Maintenance Mechanic/Animal Caretaker

The NC State Veterinary Hospital (VH), established in 1983, is one of the highest rated veterinary academic medical centers in the country, serving communities throughout North Carolina as well as many other states. The hospital staffs over twenty clinical services with board certified specialists that are nationally and even internationally renowned, ensuring the VH is on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine. Patients benefit from the combined expertise of multiple specialists utilizing a team approach to patient health care. Each year, nearly 30,000 patients are treated in the VH. The VH provides compassionate care, state of the art specialty health care, expert clinical instruction for 4th year veterinary students from College of Veterinary Medicine, and ongoing investigation of innovative techniques and procedures to further advance the field of veterinary medicine.

The Reedy Creek Equine Farm is a satellite facility of the NC State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. The facility is a modern home for equine reproductive services and a shared space housing faculty and students from the NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the CVM.

Essential Job Duties

This position is responsible for routine animal husbandry tasks and facility maintenance for equines housed at the Reedy Creek Farm (RCF) facility.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Feeding and watering horses, cleaning and maintaining their housing, dry lots, and pastures. Safely catch, lead and restrain horses for medical and teaching procedures.

• Position works in a secured facility in an environment where animals are used for teaching and research and is subject to Medical Surveillance procedures and review in accordance with Federal and State Laws and Regulations and University Policy.

• Position may, at times, require employee to work with or be in areas where hazardous materials and/or infectious diseases are present. Specific hazards include but are not limited to: zoonoses, chemicals, pesticides, fuels and solvents.

• Incumbent must perform tasks that require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses and shoes, protective clothing and gloves, etc. and may require the use of a respirator.

• Position will be constructing and repairing buildings, structures and fences to include basic carpentry, plumbing and electrical.

• Position also performs a variety of landscaping tasks such as mowing, weed trimming, cutting down trees, fertilizing, etc.

• Incumbent will ensure that equipment is in good working order including small engine repair and maintenance.

Please note this is a physically demanding position that involves, but is not limited to, the following:

• Quickly respond to and access horses covering a 200-acre facility.

• Work outside in all weather conditions.

• Bend, squat, kneel, stand, reach above shoulder level, and move on hard surfaces up to 8+ hours a day.

• Push, pull, move and lift heavy objects weighing up to 125 lb. with or without reasonable accomdation (e.g. bales of feed and bedding, feed sacks, materials, equipment, etc.).

• Work in a dusty, dirty and odorous environment. Tolerate foul odors, sights and substances.

• Work with animal dander, different types of hay and feed, and a variety of cleaning agents.

• Work in an area with and occasionally handle potentially dangerous large animals.

Other Responsibilities

• Position requires working on weekends and holidays; working occasional overtime; working variable hours depending on current needs of the unit.

• Lunch hours may vary and will be established per the current needs of the unit.

• Work schedule subject to change with prior notification.

• Restricted vacation during busy periods.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Experience/Education

High school diploma or equivalency; or demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work. Some positions may require special licenses or certification(s).

Optional Guidelines: Experience in the trade(s) areas related to the area of assignment may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Other Required Qualifications

• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively at all times and maintain professionalism in emotionally charged / challenging situations.

• Skills to communicate clearly, effectively and professionally orally and in writing.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Skills to interpret and understand department and university practices as well as all procedures, manuals, safety regulations, directives, and other work-related documents.

• Ability to operate and use vehicles and equipment including farm equipment (e.g. different types of tractors and attachments), full size pickup truck, ATV's, tractor, etc.

• Ability using hand tools, power tools and landscaping tools.

• Ability to perform minor repair work (e.g. fix fencing, watering devices, minor plumbing repairs, feeders, etc.).

• Must be able to lift 125 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to clean and provide maintenance for tractors, vehicles and equipment (e.g. change oil and filters, tire changes, battery changes, etc.).

• Ability to perform small engine repair

• Skills to operate a personal computer to check e-mail and use MS Word & Excel documents.

• Experience to safely catch, lead and restrain horses.

• Experience with equines to safely work in animal areas.

• Ability to clean stalls and feeding/watering horses.

• Experience and skill to identify sick and/or injured horses and the ability to identify subtle changes in their behavior.

• North Carolina Pesticide License or ability to obtain one.

Required License or Certification

• NC Driver's License is required and will need to be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained throughout employment.

Valid NC Driver's License required Yes Commercial Driver's License Required? No