Teaching Support Assistant, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

The University of Calgary • Full-time • Calgary, Alberta, Canada • USD $ 59.63k - USD $ 119.79k / year • 1d ago

Description

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Teaching Support Assistant.

Reporting to the Manager, Clinical Teaching Technicians, the Teaching Support Assistant carries out various activities that support teaching in the DVM undergraduate program at the Spy Hill Campus of the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM).

Teaching activities take place in laboratory environments which include the large animal and small animal wards, and require competence working with large and small animals. Work assignment may also include general animal husbandry activities in the Animal Support Unit during high periods of work or coverage for employee absence. They will also work with the Anatomy team on a regular basis.

This position requires effective communication skills, and all work accountabilities must be carried out with a high degree of competency, professionalism and accuracy. Must have the ability to work independently, with minimal supervision. Attention to detail is crucial in following standard operating procedures. The position can be physically demanding and the ability to safely lift moderate to heavy supplies/equipment is required. Work is of varying complexity, with peak periods and short timelines for completion.

The hours of work are Monday through Friday, and will include both day and evening shifts. On occasion there may be the need to work outside of regular hours including weekends.

The position is based at the Spy Hill Campus. However, travel to Main Campus, Foothills Campus and W.A. Ranches may be required. Transportation between sites for the purpose of shipping/receiving will be provided; however possessing a valid driver license is a requirement.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Responsible to complete routine cleaning of specialized equipment and large animal and small animal wards (laboratories) according to Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) standards
Expected to follow strict safety standards to avoid disease or contamination or personal injury
Interact with staff and assist with the organization, set up and disassembly of teaching wards & labs for the undergraduate Clinical Skills, Professional Skills, Anatomy, and Pathology courses
Support the teaching of routine care and medical procedures on cadavers and live animals
Operate a truck and stock trailer when required to transfer large animals to the teaching facility as well as safely load and unload livestock into trailer
Pick up and safely transport equipment and specimens needed for the teaching programs
Clean equipment utilized in the teaching wards and laboratories as well as safely transfer equipment to the sterilization center for processing. Must apply best practices for aseptic techniques to ensure equipment and instruments are free of contaminants and that sterilization is not compromised
Work with chemicals safely and properly, e.g. dilutions, using appropriate containers and protective gear
Maintain a supply of consumable products utilized in the teaching wards and laboratories. Collaborate with Central Services to ensure required items are purchased
Ensure that equipment and work space/facilities supplied by the University are maintained and kept in good order and meets safety requirements
Ensure work is performed in a safe manner particularly when working with large equipment and when engaged in physically demanding labour intensive activities
Working with an Animal Husbandry Care Attendant, will provide basic husbandry
care as required during periods of high activity: Routine husbandry care consists primarily of feeding and watering animals, cleaning cages, and minor technical procedures, general care of facilities. Will document and log activities as per SOP
May be required to work with multiple species of animals, ranging from rodents to farm animals to wildlife
Monitors animals for changes in behaviour or other signs of illness and follows CCAC and University guidelines to ensure that animals are in a fed, clean, and safe state
Performs administrative tasks related to animals and equipment use and tracking
Must be able to identify problems and take appropriate action to resolve them independently or seek the advice of the Manager or the Clinical Teaching Support Technicians

Qualifications / Requirements:

Completion of Grade XII required
Demonstrated ability to function as a productive team member as well as work independently
Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate both verbal and written essential
Evidence of an ability to work with a wide variety of animals, either through direct education or a combination of education and experience
Ability to perform physically demanding and manual work, with some heavy lifting such as large animal handling equipment
Must possess a valid Class 5 driver license and a clean driver abstract
Proficiency in a variety of software applications (MS office, PeopleSoft, and Internet)
Ability to disassemble/assemble and maintain equipment is necessary. Possessing mechanical aptitude is considered an asset
Some post-secondary education (such as courses from an Agricultural College or industry related or veterinary supply vendors) would be considered an asset
Previous animal husbandry care experience with livestock is considered an asset as is familiarity with large animal handling
Ability to operate a truck and stock trailer when required to transfer large animals to the teaching facility as well as safely load and unload livestock into trailer is considered an asset
Relevant experience as followed is preferred:
- Veterinary Clinics
- University Research Animal Care Facility
- Animal care organization such as SPCA
- Farm/ranch/livestock
An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
Sound knowledge of principles of sanitation and disinfection or willingness to learn
Having previous WHMIS and First Aid training is desirable, however training will be offered

Application Deadline: November 3, 2025

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 1.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.