Equine and Farm Animal Attendant

Department: NC State Veterinary Hospital, located in Raleigh, NC.

About The Department

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.

Responsibilities

• Patient Care & Husbandry:
  • Provide daily feeding, watering, grooming, and handling for patient species including equine, bovine, caprine, ovine, and camelids.
  • Safely restrain animals to assist clinical staff during treatments and examinations.
• Hospital Sanitation & Biosecurity:
  • Maintain a clean and hygienic hospital environment by strictly following established protocols.
  • Perform stall cleaning, deep cleaning, disinfection of clinical areas, and regular trash removal.
  • Strictly adhere to all Infectious Disease and biosecurity protocols.
• Facility & Equipment Maintenance:
  • Maintain indoor and outdoor hospital grounds as needed.
  • Monitor supplies and equipment, assisting with routine maintenance and repair schedules.
• Operations & Operations Support:
  • Assist with inventory control, supply ordering, and purchasing.
  • Collaborate and maintain effective communication with hospital departments and ancillary services.
  • Participate in an on-call schedule, including weekend and holiday rotations as required.

Requirements

• Experience: Prior experience handling and caring for large animals (equine, livestock, etc.) in a veterinary, farm, or clinical setting preferred.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to perform physically demanding tasks (lifting, walking, bending, stall cleaning) in varying weather conditions.
• Skills: Strong communication skills, high attention to detail, and a team-first mindset.
• Availability: Flexibility to participate in evening, weekend, holiday, and on-call rotations.
• 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.
• Required License or Certification:
  • Valid driver’s license required.
  • NC Driver’s License will need to be obtained within 60 days of hire and maintained throughout employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Equine & Animal Care Experience: Background as a groomer/caretaker in a veterinary setting (preferably a teaching hospital), including direct equine handling, stall cleaning, and barn equipment operation (tractors, forklifts, etc.).
• Safety & Compliance: Hands-on experience with OSHA and AAHA standards, with the ability to safely work around sick animals, zoonotic diseases, hazardous materials, and anesthesia gases.
• Communication & Professionalism: Proven customer service skills with the ability to communicate effectively, collaborate in a team, and maintain composure during emotionally charged situations.
• Physical Capability & Adaptability: Able to perform extended physical labor, lift up to 90 lbs, work independently with minimal supervision, and work beyond scheduled hours when necessary.
• Technical & Administrative Skills: Basic computer literacy, including data entry, email communication, and spreadsheet management.

Pay

Anticipated hiring range: $39,000. Salary range: $39,000 - $77,109.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Includes on-call, weekend, and holiday rotations as required.

Benefits

• 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
• Childcare benefits
• Wellness & Recreation Membership
• Wellness Programs

Perks and benefit eligibility is based on part-time or full-time employment status.