Position Function:
The function of the Animal Health Technician is to perform a variety of duties involved in providing technical support to the Nancy Fair Link Laminitis Research Center. This position provides instruction to graduate students and supervision to student workers.
Salary Grade: 12
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Area of Specialization:
Laminitis Research Center
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Assist with or independently execute research procedures including sample collection, biological specimen handling, clinical scoring relevant to laminitis studies, data collection, and accurate recording of research observations.
2. Restrain, move, and handle horses safely and humanely for husbandry, clinical, and research procedures; instruct and supervise students and staff in correct handling, restraint, and treatment techniques.
3. Monitor horse health continuously, perform routine health checks, record findings, and promptly notify the research leads and attending veterinarian and of any changes in an animal’s condition.
4. Provide daily animal care and husbandry for horses used in research, including feeding, watering, stall and turnout maintenance, bedding changes, waste removal, observation of behavior and general condition, and maintaining a clean, safe environment.
5. Administer treatments and medications under veterinary direction, perform routine clinical procedures as delegated and document all treatments in the animal health record.
6. Prepare, set up, operate, clean, and maintain specialized clinical and research equipment.
7. Conduct or assist with routine laboratory tests required for research or clinical monitoring (basic hematology, glucose/insulin testing, sample processing for submission), following laboratory safety and protocol procedures.
8. Coordinate multiple concurrent studies, prioritize tasks across projects, and act as liaison between investigators, veterinary staff, and institutional compliance offices.
9. Train, instruct, evaluate, and provide on-the-job supervision to graduate students, veterinary students, and junior animal health technicians in animal care procedures, research techniques, recordkeeping, and safety.
10. Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and institutional policies governing the care and use of animals in research, including but not limited to AAALAC accreditation standards, USDA registration requirements, and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols and directives.
11. Operate and maintain large-scale equipment as needed (pressure washer, floor scrubber, tractor, forklift) in accordance with training and safety guidelines; ensure appropriate operator certification where required.
12. Coordinate or assist with procurement and inventory of feed, bedding, medical supplies, and research consumables.
Supervisory Responsibility:
This position may supervise other research staff.
The above essential duties are representative of major duties in this position. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon Center needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.
Minimum Qualifications:
Grade and salary will be commensurate with individual’s background, education and experience.
I - Under immediate supervision, performs standard tasks using established methods, principles, concepts and procedures related to a specialized field. Judgments are made on routine matters of relatively small impact. Knows fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of particular field of specialization. Completion of an approved Animal Health Technology Program with no experience.
II - Under close supervision, perform varied duties and assignments involving some judgment. Resolves routine questions or problems, referring only complex issues to higher level. Some evaluation, originality and ingenuity Knows and applies fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures of particular field of specialization, with awareness of related fields. Completion of an approved Animal Health Technology Program plus 2 years’ experience. Experience must include at least 2 years at the preceding level or equivalent.
Senior - Under minimal supervision, performs complex assignments and fulfills broad responsibilities where required outcomes are defined, but methods and procedures may vary based on professional judgment or precedent. Considerable latitude for unreviewed action. Confers with supervisor on unusual matters. Coordinates the work of others on projects and may assign work to and assist less experienced professionals or support staff. Possesses and applies a broad knowledge of principles, practices and procedures of a particular field of specialization to the completion of difficult assignments. Also possesses knowledge of related fields and areas of operation which affect, or are affected by, own area. Completion of an approved Animal Health Technology Program plus 4 years’ experience. Experience must include at least 2 years at the preceding level or equivalent.
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Registered/Certified Veterinary Technician
2. Experience in a teaching hospital or research center
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Has established experience with horses; knows and effectively uses safe restraining and handling techniques
2. Ability to monitor horse health by performing routine health checks
3. Ability to administer treatments and medications under veterinary direction
4. Ability to perform routine clinical procedures
5. Ability to provide daily animal care and husbandry for horses used in research
6. Excellent communication and presentation skills
7. Able to write reports and verbally communicate to a wide variety of audiences, including students, and center leadership.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Occasional and/or light lifting required up to 10 pounds. Limited exposure to elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, etc.; none to the degree of being disagreeable. Frequent standing, walking, climbing or balancing required. Routine deadlines, variance in work volume predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressure from persons other than immediate supervisor.
Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically, ability to distinguish colors.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu. Please include a cover letter and resume along with names and addresses of at least three references.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
