Animal Health Technician Lead, Austin Animal Services

Job Description:

Animal Health Technician Lead, Austin Animal Services

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Job Description:

Purpose:

Under general supervision of Veterinarians, this position is responsible for leading staff to provide high quality medical care and treatment to animals at a high-capacity animal shelter. This includes routine, preventative, and emergency care of sheltered animals, as well as providing support functions to veterinarians during surgical procedures.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Provides staff with training, instruction, and assignment of duties, ensuring daily completion of tasks. This includes assigning priorities to projects or tasks to best use resources to achieve success. Makes observations and reports on staff performance.
  
• Performs accurate and timely inventory and ordering of veterinary services supplies to include all pharmaceuticals, biological, and controlled substances in order to ensure surgical areas are supplied with the correct equipment, instruments, and supplies.
  
• Monitors the health and welfare of animals within the shelter and provides medical care under the direction of staff veterinarians, to include performing physical examinations, vaccinations, in-house laboratory tests, collecting specimens, and diagnostics to determine and evaluate the health condition of animals at the time of impound or prior to adoption or surgery.
  
• Assists veterinarians in surgery to include preparing and administering pre-anesthetics and induction agents, monitoring the animal during surgery, and providing post-operative care.
  
• Assists in the euthanasia of animals identified by veterinarians, management, and supervisors with understanding and compassion for the animal.
  
• Assists Veterinarians with emergency care and treatment in life-threatening situations.
  
• Implants microchips in sheltered animals. Informs the public tactfully and courteously about medical treatments for shelter animals.
  
• Maintains accurate and relevant written and electronic records of medical treatments.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

Provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of Local, State, and Federal animal health laws and regulations.
  
• Knowledge of disease management and safety protocols.
  
• Knowledge of animal services and related programs.
  
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
  
• Knowledge of current principles and practice of veterinary medicine as it relates to shelter medicine.
  
• Knowledge of animal care and husbandry of common breeds of dogs, cats, livestock, and other animals kept as domestic pets.
  
• Knowledge of general surgical procedures, aseptic technique, and operation of common equipment used in providing veterinary care.
  
• Knowledge of euthanasia techniques.
  
• Skill in safely handling animals, including those with unknown temperament.
  
• Skill in providing medical care services to a wide variety of well, sick, and injured animals; including support of high volume spay/neuter operations.
  
• Skill in identifying normal and abnormal behavior and signs of disease including the symptoms of rabies and other zoonotic diseases.
  
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
  
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
  
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.
  
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  
• Ability to train others.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus two (2) years of experience in a field related to direct contact with companion animals.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

Valid Texas Class C Driver License.

Notes to Candidate:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with cats and dogs as a Veterinary Technician under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
  
• Experience working in a veterinary hospital/animal shelter as a surgical technician.
  
• Demonstrated experience inducing, monitoring, and recovering anesthesia in patients and using anesthesia/monitoring equipment.
  
• Demonstrated experience with radiology of animals.
  
• Demonstrated skill in safely handling animals, including those with behavior issues.
  
• Experience working within a team, communicating professionally and respectfully in all circumstances within a fast-paced environment.
  
• Experience handling/restraining dogs over 50 lbs.
  
• Experience dealing with euthanasia of animals identified by veterinarians, management, and supervisors with understanding and compassion for the animal.
  
• Experience understanding of common infectious diseases which includes recognition of symptoms and signs in all animals within a shelter environment.
  

The Animal Health Technician Lead position offers an excellent opportunity to utilize the skills and knowledge you have acquired from your prior experience, and the chance to learn new technical skills and broaden your animal care knowledge. With general supervision, the Animal Health Technician Lead assists in the practice of veterinary medical care and regular maintenance of all animals at the shelter.

The primary responsibility of the Animal Health Technician Lead is to work closely with our veterinarians to provide the highest quality medical care, while giving our clients an exceptional experience. The Animal Health Technician Lead assists in performing minor surgical procedures and prepares sheltered animals for surgery including providing anesthesia to animals and monitoring after anesthesia. Observes animals in assigned areas and reports abnormalities, sickness, or injury. Administers medical treatments (injections, oral) to shelter animals. Maintains required records including data collection and entry. Assists with inventory of medical, pharmacy and sterile supplies. Humanely performs euthanasia of animals identified by veterinarians, management, supervisors and/or lead animal health technicians.

Being able to prioritize, multitask, and complete tasks accurately and efficiently will be key to succeeding in this position. The successful candidate will also have a positive attitude, be at ease handling animals including animals that weigh more than 50 pounds or with animals that can be aggressive or dangerous, a commitment to learning, outstanding communication skills, and great attention to detail. Preferred candidates will have prior veterinary technician experience in a veterinary hospital or animal shelter working under a licensed veterinarian. Must be able to work at least one weekend day and holidays.

Who Are We?
Austin Animal Center‘s mission is to enhance the lives of pets and people by preventing animal homelessness, to help lost pets find their way home or find new homes, to provide education and resources to preserve the human-animal bond, and to administer animal-related ordinances to ensure public and animal safety, all while achieving a 95% live outcome rate for sheltered pets.

We offer outstanding benefits including several health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more. Please click City of Austin Benefits click here! for more information.

Regarding Your Application: Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered. A cover letter and résumé are required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please include contact information from previous employers.

Pay Rate: $23.76 - $27.32/hour

Hours: 40 Hours per week - Varies
(4) 10-hour+ shifts.
8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. and in Surgery 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Shifts will include weekday and weekend hours.

This position is considered “essential;” employees may be required to report to work when the City of Austin offices are otherwise closed (bad weather, etc.).

Work Location: Austin Animal Center, 7201 Levander Loop Bldg A 78702

Driving Requirement:
This position requires a Valid Class “C” Texas Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. The job offer is contingent on having a driving record that meets the City’s Driver Record Evaluation Standards.

Writing Assessment:
Writing skills will be assessed by cover letters and answers to the supplemental questions. Please limit your answers to the supplemental questions to 250 words.

If you are selected to interview: Military/Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214 at the time of initial interview to receive military/veteran interview preference.

If you are selected for hire: You must provide proof of education which may include your official college transcript, High School diploma, GED or equivalent degree and your professional licenses. A Criminal Background check ( CBI ) will be conducted.

Additional Information: Austin Public Health/Animal Service Office worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any APH / ASO worksite - including construction sites, parking lot, or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

90-Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other sections within the Division. Decisions on assigned section will be made at the time of hire based on business needs.

PLEASE NOTE: Austin Animal Center is not a 100% remote operation.

Please Note this posting may close any time after 7 days . days .

Essential Employee:
This has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a city-designated extraordinary situation or emergency condition, essential employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees, as well as ensure the continuity of essential operations. Essential Employees may be called back in during such events, required to modify their schedule, assigned to a City-designated work site, or retained on-site to assist with operations and recovery.

Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2025-11-06