Instructional Specialist, Large Animal Focus (Oro Valley, AZ)

The University of Arizona • Tucson, AZ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking an Instructional Specialist with large animal medicine, husbandry, and safe animal-handling experience to support clinical education and instructional programs. The role provides hands-on patient care, technical expertise, data entry and record keeping, and instructional support for large animal ambulatory rotations, clinical skills laboratories, and field-based veterinary training. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional large animal handling and restraint skills, careful documentation, and a commitment to teaching and mentoring veterinary students. The position involves outdoor and ambulatory work, physically demanding tasks, varying weather conditions, and some early morning schedules, with the ability to start at 4:30–5:30 a.m. on some mornings. Visa sponsorship is not available.

The role supports faculty and students in clinical procedures and learning activities involving equine, bovine, and small ruminant patients. It also contributes to curriculum delivery and improvement, coordination of educational operations and off-site activities, and management of supplies, equipment, vehicles, and teaching resources.

Requirements

• High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience, including 1 year of large animal handling experience (equine, bovine, and/or small ruminants), or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Knowledge and skill in large animal medicine.
• Skill in handling and treating large animal species, including horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and/or pigs.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to adhere to protocols.
• Ability to proactively anticipate the needs of faculty and students.
• Self-motivation.
• Ability to lift, move, and transport items required for the position.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and in extreme heat, including temperatures exceeding 100°F for more than one hour.
• Ability to work in elevated noise levels and around potential workplace hazards, including moving mechanical parts, vehicles, electrical currents, elevated work areas, and chemicals.
• Ability to work in environments with potential exposure to fumes, odors, dust, mists, gases, or limited ventilation.
• Ability to begin work at 4:30–5:30 a.m. on some mornings.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) certification or equivalent.
• Experience teaching or working in a teaching environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist faculty with large animal ambulatory rotations, clinical skills laboratories, and other educational programs.
• Support faculty and students with animal handling and restraint, physical examinations, sample collection, catheter placement, medication administration, and veterinary nursing procedures.
• Mentor veterinary students in safe large animal handling techniques and clinical procedures.
• Demonstrate best practices in biosecurity, animal welfare, patient safety, and professional conduct.
• Provide teaching support in classroom, laboratory, simulation, and field-based learning environments.
• Assist with development, implementation, and improvement of educational activities, training exercises, and instructional resources.
• Support faculty in preparing and delivering curriculum-based learning experiences.
• Provide technical support during ambulatory visits involving equine, bovine, and small ruminant patients.
• Assist with diagnostics, treatments, preventive medicine programs, herd health management, and field procedures.
• Support patient restraint, treatment administration, sample collection, and clinical documentation.
• Assist with herd health and population medicine activities.
• Maintain accurate medical records, treatment logs, and educational documentation.
• Ensure compliance with safety, biosecurity, and animal welfare standards.
• Serve as a resource for students and faculty regarding large animal clinical procedures and patient care.
• Support scheduling, logistics, and preparation for ambulatory rotations, clinical laboratories, and field-based educational experiences.
• Coordinate transportation of students, equipment, supplies, and teaching materials to off-site locations.
• Collaborate with faculty, administrators, producers, shelters, and community partners to support clinical teaching activities.
• Assist with curriculum implementation, educational program coordination, and student learning activities.
• Organize and maintain instructional materials, laboratory resources, and educational records.
• Participate in curriculum planning and educational improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate workshops, training activities, and special educational programs.
• Maintain inventories of ambulatory supplies, pharmaceuticals, equipment, teaching resources, and vehicles.
• Organize and prepare field kits, laboratory materials, simulation equipment, and instructional resources.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance, inventory replenishment, and purchasing requests.
• Assist with vehicle inspections and operational readiness.
• Keep laboratory, storage, and teaching areas organized, stocked, and prepared for instructional activities.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Life insurance and disability programs.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Tuition reduction at U of A, ASU, and NAU for the employee and qualified family members.
• Retirement plans.
• Access to University of Arizona recreation and cultural activities.
• Work-life programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED