1

Large Animal Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Wendell Animal Hospital is seeking a full-time dog groomer to join our dedicated staff in Wendell ... Foca sees a large variety of exotics patients and is happy to provide mentorship in this area.

Deliver packages, mail, and pulled orders to addressed individuals or services within the Terry Center , Health & Wellness (H&W) , and Large Animal (LA) Hospitals . * Loading Dock Support: Provide ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Large Animal information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$9

$20

$27

How much do large animal jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for large animal in Raleigh, NC is $20.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $24.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Large Animal Veterinarians, and how are they addressed?

Large Animal Veterinarians often work in rural environments and may need to travel long distances to farms and ranches, which can make responding to emergencies challenging, especially during adverse weather or off-hours. They frequently work with animals much larger and sometimes less predictable than traditional pets, requiring careful handling techniques and safety precautions. To address these challenges, veterinarians typically receive extensive hands-on training and utilize proper equipment for animal restraint and transport. Many practices also foster a collaborative team environment where veterinarians consult with colleagues and vet technicians to solve complex cases. Staying updated with continued education and participating in industry networks helps professionals manage these demands and deliver excellent animal care.

What is the highest paying job in animal care?

The highest paying jobs in large animal care are often specialized roles such as large animal veterinarians or equine surgeons, who require advanced degrees and certifications. These professionals typically earn higher salaries due to their expertise, complex procedures, and the critical nature of their work in animal health and welfare.

What is a Large Animal job?

A Large Animal job typically involves working with livestock and farm animals such as cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs. Professionals in these roles, including veterinarians and technicians, focus on animal health, nutrition, reproduction, and disease prevention. They may work on farms, ranches, or veterinary clinics, providing medical care and management support. This job requires knowledge of animal behavior, handling techniques, and sometimes physical endurance for fieldwork.

What jobs work with large animals?

Jobs that work with large animals include veterinarian, large animal veterinarian, farm worker, livestock handler, animal trainer, and equine therapist. These roles often require knowledge of animal care, handling skills, and sometimes specialized certifications or licenses. They are typically performed in farms, veterinary clinics, or animal rescue facilities.

What kind of careers work with animals?

Large Animal careers include roles such as large animal veterinarians, farm managers, animal trainers, and livestock inspectors. These jobs typically require knowledge of animal health, handling skills, and sometimes specialized certifications or degrees in veterinary medicine or animal science. They often involve working outdoors or on farms with a focus on animal care, management, and welfare.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Large Animal position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Large Animal Veterinarian, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, a state veterinary license, and strong knowledge of livestock anatomy, diseases, and treatment protocols. Proficiency in specialized diagnostic tools such as ultrasound machines, mobile lab equipment, and the use of herd management software is often required. Excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and physical stamina are valuable soft skills in handling both animals and clients. These skills are crucial for delivering high-quality care, ensuring animal welfare, and maintaining strong working relationships with farmers and ranchers in diverse, often challenging environments.

What is the highest paying job in the animal industry?

In the large animal sector, specialized roles such as large animal veterinarians tend to be among the highest paying jobs, often earning six-figure salaries due to advanced education, licensing, and the complexity of animal care. Other high-paying positions include large animal surgeons and researchers working in academia or industry, especially those with advanced degrees and extensive experience.
What are the most commonly searched types of Large Animal jobs in Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Large Animal jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What job categories do people searching Large Animal jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Large Animal jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Large Animal jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Large Animal job openings:
Infographic showing various Large Animal job openings in Raleigh, NC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $42,560 per year, or $20.5 per hour.

Animal Services Operations and Programs Director

Wake County Government

Raleigh, NC

Other

Posted 6 days ago


Wake County rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 26 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

146th of 663 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Wake County Animal Services is seeking an experienced, people-focused, progressive operations leader to serve as its Animal Services Operations and Programs Director. This is a newly created position born out of a deliberate reorganization of the Animal Center's leadership structure, and it reflects the County's commitment to providing the additional resources needed to take the Animal Center to the next level of excellence. The right candidate brings strong management experience, a genuine commitment to animal welfare outcomes, and the interpersonal skills required to lead a large, mission-driven team.How to ApplyWake County is partnering with Raftelis to lead the recruitment for our Animal Services Operations and Programs Director.

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning July 24, 2026.

Theexpected hiring range is 101,817 to 142,541, depending on qualifications. WakeCounty offers a comprehensive total compensation package that reflects itscommitment to recruiting and retaining exceptional public sector leaders.

To view the full job description and submit your application, please visit raftelis.com.

The PositionThe Animal Services Operations and Programs Director sits within the Community Services Department, reports to the Deputy Community Services Director, and will serve as a co-director alongside the Medical and Welfare Director, who oversees the shelter's veterinary care, population management, and Animal Control. Candidates who are comfortable with shared leadership arrangements and who build strong alignment with peers will be well-suited for this role.

The Animal Services Operations and Programs Director is primarily responsible for overseeing the external-facing operations of the Animal Center, with primary responsibility for customer service, facility operations, and foster, transfer, and volunteer program management, ensuring these functions operate at a consistently high standard and that program goals are resourced, tracked, and met. A significant portion of the role involves monitoring shelter performance data and operational metrics to drive continuous improvement across intake diversion, placement outcomes, and high-quality customer service. The Director also carries the primary administrative and fiscal responsibility for the Center, including budgeting and records management in compliance with county, state, and federal requirements, as well as hiring, onboarding, and performance management for their team.

The Operations and Programs Director leads a team of 25 FTEs with four direct reports covering Community Outreach (Volunteer, Foster, and Transfer Programs), Customer Experience and Administration, and Animal Welfare Attendants and Adoption Support. The Volunteer Program supports the many volunteers who spend more than 23,000 hours per year providing dog walking, cat cuddling, matchmaking, enrichment, administrative support, and more. The Foster Program provides seven-day-a-week support for fosters who take in kittens too small for the adoption floor, dogs in need of heartworm treatment, post-surgical recovery patients, and animals that are too stressed to thrive in the shelter environment. Last year, we averaged 313 animals in foster every month, and our goal is to grow this program to 400 active foster homes. The Transfer Program coordinates the support of local, state, and national rescue groups that take animals requiring more medical or behavioral support than the Animal Center can provide, as well as freeing up space on our crowded adoption floor. Last year, transfer partners took approximately 1,600 animals from the Animal Center, and we hope to grow this program to return to the prior numbers of 3,000 animals being transferred out each year.

The Operations and Programs Director works alongside the Medical and Welfare Director, jointly developing long and short-term plans, sharing program goals and performance metrics, co-designing standard operating procedures and disaster preparedness plans, and ensuring consistent public communication on animal services matters

The Operations and Programs Director is responsible for the Animal Center's community relations, representing the Center in meetings with government officials, civic organizations, and partner agencies, and overseeing adoption-focused social media and outreach efforts. Internally, the Director works closely with County leadership on budget development, including presenting and justifying expansion requests, analyzing program costs and revenue streams, and reviewing fee structures. Wake County is currently designing a new Animal Center facility, and the incoming Director will play a role in shaping how that space is activated operationally.

What Wake County employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom