Animal Attendant, Veterinary Medical Centre

Primary Purpose: To provide 24-hour assistance to ensure basic daily requirements of all animals are maintained in the Veterinary Medical Centre. The VMC is focused on patient and client care, learning and discovery. Our animal attendants are essential for our team to provide the highest standards of care for patients, clients, staff and students. This position will float throughout the hospital.

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Manager, Operations, this position works independently with support and direction from clinicians and registered veterinary technologists.   Heavy repetitive manual tasks including lifting, moving, crouching, kneeling, moving of cadavers and cleaning of equipment and facilities. i.e. cans/bags of feed, bales of feed, and restraint of animals.  This position works in an animal facility with large animals and small animals, which exposes employees to animal dander, waste, and unpredictability.  Subject to some unpleasant odors, dress code, and traffic pattern restrictions.  Subject to rotating varying shifts, including evenings and weekends. Hours will vary, including days, evenings, nights, weekends and STAT holidays.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities: Provides assistance to clinicians, students and vet technicians essential to animal care; cleans and disinfects hospital facilities; including kennels, stalls, surgery suites, etc. according to hospital protocols; observation of animals and reporting of observations; feeds, milks, exercises, and provides bedding for all animals in the care of the Large and Small Animal Clinic; walks, moves, handles and restrains animals;  pickup, organize and stocking/maintaining of supplies (and cadavers); maintains and repairs equipment; and operates VMC vehicles (truck, van, skid steer) and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education: Completion of Grade 12.  Must possess and maintain a valid Saskatchewan driver's license and an acceptable driving record.

Experience: At least two years of related and practical experience, preferably in a hospital setting. Experience in handling and care of large and small animals, including exotics.  

Skills: Ability to adapt to and understand the needs of a hospital environment. A sound background and knowledge of animal husbandry with respect to various animal species such as small mammals, rabbits, reptiles, amphibians, ferrets, birds, wildlife, and large mammals such as bovine, equine, ovine, caprine, porcine, and some exotics (alpacas, llamas). Ability to perform heavy manual labour associated with cleaning activities and the operation of related animal handling equipment. Ability to work in varying and unpredictable conditions, both indoors and outdoors. Must be comfortable with restraining and assisting with bovine and equine patients, including bulls and stallions. Familiarity with low-stress cattle handling and fear-free equine procedures is an asset. Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to effectively work both independently and as part of a team. Demonstrated effective organizational and time management skills.

Department: Veterinary Medical Centre
Status: Term 12 months with the possibility of extension

Employment Group: CUPE 1975

Shift: Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $ per hour. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family (if applicable): Applied Scientific Services

Salary Phase/Band: Phase 3

Posted Date: 11/19/2025

Closing Date: 11/25/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at:

Criminal Record Check: Yes
Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.
We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.
The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources for assistance.