Equine and Farm Animal Attendant

Established in 1983, the NC State Veterinary Hospital (VH) is one of the nation's highest-rated academic medical centers, serving North Carolina and the surrounding region. The VH treats nearly 35,000 patients annually across more than 20 clinical services, utilizing a team-based approach that leverages the expertise of nationally and internationally renowned board-certified specialists.

The VH is dedicated to:

• Clinical Excellence: Providing compassionate, state-of-the-art specialty healthcare at the cutting edge of veterinary medicine.
• Education: Delivering expert clinical instruction to fourth-year veterinary students from the College of Veterinary Medicine.
• Innovation: Advancing the field through the ongoing investigation of innovative techniques and medical procedures.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

The Equine and Farm Animal Attendant provides essential, high-quality animal husbandry and environmental support for all patients at the Equine and Farm Animal Veterinary Center. This role is hands-on and requires a dedicated individual to assist with the daily care, feeding, and handling of a varied patient population-including equine, bovine, caprine, ovine, and camelid species. Additionally, this position is critical to maintaining a sterile, safe, and fully stocked hospital environment, ensuring compliance with strict infectious disease protocols, and supporting overall hospital operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Direct Patient Care & Husbandry

• Provide daily care for veterinary patients, including feeding, watering, grooming, and monitoring.
• Safely handle and restrain various large animal species (horses, cattle, goats, sheep, alpacas/llamas) for clinical procedures.
• Observe and report any changes in patient behavior, appetite, or physical condition to the veterinary medical team.

1. Facility Cleanliness & Sanitation

• Adhere strictly to established hospital protocols to maintain a clean, sterile, and sanitary environment.
• Clean and strip stalls, and disinfect all clinical, treatment, and housing areas of the hospital.
• Manage waste removal, laundry, and general sanitation tasks.
• Rigidly follow and enforce all Infectious Disease and Biosecurity protocols to prevent cross-contamination.

1. Grounds & Equipment Maintenance

• Maintain indoor and outdoor facility grounds to ensure safety and professional appearance.
• Monitor hospital equipment and supplies, assisting with scheduled maintenance and repair tracking.
• Assist with inventory control, including monitoring stock levels, organizing supplies, and coordinating orders/purchases.

1. Collaboration & Operational Support

• Collaborate and communicate effectively with veterinary technicians, clinicians, students, and other ancillary hospital services.
• Participate in the rotational on-call schedule, which includes weekend shifts, evenings, and holidays as required.

Key Qualifications & Skills

• Proven experience in handling and caring for large animals (horses and/or livestock).
• Ability to safely restrain large, potentially fractious animals.
• Physical stamina to perform demanding manual labor, including lifting heavy loads (feed/hay bags), bending, and standing for long periods in various weather conditions.
• Strong attention to detail, especially regarding sanitation and biosecurity protocols.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Prior experience in a veterinary hospital, clinic, or large-scale breeding/boarding facility.
• Knowledge of basic veterinary terminology and biosecurity practices.

Other Responsibilities

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Experience/Education

Completion of an accredited training program in the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Some positions may require additional Training, Certifications, or Licensure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Equine & Farm Animal Care: Extensive experience in veterinary and teaching hospital settings, including handling equine/mixed animals, cleaning stalls, operating common barn equipment (tractors, forklifts, vacuums), and maintaining physical stamina to lift up to 90 lbs.
• Safety & Regulatory Compliance: Well-versed in OSHA and AAHA standards, with a proven ability to work safely around sick animals, zoonotic diseases, hazardous materials, and chemical/gas anesthetics.
• Professional Communication & Service: Dedicated to delivering high-quality customer service and communicating effectively, with a proven ability to maintain professionalism and composure in emotionally charged or challenging situations.
• Collaborative & Independent Work: A reliable team player who actively participates in group problem-solving, while possessing the self-motivation to work independently with minimal supervision and adapt to overtime when needed.
• Administrative & Technical Skills: Proficient in basic computer operations, including accurate data entry, managing correspondence via email, and handling basic spreadsheet tasks

Required License or Certification

• NC Driver's License is required and will need to be obtained within 60 days of hire and maintained throughout employment.

Valid NC Driver's License required Yes Commercial Driver's License Required? No