Caretaker - Detailed Cleaner

The University of Georgia

Athens (GA)

On-site

USD 22,041 - 24,796

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

The University of Georgia is seeking a full-time Caretaker - Detailed Cleaner to maintain cleanliness within the Vet Teaching Hospital, particularly in large animal facilities. Responsibilities include the efficient cleaning of service areas and assisting in the care of animals to ensure a safe environment.

Preferred candidates will have experience in farm animal care, manual dexterity, and the ability to handle a variety of cleaning tasks. The role offers competitive hourly compensation at $16.92.

Qualifications

Experience working in a farm animal environment
Familiarity with driving trucks and forklifts
Experience in infectious disease environments

Responsibilities

Clean and maintain patient facilities in the Vet Teaching Hospital
Transport unowned animals to county animal shelter
Follow daily and weekly cleaning schedules

Skills

Handling and working with large and small animals

Sanitation and disinfection techniques

Manual dexterity

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Posting Number

S15339P

Working Title

Caretaker - Detailed Cleaner

Department

VetMed-VTH Large Animal Hosp

Posting Type

External

Retirement Plan

TRS

Employment Type

Employee

Benefits Eligibility

Benefits Eligible

Full/Part Time

Full Time

Additional Schedule Information

Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Advertised Salary

$16.92 per hour

Posting Date

06/23/2026

Open until filled

Yes

Proposed Starting Date

08/02/2026

Location of Vacancy

Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of its 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards.

Classification Title

Animal Care Technician I

FLSA

Non-Exempt

FTE

1.0

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

This position is located primarily in the Large Animal hospital taking care of stalls for discharged large animals and preparation for new patients. Some cross training into small animal hospital when needed to cover a shift. Preferred experience in a farm animal environment with proven experience driving a regular truck and forklift. Experience having worked in an Infectious Disease environment where deep cleaning and sanitation was required.

Position Summary

This work involves the cleaning and maintenance of patient facilities in the Vet Teaching Hospital. This position will follow a daily and weekly schedule and perform detailed tasks to include cleaning of service area floors including mopping, picking up laundry, stocking and distribution of food, cleaning drains, vacuuming, pressure washing, waste removal, using chemicals to disinfect equipment and surfaces, maintaining the appearance of concrete walkways of the outside barns using a backpack blower and pressure washer. This position picks up orders from a local company, replenishes gas in tractors, carts, and trucks used by the hospital, orders and stocks/distributes shavings with assistance from the lead caretaker. This position transports unowned animals brought to the hospital to the county animal shelter.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

Be comfortable in handling, upkeep, and working in close proximity with large and small animals. Ability to maintain sanitation/disinfection techniques for large animals and small ruminants. Ability to stand for long periods, and to work well interpersonally with a variety of staff, students, and doctors.

Physical Demands

Lift, and carry up to 75 pounds.
Sit, stand, stoop, bend, and walk intermittently during the day on hard floor surfaces.
Manual dexterity sufficient to accurately work with small, delicate pieces of equipment or large heavy objects/containers/machinery.
Work for long periods with arms extended.
Work with cleaning equipment and chemicals.
Work within an environment with potential exposure to zoological diseases and has high levels of animal sounds, bodily fluids that need disposal, and open wound management.
Driving to perform job related duties.

Driving Responsibility

Yes

Position of Trust

Yes

Financial Resource Interaction

P-Card Requirement

Direct Interaction with Children Under 18 or Patient Care

Yes

Security Access

Yes

Credit and P-Card Policy

Credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in the application materials as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable.

Small Animal Detailed Cleaning

Daily Tasks

Check service area floors, treatment areas, cage, and run floors.
Wards hallway floor.
Perform laundry pick up.
Stock and distribute Small Animal food.
Wipe down scale in wards hallway.
24-hour unit floors.

Weekly Tasks

Clean drains behind runs following a rotating schedule to ensure that drains are cleaned once per week.
Vacuum or dust vents following a rotating schedule to ensure each area is cleaned on a weekly basis specifically the areas where animals are being held.
Dermatology service cleaning.
Remove waste from the dog walk area followed by pressure washing area.

Percentage of time

Large Animal Detailed Cleaning

Daily Tasks

Perform the Necropsy run for Large and Small Animal units.
Change out mop water, rinse mop buckets, and change mop heads (as needed and check daily).
Vacuum/sweep barn aisles.
Distribute hay/feed including round bales in paddocks.
Sweep and disinfect scales.
Clean exam rooms (when unoccupied) concluding with colic exam rooms.
Clean/disinfect door handles, door buttons, and countertops.

Weekly Tasks

Assist with barn aisle cleaning to include scrubbing with detergent and running floor machine, or Rescue/rinse/squeegee a minimum of 2-3 times per week.
Redistribute water buckets and feed pans to barns as needed following color codes to reflect biosecurity.
Clean inside drains following a rotating schedule to ensure that each barn is done on a weekly basis.
Clean up outside of barns, especially Isolation barn.
Change mop water/mop heads in Large and Small Animal units.
Clean feed bins.
Disinfect and replace cleaning tools as needed in barns to include brooms, shovels, picks, squeegees.
Using a backpack blower, clean walkways outside of barns followed by pressure washing as weather permits.
Following a weekly rotating schedule, clean the inside drains of barns.
Remove cobwebs from barns following a weekly rotating schedule.
Pick up the Bar G Order on Tuesday (order to be placed Thursday)
Replenish gas tanks for Large Animal tractors and carts.
Replenish gas for work trucks.
Transport unowned animals brought to the hospital to the county animal shelter.
Order, stock, and distribute shavings. Lead caretaker to assist with distribution.
Restock shavings bays for Healthy, Colic, and Isolation barns.
Test/calibrate Rescue wall stations monthly.