The full salary range for a currently licensed Veterinary Technician is $26.00 – $33.33 per hour.

For candidates who are waiting to sit the Veterinary Technician License exam, the salary range begins at $23.00 – $26.67 per hour.

** This job announcement is for collecting candidate applications for current and future Veterinary Technicians. Applicants will be contacted only when a position need is identified, and their qualifications match the position's needs. ** 

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT 

 
Housing and Community Development Services consists of four divisions: Neighborhood Support, Animal Services, Housing and Community Development, and Community Engagement. The mission of the Housing and Community Development Department is to maintain community appearance and enhance the quality of life in Aurora’s neighborhoods. This is accomplished through a combination of community outreach, education, code enforcement, and numerous neighborhood improvement programs and services. The staff is dedicated to forming partnerships with neighborhoods, residents, and community groups to strengthen and enhance both the social fabric and physical aspects of Aurora neighborhoods 

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Performs evaluations on animals including age, gender, general health, and spay/neuter status. 

• Notifies DVM of signs of injury and illness in a concise and timely manner. 

• Properly documents medical evaluation and medical findings in computer. 

• Fills prescriptions as needed on shelter and foster animals, including treatment cards, entering medications in computer 

• Administers medications, vaccinations and microchips according to Veterinarian instruction. 

• Educates Patrons about animal’s medical conditions and treatments 

• Communicates with foster parents via email, phone and/or in person, regarding the health and treatment of foster animals. 

• Administers anesthesia via IV, IM or SC, monitors animals while under anesthesia using appropriate monitoring equipment, and recovers multiple animals post operatively.  

• Record all surgical procedure details, including all drugs given, into patient’s medical record. 

• Transfers animals to and from the treatment area, cleaning kennels as needed. 

• Cleans and sterilizes surgical equipment 

• Uses, repairs and schedules routine maintenance of medical equipment appropriately 

• Ability to maintain and order veterinary medical supplies from multiple vendors, for the department and shelter use, all while staying in budget. 

• Performs and monitors cleaning and sanitation of veterinary medical areas including treatment, isolation rooms and surgical suite. 

• Checking emails daily and sending emails to staff regarding issues that may need to be addressed by other staff members when Vet staff is not available. 

• Performs euthanasia 

• Responsible for the technical training and euthanasia certification of other staff members. 

• Strict adherence to legal requirements for administering and recording the use of controlled substances. 

• Adheres to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’S) 

• Creates appropriate SOP’s and helps with policies for division use. 

• Performs Radiographs 

• Support medical issues with shelter, field and foster animals 

• Knowledge of common zoonotic diseases, their transmission and prevention of spread to humans and other animals. 

• Assist with necropsies as needed 

• Supervises and trains volunteers including Veterinary Technician students 

• Other duties as assigned 

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. 

Education:   

• Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology  

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Shelter and or high volume spay/neuter experience preferred 

• At least (2) years experience as a Veterinary Technician in surgery, animal care and handling 

Knowledge: 

• Current veterinary standards and practices, dog and cat breed characteristics and knowledge of standard contagion practices in a shelter environment. 

• Animal behavior and using positive reinforcement techniques to interact with shelter animals. 

• Staying up to date on current shelter medical protocols 

• Vaccination guidelines  

Skills:   

•  Practical application of theoretical knowledge. Capabilities or proficiencies developed through training or hands-on experience.  

• Possess safe animal handling and restraint techniques, including feral cats and aggressive dogs. 

• Collect samples and perform diagnostic tests, including bloodwork, urinalysis, fecal, cytology, skin scrape and infectious disease testing 

• Knowledge of a variety of surgical procedures including, but not limited to, mass removal, spay/neuter, ophthalmic surgeries and dental procedures 

• Competent in IV injection, catheter placement, and calculating fluid and drug doses based on Veterinarian recommendation 

• Skills and experience needed to practice anesthesia at an advanced level of competency 

• Data entry of medical records and logging of controlled substances and medical treatments 

• Skill in the use of Chameleon and windows-based programs 

• Strong customer service skills 

• Skill in checking information for accuracy and completeness and correcting errors 

Abilities:   

• Multitasking 

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, all levels of management including executive staff, citizens, and elected officials 

• Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy 

• Provide humane care and treatment for a variety of animals 

• Perform in a high pace and high stress environment 

• Perform or assist with euthanasia as needed or directed

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing  

• Creatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner 

Licenses and Certifications Required:   

• Must have a Veterinary Technician Associates degree from an accredited school 

• Credentialed as Veterinary Technician (RVT, LVT, CVT) and able to register in good standing with CACVT and DORA or able to obtain within 6 months of hire

• Valid Colorado Drivers License with a good driving record 

• Euthanasia Certification must be obtained within 3 months of hire 

WORKING CONDITIONS  

Essential Personnel:  

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel. 

Physical Demands: 

• Medium work that involves moving no more than 50 pounds with or without assistance at a time 

Work Environment: 

• Works primarily indoors but may work outdoors assisting with a program or outreach events in varying weather conditions 

Equipment Used: 

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel and menu driven databases as a part of the Library automated systems 

• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.