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Matanuska-Susitna Borough

Veterinary Technician (Licensed) or Veterinary Assistant

Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Palmer

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Salary: $23.35 - $29.31 Hourly
Location : Palmer, AK
Job Type: Thousand (1000) Hour
Job Number: 2025-00012
Department: Assembly
Division: Animal Care Veterinarian
Opening Date: 01/20/2025
Job Summary
This position performs technical duties to assist in the provision of veterinarian services in support of animal shelter operations.
Work is performed and duties are carried out in accordance with established policies, procedures, and Borough core values: Accountability, Customer Focus, Dedication, Integrity, Responsiveness and Teamwork.
Anticipated Schedule: Mondays 8:30-5pm with 30-minute lunch, Thursdays 8:30-5pm with 30-minute lunch. Occasional Saturdays may be requested, scheduled in advance.
Pay Grade
I1 - I5 DOE $27.08 - $29.31
F1 - F5 DOE $23.35 - $25.27
Minimum Requirements
Veterinary Technician (Licensed) Qualifications:
High school diploma or equivalent, and specialized training in the field of work including college courses, certificate program, apprenticeship, etc.
Three (3) years of experience in the occupational field, sufficient to understand the major duties of the position. Relevant experience and skills may include: Experience with small animal general anesthesia required. Experience with small animal surgical preparation, sedation protocols and as an anesthetist.
The veterinary clinic at MSBAC&R has a high surgical case load, mostly spay and neuter procedures, and occasional other procedures such as dentistry, wound repair, and salvage procedures. It also has a high case-load with respect to intake exams, medical examinations, administration of preventative medical care and euthanasia procedures. Helps complete necessary tasks to keep animals moving through the shelter, decrease length of stay and increase our capacity to care for animals while in shelter.
Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Alaska for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
Possession of State of Alaska veterinary technician license to practice veterinarian medicine.
Must successfully pass a pre-employment background check and physical.
Veterinary Assistant Qualifications:
High school diploma or equivalent. Related or specialized training in the field of work including coursework, certification program, apprenticeship, etc. may substitute for equivalent relevant experience.
Three (3) years of animal-related work experience, including one (1) year of preferred experience in a veterinary or animal shelter setting, or under the supervision of a veterinarian. Animal-related experience may include animal handling, animal husbandry, laboratory, or agricultural animal care. Relevant experience includes previous work in a veterinary clinical setting, high quality/high volume spay neuter clinic, or at a zoo, livestock facility or animal shelter where animal restraint and preventative care are routinely provided. Use of an autoclave, understanding of sterile technique, and literacy in Microsoft Excel desired.
Possession of Certified Veterinary Assistant certification, preferred.
Possession of, or ability to readily obtain, a valid driver's license issued by the State of Alaska for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
Must successfully pass a pre-employment background check and physical.
Duties/Responsibilities
  • Prepares, administers, monitors, recovers and records anesthesia.
  • Cleans, sanitizes, prepares, and sterilizes surgical instruments.
  • Prepares, labels, or confirms prescriptions for shelter animals.
  • Monitors post-operative recovery of shelter animals.
  • Provides assistance with physical exams, administers vaccines and microchips, and assists with radiographs.
  • Performs dental prophylaxis for shelter animals.
  • Maintains clinic facilities and equipment.
  • Orders and maintains clinic inventory.
  • Coordinates spay/neuter clinics for the public.
  • Recruits and assists volunteer veterinarians.
  • Obtains, prepares and reads laboratory tests.
  • Performs euthanasia.
  • Performs related duties.

Temporary and Thousand Hour (1000) employees for the Mat-Su Borough do not receive a benefits package. Following is a brief description of the only benefit provided to this class of employee.
Alaska Supplemental Benefits System:
The Supplemental Benefits System (SBS) is in lieu of Social Security and is mandatory. An employee contributes at 6.13% of gross wages, matched by the Borough (6.13%), on the present wage base of $176,100.
01
1. Please give three examples of what makes a veterinary technician or veterinary assistant integral to the function of a veterinary clinic.
02
2. Discuss your experience with small animal surgery, general anesthesia and sedation
03
3. Effective communication is essential for team-building and ensuring successful operations. How would you describe your communication skill set and which skills do you find most effective?
04
4. INTEGRITY is a Mat-Su Borough Core Value. Please give us an example of when you have demonstrated personal integrity in the workplace.
05
5. What three qualities do you appreciate most in a leader? Why do you feel these qualities are important?
06
I understand that the schedule for this position will vary based on operational needs and the hours will be limited to less than 30 per week and 1,000 per 12 month period. I further understand this is an on-call position that receives no benefits and no guarantee of hours.
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question