Live opening · Posted 15 hours ago
At a glance
The key details from the original listing.
About the role
Description supplied by the original job listing.
University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Hoffman Center Large Animal Attendant (Stallion Handler)
Job Profile Title
Large Animal Attendant B
Job Description Summary
Provides comprehensive care for large animals by independently handling feeding, grooming, and stall and facility maintenance. Supports veterinary teams during procedures, assists with transporting animals, operates various motorized equipment, and assists with other general housekeeping and groundskeeping tasks.
Job Description
The Large Animal Attendant at the Hofmann Center for Reproduction is responsible for providing high-quality daily care to both Hofmann Center and client-owned animals. This position plays an important role in maintaining animal health and welfare, supporting reproductive procedures, safely handling stallions, maintaining facilities and grounds, assisting with herd health activities, and supporting educational programs.
Stallion handling is a key component of this position. Responsibilities include safely and effectively handling stallions during semen collection, including both teaching stallions and client-owned horses. Some stallions may be experienced and familiar with the collection process, while others may be inexperienced and require training and conditioning. The successful candidate must demonstrate confidence, patience, sound horsemanship, and appropriate handling techniques when working with stallions of varying experience levels and temperaments.
Daily animal care responsibilities include feeding Hofmann Center animals, cleaning and maintaining run-in sheds, and ensuring outdoor waterers are clean, functional, and sanitary. Care of client-owned animals includes feeding, cleaning and disinfecting stalls, administering medications as directed, and turning animals out for exercise and routine activity.
Large Animal Attendants are responsible for conducting daily health checks and monitoring animals for signs of illness, injury, abnormal behavior, or other health concerns. They must promptly recognize and report changes in an animal’s condition and maintain a safe environment through routine inspection of animal enclosures and surrounding areas. These inspections help ensure that facilities remain secure, functional, properly maintained, and safe for both animals and staff.
Large Animal Attendants also assist with the implementation of the Hofmann Center’s herd health program. Duties may include administering vaccinations, deworming, coordinating or assisting with hoof trimming, and supporting other routine animal health-care activities under appropriate supervision.
In addition to animal care and facility responsibilities, Large Animal Attendants participate in instructional activities, including horse-handling, stallion-handling/semen-collection laboratories, and research projects. They assist with the preparation, setup, breakdown, and cleanup of teaching laboratories and provide support as needed during instructional activities.
Maintaining the cleanliness, appearance, and overall condition of the reproduction center and surrounding grounds is also an important responsibility. Duties include mowing, weed trimming, gardening, general cleanup, and other grounds-maintenance tasks as needed to ensure the facility remains clean, safe, and well maintained.
Job Responsibilities:
Provide daily feeding and care for Hofmann Center animals. Clean and maintain run-in sheds, stalls, and outdoor waterers to ensure a clean, sanitary, and safe environment. Regularly inspect animal enclosures, fencing, and facilities to ensure they are secure, functional, and safe for the animals. Conduct daily health and welfare checks of Hofmann Center animals, identifying signs of illness, injury, or other concerns and reporting issues as appropriate.
Provide daily feeding and care for client-owned animals, including cleaning and disinfecting stalls and feeding. Administer medications as directed for client-owned animals and turn out for exercise.
Safely handle stallions for semen collection and handle client-owned animals during reproductive and other veterinary procedures.
Assist with the implementation of the Hofmann Center herd health program, including vaccinations, deworming, hoof trimming, and other routine health-care activities.
Maintain the cleanliness, organization, and appearance of the reproduction center and surrounding grounds.
Perform routine grounds maintenance, including mowing, weed trimming, gardening, and other general outdoor maintenance duties.
Assist with and participate in instructional activities, including horse-handling and stallion-handling/semen-collection laboratories and research projects.
Assist with the preparation, setup, breakdown, and cleanup of teaching laboratories and related educational activities.
Qualifications
Large Animal Attendant B: High School Grad/GE Degree and 2 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Large Animal Attendant C: High School Grad/GE Degree and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Previous experience working with horses or other large animals in a professional, educational, agricultural, veterinary, or animal-care setting.
Demonstrated ability to safely handle, restrain, and care for large animals, including horses and stallions.
Ability to recognize signs of illness, injury, or changes in animal behavior and promptly report concerns to the appropriate personnel.
Ability to follow established animal-care, sanitation, medication, and safety protocols.
Ability to administer medications and assist with routine animal health-care procedures as directed.
Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records related to animal care and daily activities.
Ability to work independently as well as effectively as part of a team.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally with clients, students, faculty, staff, and other personnel.
Ability to safely perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting, carrying, bending, standing, walking, cleaning stalls and animal areas, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Ability and willingness
Your early-applicant advantage
Live timing from JobBeeper.
More openings worth a look
Recently tracked roles with full details and direct application links.