Animal Care Worker

University of Missouri-Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Missouri-Columbia is seeking a reliable Animal Care Worker to support the Office of Animal Resources. The role involves daily animal care, colony management, and adherence to care protocols, with emphasis on safety, health, and welfare of animals in a busy facility.

This full-time, benefit-eligible position requires strong organizational skills, the ability to work onsite, and a commitment to university values. Shift is 7:00 a.m.

Qualifications

• Must be able to read and write.
• Ability and desire to handle and work with animals.
• Good physical strength and stamina to lift heavy objects.

Responsibilities

• Research animal husbandry and colony management.
• Follow protocols to ensure health and welfare of animals.
• Facility cleaning and upkeep, maintain supplies and inventory.
• Feed and care for animals; prepare and weigh food.
• Administer special diets and water as needed.
• Maintain orderliness and sanitary conditions of premises.
• Clean cages and equipment; operate cage washing equipment and autoclaves.

Skills

Read and write

Animal handling

Physical fitness

Job description

Hiring Department

Office of Animal Resources

Job Description

The University of Missouri seeks a reliable and service-oriented Animal Care Worker to support the Office of Animal Resources efforts to develop and deliver care, support, and help to University clients. The successful candidate will foster and maintain positive relationships with co-workers, clients, and other lab personnel. Must have a desire to work with and care for animals on a daily basis. This position is benefit-eligible, full-time.

Key Duties Performed By This Position Will Include

• Research animal husbandry and colony management
• Follows protocols to ensure the health and welfare of animals in care
• Facility cleaning and upkeep
• Maintaining animal care supplies and inventory
• Performs standard duties related to feeding and care of animals; prepares, mixes, and weighs food for animals
• Administers special diets and waters animals
• Maintains orderliness and sanitary conditions of premises;
• Cleans cages, rooms, adjacent areas, and various equipment used in animal care
• Safely operates cage washing equipment and autoclaves where cages and equipment are prepped and cleaned
• Successful candidates will be persuasive communicators with exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• They must demonstrate the following durable skills: leadership, character, collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, metacognition, growth mindset, and fortitude. Additionally, customer service, confidentiality, integrity, and a commitment to the university values.

Must be available for reliable and consistent onsite work.

Shift

7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., various 5-day work weeks, some including weekends

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be able to read and write.
• No experience is necessary.
• Ability and desire to handle and work with and around animals.
• Good physical strength, condition and stamina sufficient to lift heavy objects.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $15.00 - $25.00 per hour

Grade: GGS B

University Title: Animal Care Worker

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

Resume, application

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Other Information

In order to be considered as a Union Bidder for this position you must:

• complete ALL sections of the application
• (including all work experience - incomplete applications will not be considered)
• complete six months of regular service at the University
• apply within the published, five-day posting period
• meet the minimum qualifications for the vacancy

Your qualifications for this position will be evaluated based on the information you provide on your job application. Once the job posting period is closed, there will be no opportunity to submit additional information regarding your qualifications. Therefore, you need to ensure that your application materials are complete when submitted.

Union Bid Period: 09/16/2026 - 09/24/2026

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.