Animal Care Technician (ACE)

Job Description

This position involves caring for animals in the Animal Care for Education (ACE) program at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. The Animal Care for Education (ACE) team provides exceptional husbandry, medical care, and enrichment to the non-client owned animals used in the veterinary college's veterinary teaching program.

Husbandry & Enrichment-

The care and wellbeing of the animals is the primary focus of this job. The position also assists with implementing veterinary instruction including providing technical support and instruction for students while in animal care areas. Duties include cleaning, grooming, feeding, watering and general husbandry for all animals in the program (primarily farm animals with potential for some dogs, and cats). The position also involves utilization and tracking of supply and equipment needs in support of the animal care. This may include transportation of animals by trailer, driving a tractor, mower or skid steer (prior experience with these skills is not required, training can be provided). Tracking supply needs, identifying equipment and facility dysfunctions and reporting to a supervisor for ordering and repair will be required.

Medical Care-

Animal observation and reporting on the health of animals, exercising judgment in monitoring animals or seeking veterinary consultation when needed for animals maintained within the ACE is a key feature of the required work. This position can include involvement with medical interventions such as administration of medications or sterile fluids to animals, collecting blood and tissue samples, processing biological samples for diagnostic purposes, preventive health programs, anesthesia and euthanasia. This position does include an on-call component, as well as some afterhours, weekends, and holidays.

Standards of Care-

All work is performed in alignment with accreditation standards of the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) and the USDA. This is a detail-oriented work intended to provide the best care possible to the animals. These standards require maintaining and documenting quality control for sterilization equipment, processes and records. The work requires strict adherence to protocols that prevent the accidental introduction of disease. Mistakes in judgment and imprecise conduct of duties may have far-reaching impacts including impacts on animal wellbeing, as well as financial and professional impacts on teaching.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in animal science, biology, or related field, or equivalent training and experience; previous experience handling, restraining and providing basic veterinary care to animals, especially horses, cows, pigs, dogs, cats, and sheep; previous experience in animal husbandry; knowledge of health care procedures for animals; excellent organizational, time management and communication skills; ability to independently prioritize and order assigned daily tasks; demonstrated ability to work flexibly with team members to accomplish department goals; demonstrated ability to recognize abnormal behavior and clinical signs in animals, generate a basic rule out list for common disorders, and determine when a veterinarian should be consulted. Rabies prophylaxis will be required (provided by employer).

Preferred Qualifications

Ability to drive a truck and trailer

Pay Band
3

Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type
Restricted

Hours per week
40+

Review Date
May 26,2026

Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.