Veterinary Assistant

umd; Maryland; On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Maryland Eastern Shore seeks a Veterinary Technician to assist with health and well-being of all laboratory animals, under the UMES Veterinarian. Responsibilities include animal procurement, quarantine, surgery support, anesthesia, euthanasia, and handling of various species at UMES.

The role requires strong independence, ability to lift over 50 pounds, and willingness to work weekends/holidays.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with 4 years of animal care experience or a relevant degree.
• B.S. in animal sciences or an AA in Veterinary Technology (LAT) or similar.
• AALAS LAT certification preferred or equivalent.
• Ability to lift over 50 pounds and handle large animals as described.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and specialized duties for care of laboratory animals.
• Maintain and sanitize animal facilities and ensure inventory of supplies.
• Observe and report animal behavior and collect samples.
• Administer routine health protocols under veterinarian guidance.
• Repair and maintain laboratory equipment as needed.
• Supervise student workers/volunteers and assist research staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Animal care

Communication

Independent work

Leadership

Education

Animal science degree

AALAS LAT certification

HS + animal experience

Tools

Blood machines

Centrifuges

Job description

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement: The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s (UMES) Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Sciences; Extension, and Agriculture Experiment Station seek applications and nominations for a Veterinary Technician. The anticipated starting date for this position is spring 2026. The department offers B.S. degrees in Agribusiness Management and General Agriculture (with several concentrations), an M.S., and a Ph.D. in Food and Agricultural Sciences. The department is actively engaged in teaching, research, and extension, and has many faculty and staff with split appointments with UMES Extension and UMES Agriculture Experiment Station.

University Information: The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is the 1890 Land-Grant University in Maryland, located in a rural setting on the Delmarva Peninsula, between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. The major metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C., Baltimore, MD, and Philadelphia, PA, are within easy travel distance.

Benefits: UMES offers exciting opportunities for professional growth.

• Health benefits (medical, prescription, dental, flexible spending accounts)
• Retirement (State or Optional Retirement Plan with Fidelity or TIAA)
• Supplemental Retirement Accounts (TIAA, Fidelity, or MSRP-Nationwide) with $600 annual state match
• Life Insurance (state sponsored MetLife, USM sponsored MetLife Plan, life insurance and long-term disability insurance)
• Tuition Remission
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid holidays
• Paid leave (Exempt positions start at 22 days annual, sick leave 15 days per year, personal leave 3 days per year)

The Veterinary Assistant will work under the direction of the UMES Veterinarian to assist with the health and well-being of all laboratory animals used at UMES. This involves the effective management of animal procurement and transportation; preventative medicine including quarantine, animal biosecurity, and surveillance); clinical disease, disability, or related health issues; protocol-associated disease, disability, and other sequelae; surgery and preoperative care; pain and distress; anesthesia and analgesia; and humane euthanasia. The Veterinary Assistant performs routine and specialized duties associated with animal care, including feeding, medicating, cleaning, restraining, and transportation of laboratory animals (i.e., mice, sheep, goat, swine, and fish), adhering to all local, state, federal, and University regulations, guidelines, and policies. Weekend and holiday work are a requirement of this position. May be designated as essential personnel during a storm/natural disaster. Responsibilities must be performed with minimal instruction, and the person will be expected to perform duties as described independently.

Responsibilities

• Performs routine and specialized duties associated with animal care, including feeding, medicating, cleaning, restraining, and transportation of laboratory animals (i.e., mice, sheep, goat, swine, and fish), adhering to all local, state, federal, and University regulations, guidelines, and policies.
• Maintain and sanitize animal facilities, ensuring there is adequate inventory of necessary supplies and equipment needed for research and animal care.
• Observe and report animal behavior and conditions, collecting and preparing samples.
• Execute routine health protocols and, under the advice of the UMES veterinarian, treat animals, accordingly, strictly following medicament withdrawal periods.
• Repair and maintain laboratory equipment (blood machines, McMaster fecal/centrifuge, etc.) as needed, ensuring that research and animal care continue smoothly.
• Supervising student workers/volunteers and provide technical assistance to research and veterinary personnel.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

• May require extended periods of standing, bending, stooping, sitting at desk.
• Ability to lift over 50 pounds and handle animals that range from 50-200lbs.
• Requires communication with a variety of constituents externally and internally.
• Requires operation of a variety of office equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: High School diploma and one of the following: (1) 4 years of animal husbandry, related animal care or animal research experience or (2) B.S. Degree in animal sciences or (3) Associate of Arts degree in Veterinary Technology or equivalent college level program (LVT) or (4) certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) as Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT).

Experience: Four (4) years of experience without a degree or certification.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of animal technical skills and ability to identify sick animals and provide medical treatment as prescribed.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to perform job duties while wearing respiratory protection may be required
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership skills.
• Ability to work with laboratory animal species without jeopardizing the health status of the animals.
• Ability to follow oral and written instruction.
• Ability to assist in managing and conducting research projects.
• Ability to collect, and process samples and research data.
• Ability to use and trouble shoot equipment
• Ability to lift over 50 pounds and handle animals that range from 50-200lbs.

Department

UMES-AGNS-Agriculture/Operations

Worker Sub-Type

Staff Regular

Salary Range

$60,000 - $65,000

EEO Statement

UMES is an EEO/AA employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation. Minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate must be able to show acceptable documentation establishing the right to accept employment in the United States of America without employer sponsorship.

Diversity Statement

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is an equal access, equal opportunityinstitution fully committed to diversity in education and employment. All students, employees, and the campus community at UMES are valued, respected, and have the opportunity to receive an equitable experience in an inclusive, welcoming environment of openness and appreciation.

Title IX Statement

It is the policy of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) based on sex in the University's educational programs and activities. Title IX also prohibits retaliationfor asserting or otherwise participating in claims of sex discriminations or harassment.