needed; disposes of the euthanized animal.

• May assist other BARC departments or may be asked to perform other duties as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position requires extensive physical exertion, such as lifting heavy objects of at least 80 pounds on frequent basis, deep bending, climbing of steps and/or assuming awkward positions.

There are frequent exposures to extreme levels of temperature, air pollution, noise pollution, chemical gases and substances, and/or contagious diseases or physical trauma conditions of a short-term disabling nature, such as broken bones or temporary loss of sight or hearing.

Requires the ability to make closely coordinated eye/hand movements within very fine tolerance and/or calibration demands; or the ability to make rapid closely coordinated eye/hand movements on a patterned response space within somewhat fine tolerance demands; or the ability to make coordinated eye/hand movements within fine tolerances with large equipment as an extension of the worker.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

Requires a high school diploma or a GED.

Additional education beyond the high school level may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.

EXPERIENCE

Two years of experience in the care and handling of animals are required.

Must obtain Euthanasia Certification within one year of employment. t.

LICENSE

None

PREFERENCES

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

Preference will be given to applicants who have previous working knowledge of animal care shelter environment.

Licensed Veterinary Technician is a plus.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION Yes

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate’s qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE: 15

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call (832/393-0450).

If you need special services or accommodations, call (832/393-0450). (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EEO EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

+ Medical

+ Dental

+ Vision

+ Wellness

+ Supplemental Insurance

+ Life insurance

+ Long-term disability

+ Retirement pension

+ 457 deferred compensation plan

+ Employee Assistance Program

+ 10 days of vacation each year

+ 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday

+ Compensable Sick Leave

+ Personal Leave

+ Flexible schedules

+ Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions

+ Professional development opportunities

+ Transportation/parking plan

+ Section 125 pretax deductions

+ Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

+ Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves

+ Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

01

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Force (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

+ Yes

+ No

02

What is your highest level of education completed?

+ Less than 12th Grade

+ High school diploma or GED

+ Associate's degree

+ Bachelor's Degree or higher

+ None of the above

03

How much verifiable experience in the care and handling of animals?

+ Less than 1 year

+ 1 year to less than 2 years

+ 2 years to less than 3 years

+ 3 years or more

+ Have no experience.

04

Are you a licensed Veterinary Technician?

+ Yes

+ No

05

Do you currently have a euthanasia certification?

+ Yes, I have the certification

+ No, but willing to obtain it within one year of employment

+ No, I am not willing to obtain the certificate

06

Are you willing to vaccinate, microchip and perform blood draws?

+ Yes

+ No

07

Which of the following have you worked in before? (Check all that apply)

+ Pet Store

+ Veterinary Clinic

+ Zoo

+ Wildlife Center

+ Farm

+ Grooming

+ Boarding

+ Lab

+ School Program

+ None of the above

08

Briefly describe your experience while working in one of the animal environments listed in question #6 (Note: If not experience, please respond N/A).

09

Are you willing to handle fearful or aggressive animals as trained?

+ Yes

+ No

10

Are you willing to work weekends?

+ Yes

+ No

11

Are you a current ARA employee?

+ Yes

+ No

12

Are you willing to spend 8-10 hours a day on your feet and walking over 30 dogs every morning within a 3-hour period?

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question