Employment

Gibbon Conservation Center
A nonprofit center for the study, preservation, and propagation of highly endangered species

Employment

Paid Position Available: Veterinary Technician

Position Description

Under the direction of the appropriate supervisor(s), the successful candidate would perform the following duties and responsibilities:

· Perform daily health observations and communicate with the Attending Veterinarian (AV) and Director on a regular basis regarding health status of the gibbons

· Administer medications/treatments as directed by the AV

· Maintain medical records under the direction of the AV

· Assist in sedating and recovering gibbons

· Assist (under direction of the Director, AV, and in conjunction with the Facility Supervisor) in training and supervising staff and volunteers on zoonotic diseases, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), personal hygiene, daily care of gibbons, essentials of daily maintenance of a nonhuman primate (NHP) facility, etc.

· Assist (in conjunction with the Director, AV, and IACUC) in keeping all standards current with accepted guidelines and procedures utilized at NHP facilities

· Assist with daily care of the gibbons (i.e. Preparation of food, serving food to the gibbons, cleaning of primate enclosures, assist with primates in CDC quarantine)

Qualifications/Experience

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:

Minimum Requirements: Associate’s degree in veterinary technology or closely related specialty (or equivalent: 3 years practical experience and required post-secondary education) with a minimum of 5 years of full-time work experience as a veterinary technician for primates (i.e. at a NHP facility, zoo, or primate sanctuary); Alternatively: Bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology or closely related specialty with a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience as a veterinary technician for primates (i.e at a NHP primate facility, zoo, or primate sanctuary); Ability to perform health observations and evaluation of NHPs; Ability to administer medications and treatments (oral, SQ and IM injections); Knowledge of emergency care response and skills to assist in providing emergency and critical care on a primate patient in crisis; Ability to maintain medical records (including ISIS); Ability to handle sedated and non-sedated NHPs; Skills to work independently under general supervision and ability to perform duties as instructed by the AV and Director; Knowledge of zoonotic diseases and standard PPE utilized when working with nonhuman primates; Good working knowledge of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations; Excellent oral and written communication skills; Ability to train and supervise staff and volunteers in above-mentioned areas; Ability to interact well with a diverse group of people.

Preferred: Licensed Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or eligible to sit for CA state board exam; Alternatively, AALAS Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification; Willingness to become CA state licensed RVT or LAT certified within 6 months of start date; Previous experience with grant writing or willingness to attend continuing education to attain grant writing skills

Please send a resume and either 3 letters of recommendation or contact information for 3 references:

Contact Information

Amy M. Coburn, DVM, MS 3168 Potter Avenue Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Telephone: 805-208-6366, Fax: 805-493-2123, Web Site: www.gibboncenter.org

E-mail address: amymcoburn@yahoo.com