Animal Technician II

The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine seeks an Animal Technician to join the Ruffian team located in Elmont, NY. This position combines hands-on equine care with operational support, including patient handling, facility monitoring, equipment operation, and supply coordination. It is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with animals, mentoring others, and playing an important role in maintaining a safe, efficient, and well-organized hospital environment.

The job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide daily equine care (feeding, watering, bedding, grooming) and clean/disinfect stalls and animal care areas.
• Safely handle equine patients, including restraint, leading, lunging, foal and stallion handling, and assist with anesthesia recovery.
• Perform hospital maintenance, manage feed and bedding supplies, and assist with equipment upkeep and vendor coordination.
• Oversee waste removal services, ensuring recycling, trash, and waste pickups occur as scheduled.
• Follow and enforce hospital infection control protocols, including during containment situations.

Employees working in the hospital must receive the pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis vaccination series prior to or immediately after hire, which will be paid for by the department.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent up to 1 year of experience in a barn environment, including direct experience with horses, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to handle horses, feed stocking and general stable hand work.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, which include, but are not limited to, prolonged standing and kneeling, and lifting and restraining patients which exceed 100lbs.
• Must have valid NYS driver's license and the ability to operate a variety of machinery, including tractors, trucks and forklift.
• Basic mechanical aptitude.
• Must have knowledge of infection control practices
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a wide variety of people including students, veterinary technicians, and clients.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledgeable in safety procedures to avoid accidents arising from product or equipment misuse.

Important Details about the Position

• This is an onsite position located in Elmont, NY.
• This is a full-time three-year term position with potential for extension contingent upon funding and performance.
• We are unable to provide Visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for this position.
• Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

While the regular business hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, the specific schedule may change to meet the needs of the business, requiring employees to work early mornings, evenings, weekends and University holidays and scheduled breaks.

The Following Documents are Required to be Submitted with your Application

• Resume
• Cover Letter

What We Offer:

Great benefits! Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 13 additional holiday days with 2 additional floating holidays to be used at your discretion

Who We Are:

The Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists' (CRES) Hospital will provide state-of-the-art surgical, imaging, diagnostic, and rehabilitation services to enhance equine health. The hospital is located within walking distance to Belmont Park, the world's premier Thoroughbred horse-racing facility. At CRES, veterinarians aspire to assimilate knowledge gained on all fronts - at the track, in the show ring, at the research bench, and in the hospital - to deliver paradigm-shifting veterinary medical care.