Animal Care Assistant

Position Function:


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)


Salary Grade : 08


Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.


Area of Specialization:


Animal Health Center


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:


1. Ensures animal cages and/or containment rooms are kept clean and orderly.
2. May perform a variety of animal care duties such as (but not limited to) feeding, watering, and applying shredded paper to cages.
3. The assistant is primarily responsible for cleanliness of the hospital and for assisting technicians with patient restraint.

Specific Duties:

• Sweep and mop the floor at least once during each shift.
• Mix chemicals for cleaning according to label directions.
• Clean up messes as they occur.
• Empty trash as needed. Put garbage in dumpster.
• Restock hospital supplies such as pill vials, syringes, bandage materials and IV supplies.
• Assist with unpacking hospital supply shipments and putting items in the proper storage locations. Break down and dispose of boxes from shipments.
• Keep tables, x-ray machine, CT and counters, clean, dusted, disinfected and free of debris.
• Keep hospital laundry washed and dried, including surgery shrouds, towels, etc.
• Keep the bathrooms cleaned and disinfected.
• Replace blown light bulbs.
• Keep the grounds picked up and free of litter or trash.
• Keep all doors, internal windows and mirrors cleaned and smudge free.
• 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.


Minimum Qualifications:


1. High school or equivalent.
2. Experience in animal care practices.


Preferred Qualifications:


N/A


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:


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.


Working Conditions and Physical Effort


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.


Instructions for Applying:


Link to apply:


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


Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:


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, View phone number on click.appcast.io.


What do I do if I need an accommodation?


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: View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io .


If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io . Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.