Animal Care Assistant

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Job no: 510304

Position type: Full-Time 12-Month

Department: 184100 - CVM AHC Administration

Location: Main Campus - Starkville, MS

Categories: Support Staff

Position Open Date: Feb 26 2026

Responsible for providing daily care, cleanliness, and upkeep for a variety of laboratory animals in a laboratory or hospital setting.

Position reports to Office Manager (functional supervisor) and Technicians on duty (line managers)

• Perform husbandry duties for non-critical patients.
• Assist in patient restraint during triage assessments, IV catheter placements, and blood draws.
• Support technicians with basic treatment tasks, including performing TPRs (temperature, pulse, respiration).
• Conduct routine ward walkthroughs ensuring patient husbandry.
• Assist with kennel maintenance and sanitation ensuring patients have appropriate bedding and comfort items.
• Perform overnight restocking and organizational tasks ensuring hospital maintenance.
• Perform storeroom inventory restocking.
• Prepare unit for shift change ensuring sanitation, cleanliness, and stock.
• Maintain biosecurity protocols.
• Maintain clean and sanitary work spaces including floors, counter space, dishes, laundry, and garbage.
• Maintain refrigerator for up-to-date husbandry needs.
• Maintain food room as needed.
• Keep lower outside windows clean.
• Spray any wasp nests as they are found.
• Help properly identify and prepare cadavers for pick up.
• Provide patient restraint for exam, imaging or procedures, as needed.
• Run errands for the hospital.
• Walk dogs outside.
• Clean and disinfect kennels and runs and keep animals in a clean, sanitary and comfortable environment.
• Follow all safety rules concerning animal restraint, handling cleaning supplies, and radiation safety.
• Attend hospital meetings or events, when invited.
• Water bushes outside, as needed.
• Help with triage, including retrieving sick or injured patients from vehicles.
• Other duties as assigned.

Must be neat and organized and have a strong attention to detail. Must be able to follow instructions and be good at prioritizing work in order to keep the facility, grounds and equipment clean, while at the same time helping as needed with animal restraint.

Must effectively be able to read, speak and write in English. Must be able to lift 50 lbs., work on feet all day, and handle animals up to 100 lbs. Must be punctual and able to work assigned shifts, including nights, holidays and weekends. Must follow practice dress code and present a clean and professional appearance. Must practice good hygiene minimize disease spread when handling patients.

Must understand basic safety guidelines for radiation, handling cleaning chemicals and supplies, and animal restraint.

Applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu
. Please include a cover letter and resume along with names and addresses of at least three references.

March 5, 2026, until filled.

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, .

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel:  oradatate.edu. If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management . Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.

Feb 26 2026 Central Standard Time