Animal Caretaker I

Iowa State University; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center (LVMC) is seeking an Animal Caretaker I to provide daily care for hospitalized small animals, assist veterinary staff, and maintain clean, safe housing in a 24/7 emergency and critical care setting.

Under supervision, you will feed, monitor, restrain when needed, and help with transport and routine facility upkeep, contributing to high-quality patient care and animal welfare.

Qualifications

• Ability to read, write, and follow instructions.
• Possession of a valid state or commercial driver's license, as required.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for hospitalized small animal patients, including feeding, watering, bathing, and maintaining clean, comfortable living spaces.
• Clean and disinfect kennels, isolation areas, equipment, and treatment spaces while following established biosecurity and infection control protocols.
• Safely handle and restrain animals of varying sizes and temperaments to support veterinary treatments, diagnostics, and patient care activities.
• Monitor patients and communicate changes in behavior, appetite, mobility, or overall condition to veterinary technicians and clinical staff.
• Transport patients throughout the hospital while maintaining safety and animal welfare standards.
• Support the care of animals recovering from illness, injury, trauma, and surgery in a fast-paced Emergency and Critical Care environment.
• Collaborate with veterinarians, residents, interns, veterinary technicians, and support staff to provide high-quality patient care.
• Help maintain a clean, safe, and organized hospital environment and assist with routine facility upkeep.

Skills

Reading and writing

CDL license

Job description

Position Title

Animal Caretaker I

Job Group

Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to read, write, and follow instructions.
• Possession of a valid state or commercial driver's license, as required.

Job Description

Come join our team as an Animal Caretaker!

At Iowa State University Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center (LVMC), you will collaborate with a team of experts and make a meaningful impact on the future of veterinary medicine. Under direct supervision, the Animal Caretaker I in the Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Service (ECC) is responsible for ensuring the proper handling, feeding, and care of animals, as well as maintaining the cleanliness and functionality of animal facilities in compliance with federal, state, and university regulations. This role supports animal health and welfare while assisting veterinary technicians and clinical staff in daily operations.

The Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Service provides around the clock care for patients experiencing illness, injury, trauma, and post-surgical recovery. Working in a fast-paced veterinary teaching hospital, the Animal Caretaker I collaborates with veterinarians, residents, interns, veterinary technicians, and support staff to help ensure exceptional patient care and animal welfare.

What You'll Do

• Provide daily care for hospitalized small animal patients, including feeding, watering, bathing, and maintaining clean, comfortable living spaces.
• Clean and disinfect kennels, isolation areas, equipment, and treatment spaces while following established biosecurity and infection control protocols.
• Safely handle and restrain animals of varying sizes and temperaments to support veterinary treatments, diagnostics, and patient care activities.
• Monitor patients and communicate changes in behavior, appetite, mobility, or overall condition to veterinary technicians and clinical staff.
• Transport patients throughout the hospital while maintaining safety and animal welfare standards.
• Support the care of animals recovering from illness, injury, trauma, and surgery in a fast-paced Emergency and Critical Care environment.
• Collaborate with veterinarians, residents, interns, veterinary technicians, and support staff to provide high-quality patient care.
• Help maintain a clean, safe, and organized hospital environment and assist with routine facility upkeep.

Work Environment

This position works in a 24/7 Emergency and Critical Care hospital setting and requires the ability to work with animals of varying sizes and temperaments. Work involves frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, cleaning, and animal handling while following established safety and biosecurity procedures.

Animal Caretaker Shift Openings

• Swing Shift
• Overnight

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with small animals.
• Experience handling and/or restraining dogs and cats.
• Experience cleaning and/or disinfecting animal care areas, equipment, or housing spaces.
• Experience administering medications and/or assisting with animal treatments.
• Experience monitoring animal health and/or reporting changes in condition to veterinary or animal care staff.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Why Choose Iowa State University?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [e-mail], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type

Regular

Number Of Months Employed Per Year

12 Month Work Period

Time Type

Full time

Pay Grade

7611a

Original Posting Date

October 1, 2026

Posting Close Date

October 15, 2026

Job Requisition Number

R20014

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.