Hospital Manager (Animal Health Technician/Supervising Animal Keeper) County of Bergen - Department of Parks – Bergen County Zoo

Under the direction of the Veterinarian and Zoo Curator, the Hospital Manager/Senior Veterinary Technician manages the daily operation and maintenance of the Zoo’s hospital and records and is involved in the medical care and management of the health and well-being of our animal collection.

Job Responsibilities: (may include but not limited to)

• Liaison to Veterinarian and Zoo Curator.
• Manage hospital operations.
• Train, schedule and supervise assigned hospital staff, including CVTs and Animal Health Technicians.
• Monitor and maintain hospital inventory (medications, supplies, etc.) and order as needed.
• Monitor and schedule maintenance and repair for all hospital equipment (x-ray machine and processor, anesthesia machines, oxygen tanks, autoclave, microscope, etc.).
• Schedule all vet exams (annual and diagnostic) and other procedures (immobilizations, surgeries, x-rays, etc.) for all animals in zoo.
• Maintain all animal records, including medical and husbandry records, for current and historical collections.
• Maintain all tissue and serum samples (organize physical samples, log in ZIMS, order supplies as needed).
• Render treatment to sick or injured animals as directed by the Veterinarian and/or Zoo Curator.
• Medicate animals as prescribed.
• May perform preliminary visual or physical examination of animals and report findings to the Veterinarian and/or Zoo Curator.
• Perform diagnostics, including radiographs and routine laboratory tests.
• Have knowledge of animal care and handling and provide general husbandry and medical care for all hospitalized zoo animals.
• Assist in surgery by participating in sedation/immobilization, surgery site preparation, IV catheter placement, anesthetic monitoring, and patient recovery. Duties also include record keeping, sterilizing instruments, securing supplies, and cleaning the operating area.
• Disinfect cages for the control and eradication of infections and communicable diseases.
• Under the direction of the Veterinarian, would be involved in euthanasia and necropsy of terminally sick animals.
• May directly supervise the activities of the principal Animal Keeper and rest of the Animal Keeping staff regarding animal medical issues.
• Gather and record information regarding cases to prepare animal patients for examinations and ready drugs and equipment for use.
• Help to organize and maintain the Zoo’s technical library to ensure a complete selection of necessary volumes pertinent to the Zoo’s operation.
• May attend conferences or continuing education courses related to the veterinary care field.
• Have knowledge of zoology, biology, and animal management.
• Is able to recognize and analyze problems with the purpose of solving them in an efficient and effective manner.

Education and Other Requirements:

• B.S. in Veterinary Technology or Associate’s Degree/Degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology.
• Licensed as a Veterinary Technician in New Jersey.
• Zoo or exotic animal experience preferred.

Schedule:

• Full Time, 40 hours per week / Occasional overtime.
• Must work one weekend day and some holidays.

Please send employment application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – put in subject line job applying for “Hospital Manager”.

The County of Bergen is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of the County of Bergen not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.

This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.