Animal Caretaker I

Iowa State University - College of Design; Ames, Northern (IA, KY); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center in Ames, IA is seeking an Animal Caretaker I to provide daily care for hospitalized small animals and maintain clean facilities. You will support veterinary staff in a fast-paced, 24/7 Emergency and Critical Care setting.

Shifts include swing and overnight coverage, with collaboration among veterinarians, residents, interns, and technicians to ensure exceptional patient welfare and safety. Prior animal-care experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Ability to read, write, and follow instructions.
• Possession of a valid state or commercial driver's license, as required.
• Experience working with small animals preferred.
• Experience cleaning and/or disinfecting animal care areas, equipment, or housing spaces.

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 following biosecurity protocols.
• Safely handle and restrain animals of varying sizes to support treatments and patient care activities.
• Monitor patients and communicate changes in behavior, appetite, mobility, or condition to veterinary staff.
• Transport patients throughout the hospital while maintaining safety and animal welfare standards.
• Support care of animals recovering from illness, injury, trauma, or surgery in the ECC environment.
• Collaborate with veterinarians, residents, interns, technicians, and staff to provide high-quality care.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized hospital environment and assist with routine facility upkeep.

Skills

Reading

Writing

Following instructions

Driver's license

Job description

## Animal Caretaker IApply: Ames, IA: Full time: Posted Yesterday: R20014## 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. **Application Instructions:** To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:* Resume/Curriculum Vitae* Letter of Application/Cover Letter **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