Animal Caretaker I

Animal Caretaker I

locations

Ames, IA

time type

Full time

posted on

Posted 2 Days Ago

job requisition id

R20014

Position Title: Animal Caretaker I

Job Group: Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to read, write, and follow instructions. • Possession of a valid state or commercial driver's license, as required.

Job Description:

Come join our team as an Animal Caretaker!

At Iowa State University Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center (LVMC), you will collaborate with a team of experts and make a meaningful impact on the future of veterinary medicine. Under direct supervision, the Animal Caretaker I in the Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Service (ECC) is responsible for ensuring the proper handling, feeding, and care of animals, as well as maintaining the cleanliness and functionality of animal facilities in compliance with federal, state, and university regulations. This role supports animal health and welfare while assisting veterinary technicians and clinical staff in daily operations.

The Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Service provides around the clock care for patients experiencing illness, injury, trauma, and post-surgical recovery. Working in a fast-paced veterinary teaching hospital, the Animal Caretaker I collaborates with veterinarians, residents, interns, veterinary technicians, and support staff to help ensure exceptional patient care and animal welfare.

What You'll Do

• Provide daily care for hospitalized small animal patients, including feeding, watering, bathing, and maintaining clean, comfortable living spaces.

• Clean and disinfect kennels, isolation areas, equipment, and treatment spaces while following established biosecurity and infection control protocols.

• Safely handle and restrain animals of varying sizes and temperaments to support veterinary treatments, diagnostics, and patient care activities.

• Monitor patients and communicate changes in behavior, appetite, mobility, or overall condition to veterinary technicians and clinical staff.

• Transport patients throughout the hospital while maintaining safety and animal welfare standards.

• Support the care of animals recovering from illness, injury, trauma, and surgery in a fast-paced Emergency and Critical Care environment.

• Collaborate with veterinarians, residents, interns, veterinary technicians, and support staff to provide high-quality patient care.

• Help maintain a clean, safe, and organized hospital environment and assist with routine facility upkeep.

• Work Environment

• This position works in a 24/7 Emergency and Critical Care hospital setting and requires the ability to work with animals of varying sizes and temperaments. Work involves frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, cleaning, and animal handling while following established safety and biosecurity procedures.

• Animal Caretaker Shift Openings

• Swing Shift

• Overnight

• Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with small animals.

• Experience handling and/or restraining dogs and cats.

• Experience cleaning and/or disinfecting animal care areas, equipment, or housing spaces.

• Experience administering medications and/or assisting with animal treatments.

• Experience monitoring animal health and/or reporting changes in condition to veterinary or animal care staff.

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Appointment Type:

• Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

• 12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

• Full time

Pay Grade:

• 7611a

Original Posting Date:

• October 1, 2026

Posting Close Date:

• October 15, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

• R20014

• Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

• General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

• Current employees (excluding temporary, student and graduate assistants) must apply through the Workday Internal Careers Hub.

• About Us

• By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

• Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community. Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

• All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

• Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

• If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

• General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

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