Animal Caretaker II

Animal Caretaker II

Location: Canton, MA Category: Support Staff Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Thu Apr 16 2026 Job Description:

Massasoit's Veterinary Technology program is looking for an enthusiastic individual interested in building a career in the animal health care field. The Veterinary Technology Facility Animal Caretaker works collaboratively with program staff, faculty, students, and animal care team members to provide Vet Tech program animals with high-quality and compassionate care. The animal caretaker demonstrates a strong work ethic, reliability, teamwork, and attention to detail while carrying out these responsibilities. Job responsibilities include ensuring the well-being and excellent care of program animals, thorough cleaning and upkeep of the Veterinary Technology kennel areas and facility, ability to accurately follow written and verbal instructions and protocols, thorough documentation, and the ability and self-motivation to work independently.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Walk dogs per safety protocol and pick up after them
• Feed and provide fresh water to dogs and cats
• Wash dishes and bowls
• Clean litter boxes
• Wash & disinfect kennels and cages
• Change bedding
• Wash, dry, & fold bedding
• Monitor the health and comfort of the animals
• Report any animal health problems to the program coordinator, vet tech lab tech, or program veterinarian
• Bathe animals as needed
• General cleaning and upkeep of animal housing, food prep, and laundry areas
• Ability to maintain accurate records
• Re-stock supplies
• Empty trash and recycling
• Administration of oral or topical medications
• Care of post-surgical patients
• Provide training, guidance and assign work to part-time kennel attendants
• Exercise direct supervision to part-time kennel attendants
• Assist veterinarian with safe animal restraint for examination
• Assist Animal Facilities Manager in appropriate documentation and recording of animal health records
• Focuses on the Commonwealth's Equity Agenda by applying related best practices throughout all job functions

Such statement of specific duties shall fall within the Human Resources Division Classification Specification. All higher education Classification Specifications shall be available at the Board of Higher Education website: www.mass.edu

Job Requirements:

Applicants must have at least (A) one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in the care, feeding and handling of dogs and cats, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

• An Associate's or higher degree with a major in animal laboratory technology or animal sciences may be substituted for the required experience.

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. On-call duties on a rotating basis to ensure the welfare of the in-house animal colonies will be required and may include holidays and weekends.

Preferred:

• Animal care and handling experience
• Knowledge in identifying dog and cat behaviors
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to give oral instructions
• Reliable transportation
• Ability and willingness to work holidays and weekends
• Experience and familiarity with veterinary medicine
• Willingness to contribute to a positive team culture
• Demonstrates initiative and strong organizational skills
• Willingness to tackle unexpected challenges
• Credentialed veterinary technician a plus

Additional Information:

Position Status: AFSCME union position, full-time, state funded with benefits. This position is 44 weeks from mid-August to mid-June and is deemed essential.

Hours: 40 hours per week (On-call duties on a rotating basis to ensure the welfare of the in-house animal colonies will be required and may include holidays and weekends.)

• The position's hours will be Thursday & Friday 7:00AM-3:00PM; Saturday thru Monday 11:00 AM-7:00 PM

Salary: $1,415.85 bi-weekly ($36,812.15 annually) Grade 10, Step 1 - Salary is prorated and represents a 10-month work schedule paid over 12 months. The 44-week work schedule runs approximately from mid-August to mid-June.

Classification Specification: https://www.mass.edu/forfacstaff/classificationspecs/home.asp

Worksite: The Canton Campus of Massasoit Community College (travel to other instructional sites may be required)

Deadline to Apply: June 17, 2026