Registered Veterinary Technician

Vaughan is one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. Its emerging downtown, the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre; Canada’s first smart hospital, the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital; and the 900-acre North Maple Regional Park continue to generate momentum and excitement. Be part of something amazing and build your career at the City of Vaughan!

The City is an equal-opportunity employer and a forward-looking municipality that is committed to fostering a dynamic workplace that is diverse, inclusive and welcoming. As an award-winning organization for its employment and diversity and inclusivity practices, the City is focused on providing its employees with a thriving professional environment that leverages flexible work arrangements, a family-focused benefits package emphasizing work-life balance, learning and growth opportunities, and a place where collaboration and teamwork are valued.

Excellence demands brilliant personalities, visionary thinking and a passion for public service. Vaughan is your place to grow.

Position Overview
Under the supervision and guidance of the Supervisor, Animal Services, ensures all animals entering the shelter receive optimal emotional and physical health care, maintaining current information and record keeping as required. Provides oversight and functional direction to Animal Services staff.

Responsibilities
Management Support
• Coordinates, monitors, and assists the Supervisor to oversee the delivery of animal services, including shelter operations, compliance and enforcement activities, administrative duties and public education.
• Provides technical support to the public with regard to animal care advice and general responsibilities of pet ownership.
• Completes various reports, including statistical analysis, file summaries and maintains applicable health records on all animals.
• Ensures the shelter is maintained, to include but not limited to, a clean and safe environment; staff are trained and compliant with Health and Safety Guidelines, and following standard operating procedures, including utilizing all Personal Protective Equipment provided.
• Provides oversight and functional direction to Animal Services staff.
• Assists the Supervisor with monitoring and meeting budgetary expectations.
• Provides supervisory and animal health on-call availability (rotating basis) and provides interim back-up supervisory support during absence of Supervisor.
• Delivers public education including shelter tours, site visits and presentations on animal shelter services and animal health care.
• Attends and coordinates special events and promotional activities, including planning events and scheduling staff.
• Remains thoroughly familiar with pertinent legislation, regulations, guidelines, policies, and good animal care practices, including maintenance of CE credits and other membership requirements for RVT status with the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT).

Animal Services Technical Duties
• Performs variety of animal health care duties, including examination of animals, treatment or inoculations.
• Administers injections, performs venipuncture, euthanasia, applies wound dressings, and takes vital signs of animals.
• Performs physical exam of all animals arriving at shelter, performs temperament testing, monitors animals during their stay and provides any required health care.
• Determines adoptability of animals through health and temperament assessment, and interviews potential adoptees to determine suitability.
• Liaises with veterinary hospitals for surgeries and advanced care of animals (makes decisions regarding treatment while keeping costs low).

Qualifications and Experience
• A two (2) year College diploma in Veterinary Technology, possessing and maintaining current status of Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) with the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT).
• A minimum three (3) years’ experience working in a veterinary clinic or animal shelter in a Registered Veterinary Technician position, with sound clinical skills or suitable equivalent. Experience in a municipal government/municipal animal shelter environment is an asset.
• A valid non-probationary Ontario ‘G’ drivers’ license in good standing, with a reliable vehicle for corporate use.
• Thorough knowledge of animal handling and identification, health, husbandry, and behaviour.
• Working knowledge of applicable animal legislation, including the ability to interpret and apply animal control by-laws.
• Working knowledge of various computer software programs (eg. Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, internet, animal shelter software, Chameleon, etc.).
• Proven ability to extract information and accurately prepare briefings and reports.
• Ability to deal effectively and courteously with the public and staff; and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments and City officials.
• Ability to work in a highly stressful environment, including effectively dealing with difficult/irate clients, the public and interest groups.
• Demonstrated high level of critical thinking and risk management, with the ability to perform in a proactive and strategic manner. Experience in project management is an asset.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, resolve problems and complex situations and/or conflicts in a constructive and principled manner based on consideration of all critical factors, including short- and long-term impact.
• Demonstrated ability to build high levels of credibility within diverse work groups by implementing effective communication, public awareness and engagement strategies coupled with the ability to develop productive and sustainable partnerships with a range of key internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to conduct oneself in a manner bestowing tact and diplomacy in a political environment.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated ability in the City’s core competencies and relevant functional competencies.
• Knowledge of employment standards, occupational health and safety and proven ability of effectively working within a unionized environment.
• Knowledge of Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) as it relates to job functions and solid judgment skills in the preparation of documents, training of staff and release of information in keeping with MFIPPA legislation.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work independently to complete daily tasks and activities according to work schedule.
• Strong interpersonal and people leadership skills, organization skills and effective time management skills.
• Strong and clear communication skills, both oral and written, including effective listening skills.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated ability to apply the City’s core competencies.
• Ability to work variable shifts including evenings, weekends and statutory holidays.
• Successful candidate(s) will be required to submit a clear Vulnerable Screening Criminal Record Check, prior to commencing employment.
• Successful candidate(s) will be required to submit a satisfactory Driver’s Abstract, prior to commencing employment.

Working Conditions
• Working environment is in a municipal animal shelter; must have no restrictions that would prevent working with/around animals. Occasional work outdoors (i.e. to assess animal health in field).
• Ability to work outside normal business hours, on call and as required, and to travel occasionally for work (i.e. events, training, etc.).
• Providing residents with education and adoption support, who may be emotional or upset.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please be advised, the City of Vaughan uses email to communicate with applicants for open job competitions.  AI is not used in the hiring process.

The City of Vaughan is committed to diversity and inclusivity in employment and welcomes applications from qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds. The City of Vaughan is also committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.

Tagged as: RVT