Instructional Specialist, Large Animal Focus (Oro Valley, AZ)

Arizona; Oro Valley (AZ); On-site; USD 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Tuition reduction for employee and/or/

Retirement plans

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

The University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine seeks an Instructional Specialist with experience in large animal medicine to support clinical education and instructional programs, including ambulatory rotations, clinical skills laboratories, and field-based veterinary training.

The role requires exceptional large animal handling, outdoor and ambulatory work experience, and strong documentation and mentoring skills for veterinary students.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, including 1 year large animal handling experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist with delivery of Large Animal Ambulatory Rotations, Clinical Skills Laboratories, and other educational programs.
• Provide hands-on support to faculty and students in animal handling and restraint, physical examinations, sample collection, catheter placement, medication administration, and nursing procedures.
• Mentor veterinary students in safe large animal handling techniques and clinical procedures.
• Demonstrate best practices in biosecurity, animal welfare, patient safety, and professional conduct.
• Provide teaching support in classroom, laboratory, simulation, and field-based learning environments.

Skills

Large animal medicine

Animal handling

Documentation

Teaching/mentoring

Job description

Instructional Specialist, Large Animal Focus (Oro Valley, AZ)

Posting Number req27405

Department Vet Med Administration

Department Website Link https://vetmed.arizona.edu/

Location Outside of Tucson

Address AZ USA

Position Highlights

The College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking a highly motivated Instructional Specialist with experience in large animal medicine, husbandry, safe animal handling, to support clinical education and instructional programs. The successful candidate will provide hands‑on patient care, technical expertise, data entry and record keeping, and instructional support for large animal ambulatory rotations, clinical skills laboratories and field‑based veterinary training. This role requires exceptional large animal handling and restraint skills, experience working in outdoor and ambulatory settings, strong attention to detail in documenting patient and program information, and a commitment to teaching and mentoring veterinary students.

As a physically demanding position, candidates must be able to safely manage large animal patients, lift and transport equipment, work in varying weather conditions, maintain early morning schedules, and function effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team. Ability to start shift at 4:30 - 5:30 am some mornings.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services.

Duties & Responsibilities

Clinical Education & Instructional Support

• Assist faculty with delivery of Large Animal Ambulatory Rotations, Clinical Skills Laboratories,and other educational programs.
• Provide hands‑on support to faculty and students in animal handling and restraint, physical examinations, sample collection, catheter placement, medication administration, and veterinary nursing procedures.
• Mentor veterinary students in safe and effective large animal handling techniques and clinical procedures.
• Demonstrate best practices in biosecurity, animal welfare, patient safety, and professional conduct.
• Provide teaching support in classroom, laboratory, simulation, and field‑based learning environments.
• Assist with development, implementation, and continuous improvement of educational activities, training exercises, and instructional resources.
• Support faculty in preparation and delivery of curriculum‑based learning experiences.

Large Animal Technical Support

• Provide technical support during ambulatory visits involving equine, bovine, and small ruminant patients.
• Assist with diagnostics, treatments, preventive medicine programs, herd health management, and field procedures.
• Support patient restraint, treatment administration, sample collection, and clinical documentation.
• Assist with herd health and population medicine activities.
• Maintain accurate medical records, treatment logs, and educational documentation.
• Ensure compliance with safety, biosecurity, and animal welfare standards.
• Serve as a resource for students and faculty regarding large animal clinical procedures and patient care.

Program Coordination, Curriculum & Educational Operations

• Support scheduling, logistics, and preparation for ambulatory rotations, clinical laboratories, and field‑based educational experiences.
• Coordinate transportation of students, equipment, supplies, and teaching materials to off‑site locations.
• Collaborate with faculty, administrators, producers, shelters, and community partners to support clinical teaching activities.
• Assist with curriculum implementation, educational program coordination, and student learning activities.
• Organize and maintain instructional materials, laboratory resources, and educational records.
• Participate in curriculum planning and educational improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate workshops, training activities, and special educational programs.

Operations, Equipment & Inventory Management

• Maintain inventories of ambulatory supplies, pharmaceuticals, equipment, teaching resources, and vehicles.
• Organize and prepare field kits, laboratory materials, simulation equipment, and instructional resources.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance, inventory replenishment, and purchasing requests.
• Assist with vehicle inspections and operational readiness.
• Ensure laboratory, storage, and teaching areas remain organized, stocked, and prepared for instructional activities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledgeable and skilled in large animal medicine.
• Skilled in handling and treating large animal species including horses, cattle, sheep, goat and/or pigs.
• Organized with attention to detail.
• Ability to adhere to protocols.
• Ability to proactively anticipate the needs of faculty and students.
• Self‑motivated.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Demands:

• Ability to lift, move, and transport items as required for the position.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to work in extreme heat, including temperatures exceeding 100°F for more than one hour.
• Ability to work in environments with elevated noise levels.
• Ability to work around potential workplace hazards, including moving mechanical parts, vehicles, electrical currents, elevated work areas, and chemicals.
• Ability to work in environments with potential exposure to fumes, odors, dust, mists, gases, or limited ventilation.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency is required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, including 1 year large animal handling experience (equine, bovine and/or small ruminants) or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) certification or equivalent.
• Experience teaching or working in a teaching environment.

FLSA Non-Exempt

Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week 40

Job FTE 1.0

Work Calendar Fiscal

Job Category Instructional and Assessment Services

Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay $20.33 - $25.41

Compensation Type hourly rate

Grade 5

Compensation Guidance The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity. The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level OC3

Job Family Instructional Design & Support

Job Function Instruct & Assessment Services

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies 1

Target Hire Date

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates Jacquelyn Edie | [e-mail]

Open Date 10/20/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Documents Needed to Apply Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].