Veterinary Assistant

University of Maryland Eastern Shore is seeking a highly skilled Veterinary Assistant to join our team. As a Veterinary Assistant, you will play a critical role in the care and management of our demonstration sheep and goats at the UMES Small Ruminant Farm.

• Perform routine and specialized duties associated with animal care, including feeding, bedding, medicating, cleaning, restraint, and transportation of sheep and goats.
• Adhere to all local, state, federal, and University regulations, guidelines, and policies.
• Assist with maintaining and sanitizing animal facilities, ensuring adequate inventory of necessary supplies and equipment needed for demonstration and training workshops and animal care in general.
• Observe and report animal behavior and conditions, collecting and preparing samples.
• Supervise student workers/volunteers and provide technical assistance to academic, extension, and research personnel.
• Execute routine health protocols and, under the advice of the UMES veterinarian, treat animals accordingly, strictly following medicament withdrawal periods.
• Repair and service lab equipment as needed to ensure research and animal care continues successfully.
• The position requires weekend, holiday, and after-hour work as needed.
• The successful candidate may be designated as essential personnel during a storm/natural disaster.
• The successful candidate must be able to perform the responsibilities with minimal instruction and be expected to independently perform the duties.

• Bachelor's degree in Animal Science or animal/agriculture-related degree.
• One year of experience working in a veterinary practice or animal clinical laboratory.
• Experience with either of the following teaching animal species: swine, ovine, caprine, or poultry.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively in a diverse workplace.

• Two years of animal husbandry, related animal care, or lab animal research experience.
• Veterinary degree (does not need to be licensed in MD).
• Associate of Arts degree in Veterinary Technology or equivalent college-level program (LVT).

The successful candidate must be able to work in a fast-paced environment, lift 50 pounds, and perform job duties while wearing respiratory protection as needed.

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.

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.