The Veterinary Technician plays a key role in advancing the goals of APA!’s intake-to-placement programs by making sure that all pets are provided with accurate, timely medical treatments and preventative care so that they are placement-ready at the PAWS Kyle location. This position contributes directly to APA!’s mission to increase the live release rate across Texas by supporting a sustainable, inclusive, and high-impact model for shelter operations. This is a hands-on, mission-driven role focused on results, reliability, and teamwork.
Responsibilities
Maintain a safe, clean, and sanitary medical workspace while following established biosecurity, infection control, and medical waste disposal protocols
Administer medications, vaccines, preventatives, and treatments accurately and within required timeframes, in accordance with APA Medical Protocol and SOPs
Follow and execute veterinary technician protocols as directed by APA medical leadership and Shelter Director
Perform clinical procedures, including blood draws, point-of-care diagnostic testing, PCV/TP, blood glucose testing, fecal examinations, skin scrapings, and blacklight examinations for ringworm screening
Demonstrate working knowledge of medications listed in the organization's medical dose chart, including indications, dosage calculations, routes of administration, and relevant precautions
Recognize common illnesses, injuries, signs of pain, and changes in patient condition; initiate appropriate responses within established protocols and promptly escalate concerns to veterinary personnel
Assist veterinarians with examinations, diagnostic procedures, treatments, and surgical or recovery care as assigned and within the scope of training and authorization
Maintain thorough, accurate, and timely electronic medical records documenting patient histories, vaccinations, preventatives, medications, diagnostic tests, results, and treatments
Monitor patients' responses to treatment, identify potential complications or adverse medication reactions, and communicate significant findings to the appropriate medical personnel
Train and share medical information with coworkers, volunteers, fosters, and adopters
Work with foster caregivers to provide medical care in accordance with APA Medical Protocols and SOPs
Explain in lay terms how they can provide medical care, and provide guidance in person and through virtual care
Provide emergency medical care as directed by APA veterinarians and leadership
Maintain medical equipment, supplies, and medication inventory to support safe, efficient, and consistent delivery of patient care
Demonstrate proficiency in required shelter software, including ShelterLuv, Waitwhile, and Google Workspace, and collaborate effectively with veterinary, animal care, and other shelter teams to ensure continuity of care
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Actively contribute to a volunteer-powered culture by partnering with volunteers during every shift and helping create an inclusive, welcoming environment
Work alongside volunteers to complete daily tasks, ensuring the work is shared and collaborative—not siloed
Support the recruitment and onboarding process by welcoming new volunteers and helping them get oriented to the program
Help retain volunteers by offering encouragement, guidance, and feedback during shared work
Recommend strong volunteers for deeper involvement or specialized roles to your supervisor or volunteer manager
Contribute to a positive culture by recognizing volunteer contributions through appreciation, gratitude, and shoutouts
Help set volunteers up for success by clearly explaining tasks, providing hands-on guidance, and offering in-the-moment support
Demonstrate dependability, accountability, time management, use of reasoning, and good judgment skills
Attend and participate in all required training sessions and meetings
Maintain open and consistent communication with supervisor and other colleagues
Partner with Volunteer Managers to learn about the volunteer programs and support volunteers interested in your department on an ongoing basis
React to change productively and perform other related duties as assigned
Work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
Work in a high-volume, fast-paced, high-stress environment
Work autonomously when given goals and deadlines
Requirements
Committed to embodying APA!’s Core Values: Innovation, Respect, Drive, Resourcefulness, and Inclusion, and cultural values: Humble, Hungry, Smart
Commitment to APA!'s customer experience expectations
Passion for working well with staff, volunteers, and customers—helping all individuals feel successful, appreciated, and connected to APA!’s mission
Strong commitment to volunteer engagement and support; dedicated to working well with volunteers across all roles
Comfortable working cross-functionally and serving as a liaison between volunteers, customers, and team members
Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to interpret rules, procedures, and instructional materials
Self-starter with strong time management; able to work independently and collaboratively
Excellent interpersonal skills; maintains a calm and professional presence in all situations
Strong attention to detail and high standards for quality
Adaptable to change and able to perform related duties as needed
Dedicated to delivering an exceptional and inclusive customer experience
Routinely lift 40-50 pounds
Work around animals (including diseased, injured, and/or potentially aggressive animals), loud noises, chlorine or other chemicals, and inclement weather
Comfortably interact with cats/dogs of various health levels, including cats who may carry zoonotic diseases such as ringworm, scabies, intestinal parasites, etc.
Walk big dogs that pull and jump
Be on your feet for multiple hours of the day
Visually observe people and animals from up to 150 feet away
Ability to hear normal speech at close contact and shouting up to 150 feet away with the ability to hear and discern dog vocalizations both soft and loud
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Pass all required dog handling training required for this position
Focus in a loud and busy environment despite distractions
Sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, stoop, bend, stretch, squat, kneel, grasp, grip, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level, lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds and push and pull up to 50 pounds for situations of moving supplies and setting up for events; repetitively use hands to operate computers; flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist
Benefits
Subsidized employer-sponsored medical coverage
Subsidized and voluntary life insurance
Voluntary dental, vision and short-term disability options, all effective the first day of employment
Voluntary wellness and emergency sick plans
Up to 2% match on 401(K) retirement plan
Supplemental benefits
Flexible spending accounts and additional life coverage
10 paid holidays
Accrue 10 days paid time off during the first year of employment, with an additional 5 days of PTO accrual upon completion of 12 months of employment
Professional development opportunities through APA!’s ongoing mission to advance our animal welfare professionals in our life-saving work
Important Details
Schedule: average of 40 hours per week, shift and schedule flexibility is required, weekly schedule is subject to change
Locations: PAWS Kyle, 500 FM 150 East, Kyle, TX 78640; PAWS Dripping Springs - 2965 Farm to Market 165, Dripping Springs, TX 78620; may travel to offsite locations as needed
About the Company
Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is one of Austin’s most dynamic and beloved nonprofits. The organization leads the No Kill movement nationally and is considered a national thought leader in animal welfare. APA! locally rescues, treats, and adopts thousands of homeless dogs and cats each year, providing a critical safety net for some of the region’s most at-risk shelter pets and helping Austin remain a No Kill city. APA! also works alongside communities and animal welfare organizations to expand lifesaving capacity beyond Austin. The organization is distinguished by its large volunteer workforce, grassroots spirit, and innovative, community-based approach to animal welfare. APA! continues to develop and share lifesaving best practices nationally through American Pets Alive!, its national division. American Pets Alive! also leads Human Animal Support Services (HASS), an initiative focused on rethinking traditional animal sheltering by supporting people and pets within their communities, reducing unnecessary shelter intake, and strengthening collaboration between animal welfare organizations and community-based services. APA! is building upon this community-centered approach through an exciting partnership initiative in Hays County. Through Hays County Pets Alive!, a locally led and operated initiative launched by Austin Pets Alive!, APA! is working in partnership with PAWS Shelter of Central Texas to strengthen lifesaving programs, expand resources for pets and the people who love them, and build greater animal welfare capacity across Hays County. PAWS Shelter of Central Texas has served Dripping Springs, Kyle, and surrounding communities for decades, providing no-kill sheltering and compassionate care for homeless pets. This partnership brings together PAWS' longstanding connection to the Hays County community with APA!’s lifesaving programs, resources, and experience to support the continued growth of animal welfare services throughout the region. Team members supporting this work may have the opportunity to collaborate across Austin Pets Alive!, PAWS Shelter of Central Texas, and Hays County Pets Alive! as these organizations and initiatives work together toward shared lifesaving goals.
