Veterinary Technician

Position Title: Veterinary Technician 

Department: Husbandry 

Reports To: Director of Husbandry 

Location: Audubon Aquarium & Audubon Insectarium 

FLSA Status: Non-exempt 

Date Revised: February 2025 

Position Type: Full-Time 

Who We Are  

Audubon Nature Institute comprises Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and Audubon Wilderness Park 

At Audubon Nature Institute, we are more than a collection of parks, museums, and conservation centers—we are a dedicated team with a shared mission to celebrate, protect, and connect people to the wonders of nature. Our work is guided by our culture code, which is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in Activating Impact by integrating tangible, real-world outcomes into all our initiatives, fostering a culture where every action contributes to a positive environmental impact. We are committed to Empowering Optimism, using positivity to inspire others to act and believe in their capacity to create meaningful change. We strive to Create Connection by engaging with people from all walks of life, knowing that the collective strength of a diverse community can address the most pressing challenges facing our natural world. At Audubon, we embody the spirit of Le Bon Temps, infusing the joy and vibrant culture of Louisiana into our everyday work, celebrating our unique heritage while advancing our mission. As Leaders of the Pack, we constantly seek smarter, innovative solutions, challenging conventions to drive the change we want to see in the world. 

What You’ll Do 

The Veterinary Technician is responsible for assisting Audubon veterinarians with the routine daily tasks involved in maintaining the health of the collection at Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium. Daily duties may include cleaning and feeding of any hospitalized cases, administration of medications, assisting in scheduled and non-scheduled examinations and surgeries, assisting with post mortem examination of a variety of species, and performing routine laboratory testing in house. . In-house testing includes but is not limited to fecal and skin parasite exams, cytology, urinalysis, and avian, reptilian and mammalian hematology. The veterinary technician may also handle animal related emergencies when on grounds with no other staff present and carry out the veterinarian’s instructions until the veterinarian arrives. In addition, the technician is expected to assist with maintenance of the hospital and clinical areas including cleaning, stocking, and equipment maintenance. Candidate must possess the ability to work as a member of a team as well as independently, to work efficiently and effectively, and to wisely use Audubon Nature Institute resources.   

Day to Day Responsibilities 

Assist the veterinarians and other Hospital staff in all forms of routine health procedures, including restraint, phlebotomy, anesthesia, anesthetic monitoring, radiology, other imaging, other sample collection, dental prophylaxis or surgery, or other procedures, in efforts to maintain optimal health in all accessioned animals throughout Audubon Nature Institute in accordance with accreditation standards of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums  

Assist in maintaining Hospital/clinic facilities in a constant state of readiness:  

Assist in maintaining an adequate and appropriate medical inventory of supplies and medications in coordination with the Aquarium Veterinarian   

Inputting prescriptions into ZIMS and then filling according to veterinarian instructions/recommendations.  

Maintain all equipment to ensure functionality, cleanliness, and compliance with regulations  

Ensure consistent facility cleanliness and hygiene  

Efficiently procure necessary supplies and equipment.  

Reconcile financial reports accurately and on time.  

Efficiently repair or replace defective equipment.  

Efficiently process equipment/supplies for sterilization  

Know animal care procedures established by the Aquarium and follow all biosecurity protocols properly  

Perform common veterinary clinical pathology procedures to provide results to the veterinarians  

Manage biological samples appropriately for in-house evaluation or shipping to laboratories  

Efficiently manage diagnostic samples for shipping to other laboratories or to examine in-house, which includes but is not limited to parasite exams, cytology, urinalysis, and avian, reptilian and mammalian hematology  

Perform all duties of a hospital keeper as needed  

Maintain accurate records for medical care, laboratory results, serum and tissue banks, and controlled substance logs.  Assist in other record keeping duties as required  

Ability to use a computer to obtain and retain information, and generate reports  

Skill in the observation, capture, restraint, and transport of animals  

Observe general animal health and behavior daily and report any abnormal situations to a supervisor  

Maintain accurate and detailed records of health and behavior status of animals under care  

Work overtime, travel to multiple facilities, and efficiently respond to institute animal emergencies as needed.   

Must be able to work weekends  

Understand the physical and health related risks inherent to working with managed Aquarium animals  

Able to work as a member of a team as well as individually with minimal supervision   

Participate in the supervision and training of any students or interns  

Provide engaging and informative tours for school groups and Veterinary Technician programs  

Act with discretion and good judgment  

Additional/Overall Skills: 

Maintain a positive attitude and a strong sense of accountability, fostering a collaborative team environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute. 

Thrive in a team environment, using your organizational and technical skills to ensure the smooth execution of creative projects that resonate with our audience. 

Celebrate the successes of your team and bring enthusiasm to your work, reflecting the joyful culture that is at the heart of Audubon’s mission. 

Stay adaptable and open to learning new skills, embracing change and innovation as opportunities to lead and grow. 

The above-listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. They do not exclude other duties as assigned. 

What We’re Looking For 

Must Haves: 

Graduate of an AVMA accredited Veterinary Technology Program and having passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) as a credentialed Veterinary Technician 

Louisiana licensure as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) (within 1 yr of hire) 

One (1) year of zoological/exotic animal medical experience  

Maintain current Tetanus, hepatitis A/B, and influenza vaccines and periodic TB test (q3 yr) 

Current Rabies vaccine or titer (can obtain after hire) 

COVID-19 vaccine series is required to work in Audubon Nature Institute’s animal hospitals 

Must maintain valid La. Driver’s license  

Humane treatment and affinity for animals  

Ability to use a computer to obtain and retain information and generate reports. 

Proficiency in medical data management, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel 

Effectively reconcile financial and medical reports accurately and on time. 

Must have proficiency with radiology, patient anesthesia and monitoring machines, microscopes, chemistry analyzers, surgical tools and equipment, mobile devices, computer, fax, scanner, phone, and copy machine. 

Productively work as a member of a team as well as individually with minimal supervision. 

Willingness to serve on the Aquarium’s Hurricane Team if necessary 

Nice-to-Haves: 

Animal husbandry experience  

Bachelor of Science 

Physical Requirements:  

Risk periodic exposure to hazards associated with wild animals and zoonotic diseases. 

Work long hours between breaks or meals. 

Continuous standing, walking, lifting, bending, and twisting.  

Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry objects weighing over 50 pounds, often repeatedly.  

Regularly climbing ladders and operating heavy machinery.  

Sustained manual dexterity and coordination.  

Physical stamina for long shifts involving repetitive or strenuous tasks.  

Primarily outdoor environments or industrial settings.  

Frequent exposure to heat, cold, dust, fumes, or loud noises.  

Exposure to potential hazards such as heavy machinery, moving vehicles, or electrical equipment.