Animal Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Animal Care Assistant
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
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:
ICU
Anticipated Appointment Date:
March 2026.
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:
• 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 workspaces including floors, counterspace, 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.
Minimum Qualifications:
1. High school or GED.
2. Experience in animal care practices.
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: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
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.
Screening Date:
March 5, 2026, until filled.
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, (662) 325-5839.
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: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
Advertised: Feb 26 2026 Central Standard Time
Applications close:
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