Temporary Animal Caretaker

Company Description

RUSVM

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) is the number one provider of Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs) to the U.S.* and offers a DVM program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. Located on St. Kitts, RUSVM includes the Ross University Veterinary Clinic and is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. A cutting-edge curriculum, with innovative use of technologies and simulations, provides the best possible training for tomorrow’s veterinarians.

RUSVM prepares students to become veterinary leaders by drawing connections among animals, people and the planet, as a member of the One Health Initiative. We offer research programs focused on emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases, conservation medicine and ecosystem health. Visit veterinary.rossu.edu for more information, and follow RUSVM on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

We operate on a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week (Monday–Thursday). This approach enhances creativity, innovation, communication, and relationship-building, fostering a dynamic and collaborative work environment.

*Based on the total number of DVM graduates at RUSVM compared to U.S. schools in 2024.

About Covista

Covista is America's largest healthcare educator, serving more than 97,000 students and supported by a community of 385,000 alumni across five accredited institutions. Through personalized, tech-enabled education powered by 10,000 faculty and colleagues, Covista expands access to healthcare careers and addresses the U.S. healthcare workforce shortage at scale. Covista is the parent company of American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Chamberlain University, Ross University School of Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Walden University.

Our colleagues come from a wide range of backgrounds, business, academia, healthcare, government and nonprofits, and are part of a culture where doing exceptional work and making a meaningful difference for students and society aren't separate goals—they're one and the same. This means creating an environment where colleagues can develop new skills, build careers that match their ambitions and see the tangible impact of their work on healthcare education and workforce development. Colleagues who deliver results and embrace new tools to work smarter are valued for their contributions. But what makes working at Covista distinctive is our impact. Our faculty and colleagues don't just support healthcare education—they shape it. This isn't abstract purpose work. It's solving real problems for real people in real communities while advancing careers.

We operate on a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week (Monday–Thursday). This approach enhances creativity, innovation, communication, and relationship-building, fostering a dynamic and collaborative work environment.

For more information, visit covista.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.


 

Job Description

Opportunity at a Glance
The Animal Caretaker works in the Pasture Department along with the Pasture Assistants under the direct supervision of the Manager of Animal Care.   The job involves significant outdoor work in varying weather conditions and requires the candidate to be able to lift up to 70 pounds.

Responsibilities

• This position requires that you work diligently and responsibly when independent of constant personal supervision.

• Familiarity with all current Pasture procedures, operations, schedules and projects

• Learn, understand and follow schedules, protocols and priorities established for animal care on campus

• Maintain full and effective communication with supervisor and colleagues in person and by 2-way radio

• Use of MS Outlook and current Pasture work scheduling software

• Constantly observe animals on campus for illness, injury or incident

• Count animals daily and assist Manager of Animal Care in keeping a running account of livestock on campus.  Assure that animals are confined in their appropriate paddocks.

• Examine, treat and medicate livestock and record these activities as directed by the Manager of Animal Care, given sufficient training and direction

• Assist with any emergencies affecting the animals on campus

• Collect, restrain and transport animals for scheduled and incidental teaching and care purposes on campus and appropriately supervise any assistants in these tasks

• Assist with transportation of livestock to campus

• Inspect and properly apply identification system to all incoming RUSVM livestock

• Assist students with handling and restraining livestock

• Driving of Pasture trucks or utility vehicles as necessary once licensed and insurable

• Assist with brush control in the Pasture

• Assure water is fresh, clean and available to all livestock at all times,

• Cutting, loading, delivering, unloading, chopping and receipting forage grass for Ross University livestock

• Account for and distribute stored grain feed supplies

• Daily and periodic cleaning of animal mangers, troughs stalls, pens and paddocks.

• Keep barns, stalls, lanes, pens, corrals and paddocks clean and assure these are in good repair.

• Assure that fences and gates are in good repair, trimmed free of vegetation

• Electric fence set-up, maintenance and repair

• Pest control in livestock areas—flies, ticks, mice, rats, pigeons, chickens, etc.

• Assist with forage grass culture, harvest and irrigation as requested

• Trained and available for fire emergencies and hurricane crises

• Secure and account for any RUSVM Animal Care property, materials, tools and equipment in your use, charge or area.

• Any other duties as assigned

• Completes other duties as assigned.

• Performs other duties as assigned

• Complies with all policies and standards

Qualifications

• Ability to lift 50 - 70 pounds
• Ability to work outdoors in varying climates (Sun, rain etc.)
• Ability to work standing up for long periods of time
• Comfortable working in direct contact with large or small animals (Cattle, Sheep, Donkeys, Dogs etc.)
• Must be willing to work weekends and public holidays
• Must be a licensed driver in St. Kitts
• Qualification for a Class D tractor driver’s license Preferred

Additional Information

Equal Opportunity – Minority / Female / Disability / V / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation