Careers at Virginia Tech

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 some afterhours, weekends, and holidays as needed.

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.

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).

Certification as licensed veterinary technician (LVT) or eligible for licensure

3

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Restricted

40+

March 28, 2025

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

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

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