Teaching Support Assistant, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Calgary is seeking two Full-time Limited Term Teaching Support Assistants for approximately 18 and 24 months to support the DVM undergraduate program at the Spy Hill Campus. The role involves lab-based teaching, animal handling, and safety-compliant procedures across multiple teaching wards.

Applicants should be able to work independently and as part of a team, with capacity for physically demanding tasks.

Qualifications

• Completion of Grade XII required.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a productive team member and work independently.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with a variety of animals or related education/experience.

Responsibilities

• Complete routine cleaning of equipment and animal wards according to CCAC standards.
• Follow safety standards to prevent contamination and injury.
• Assist with setting up and disassembling teaching wards and labs for courses.
• Support routine care and medical procedures on cadavers and live animals.
• Transport large animals as required using trucks and stock trailers.

Skills

Teamwork

Verbal and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Animal handling

Physical stamina

Driver license

Education

Grade XII

Post-secondary education (agriculture/veterinary related)

Tools

MS Office

PeopleSoft

Internet

Job description

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is currently seeking two (2) Full-time Limited Term Teaching Support Assistant(s) for approximately 18 and 24 months.

Reporting to the Manager, Clinical Teaching Technicians, the Teaching Support Assistant carries out various activities that support teaching in the DVM undergraduate program at the Spy Hill Campus of the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM).

Teaching activities take place in laboratory environments which include the large animal and small animal wards, and require competence working with large and small animals. Work assignment may also include general animal husbandry activities in the Animal Support Unit during high periods of work or coverage for employee absence. They will also work with the Anatomy team on a regular basis.

This position requires effective communication skills, and all work accountabilities must be carried out with a high degree of competency, professionalism and accuracy. Must have the ability to work independently, with minimal supervision. Attention to detail is crucial in following standard operating procedures. The position can be physically demanding and the ability to safely lift moderate to heavy supplies/equipment is required. Work is of varying complexity, with peak periods and short timelines for completion.

The hours of work are Monday through Friday, and will include both day and evening shifts. On occasion there may be the need to work outside of regular hours including weekends.

The position is based at the Spy Hill Campus. However, travel to Main Campus, Foothills Campus and W.A. Ranches may be required. Transportation between sites for the purpose of shipping/receiving will be provided; however possessing a valid driver license is a requirement.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

• Responsible to complete routine cleaning of specialized equipment and large animal and small animal wards (laboratories) according to Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) standards
• Expected to follow strict safety standards to avoid disease or contamination or personal injury
• Interact with staff and assist with the organization, set up and disassembly of teaching wards & labs for the undergraduate Clinical Skills, Professional Skills, Anatomy, and Pathology courses
• Support the teaching of routine care and medical procedures on cadavers and live animals
• Operate a truck and stock trailer when required to transfer large animals to the teaching facility as well as safely load and unload livestock into trailer
• Pick up and safely transport equipment and specimens needed for the teaching programs
• Clean equipment utilized in the teaching wards and laboratories as well as safely transfer equipment to the sterilization center for processing. Must apply best practices for aseptic techniques to ensure equipment and instruments are free of contaminants and that sterilization is not compromised
• Work with chemicals safely and properly, e.g. dilutions, using appropriate containers and protective gear
• Maintain a supply of consumable products utilized in the teaching wards and laboratories. Collaborate with Central Services to ensure required items are purchased
• Ensure that equipment and work space/facilities supplied by the University are maintained and kept in good order and meets safety requirements
• Ensure work is performed in a safe manner particularly when working with large equipment and when engaged in physically demanding labour intensive activities
• Working with an Animal Husbandry Care Attendant, will provide basic husbandry care as required during periods of high activity: Routine husbandry care consists primarily of feeding and watering animals, cleaning cages, and minor technical procedures, general care of facilities. Will document and log activities as per SOP
• May be required to work with multiple species of animals, ranging from rodents to farm animals to wildlife
• Monitors animals for changes in behaviour or other signs of illness and follows CCAC and University guidelines to ensure that animals are in a fed, clean, and safe state
• Performs administrative tasks related to animals and equipment use and tracking
• Must be able to identify problems and take appropriate action to resolve them independently or seek the advice of the Manager or the Clinical Teaching Support Technicians

Qualifications / Requirements

• Completion of Grade XII required
• Demonstrated ability to function as a productive team member as well as work independently
• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate both verbal and written essential
• Evidence of an ability to work with a wide variety of animals, either through direct education or a combination of education and experience
• Ability to perform physically demanding and manual work, with some heavy lifting such as large animal handling equipment
• Must possess a valid Class 5 driver license and a clean driver abstract
• Proficiency in a variety of software applications (MS office, PeopleSoft, and Internet)
• Ability to disassemble/assemble and maintain equipment is necessary. Possessing mechanical aptitude is considered an asset
• Some post‑secondary education (such as courses from an Agricultural College or industry related or veterinary supply vendors) would be considered an asset
• Previous animal husbandry care experience with livestock is considered an asset as is familiarity with large animal handling
• Ability to operate a truck and stock trailer when required to transfer large animals to the teaching facility as well as safely load and unload livestock into trailer is considered an asset
• Relevant experience as followed is preferred:
  • Veterinary Clinics
  • University Research Animal Care Facility
  • Animal care organization such as SPCA
  • Farm/ranch/livestock
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
• Sound knowledge of principles of sanitation and disinfection or willingness to learn
• Having previous WHMIS and First Aid training is desirable, however training will be offered

Application Deadline: August 24, 2026

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 1.

About The University Of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest‑ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands‑on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start‑ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution‑wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit‑based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous‑based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ( [email protected] ) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ( [email protected] ).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.