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Work Animal Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

USDA APHIS | APHIS Careers

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

USDA APHIS | APHIS Careers

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

USDA APHIS | APHIS Careers

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

USDA APHIS | APHIS Careers

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

USDA APHIS | APHIS Careers

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsWork Animal JobsWork Animal Jobs in Virginia

Work Animal information

See Virginia salary details

$9

$20

$27

How much do work animal jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for work animal in Virginia is $20.87, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.16 and $24.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a work animal?

Work animals, also known as draft or working animals, are animals that are trained to perform tasks for humans, such as carrying loads, plowing fields, herding livestock, or providing transportation. Common work animals include horses, donkeys, oxen, dogs, camels, and elephants. These animals have been essential in agriculture, transportation, and other industries throughout human history, especially before the advent of modern machinery. Today, work animals are still used in many parts of the world, particularly in rural or developing areas.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a work animal, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Work Animal, essential traits include physical strength, stamina, trainability, and a temperament suited to working closely with humans, with selection often based on breed and health. Training typically involves learning to use harnesses, respond to commands, and operate within specific environments or alongside machinery. Patience, reliability, and responsiveness are crucial soft attributes that make a work animal excel in tasks such as farming, transport, or service work. These qualities ensure safety, efficiency, and harmonious collaboration between animals and their handlers in demanding work settings.

What are some of the key challenges faced by work animal caretakers, and how can they be addressed to ensure animal welfare and productivity?

Caretakers of work animals often encounter challenges such as preventing overwork, managing injuries, and providing proper nutrition and rest. Balancing workload with the animal's physical capabilities is critical to maintaining health and productivity. Effective communication with veterinarians and regular health assessments help in early detection of issues, while ongoing training ensures animals are handled safely and humanely. Building strong relationships with the animals and understanding their behavior also contributes to a safer and more productive work environment.

What is the difference between Work Animal vs Service Animal?

AspectWork AnimalService Animal
Credentials/CertificationsTypically no formal certification, but may require trainingMust be trained and certified according to ADA standards
Work EnvironmentRural, agricultural, or specialized settingsPublic spaces, indoor and outdoor environments
Employer/Industry UsageUsed in farming, transportation, or entertainment industriesAssists individuals with disabilities in daily activities
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles of working animalsAssistance for disabled individuals

Work animals are trained to perform tasks in agricultural or specialized settings, often without formal certification. Service animals are specifically trained to assist individuals with disabilities and must meet strict certification standards. While work animals are used in industries like farming, service animals are permitted in public spaces to aid their handlers. Both play vital roles but serve different purposes and environments.

What are popular job titles related to Work Animal jobs in Virginia?

For Work Animal jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Work Animal jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Work Animal jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Work Animal jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Work Animal job openings:

Work Animal jobs near you
Infographic showing various Work Animal job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,407 per year, or $20.9 per hour.

Animal Health Technician (Animal Identification Coordinator)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA • On-site

$55K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

USDA Forest Service rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 120 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

161st of 294 rated public sector bodies

Job description

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the animal identification program within an assigned geographic territory.
One vacancy is available in either Colorado or Wyoming. Additionally, there is one vacancy available in each of the other states listed in the announcement.Qualifications:Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
FOR THE GS-08 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Gathers information from individuals or organizations that owned or handled animals prior to the animals being identified as a reactor and traces the movement of the animals back to the herd of origin using the animal identification program.
  • Reviews inventory of supplies and equipment used in animal identification programs to ensure sufficient inventory for effective program operations.
  • Monitors all activities in support of the animal identification program (i.e., ear tags, vaccination tags, bangle tags, reactor tags, back tags, etc.).
  • Works with officials and employees in the livestock industry, other Federal Agencies, State diagnostic laboratories and other interested persons to explain the requirements of the animal identification program.
  • Reviews forms, health certificates, herd record and laboratory reports from Food Safety and Inspection Service or contractors for completeness and accuracy of program identification procedures.
OR Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two years of progressively higher level graduate level education leading to such a degree obtained from an accredited college or university. Qualifying graduate courses include: agribusiness, agricultural chemistry, agricultural development, agricultural economics, agricultural education, animal breeding, animal genetics, animal health, animal nutrition, animal physiology, animal products, animal reproduction, animal science, animal toxicology, animal welfare, biological and agricultural engineering, beef cattle production, dairy herd management, dairy marketing, equine production, farm management, feeding management, meat science, physiology of lactation, poultry science, ruminant nutrition, swine production, and wildlife and fisheries sciences.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.
TRANSCRIPTS are required if:
  • You are qualifying for the position based on education.
  • You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
  • This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-08 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education:Please see above for education qualification requirement information.Employment Type: OTHER

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