Lead Kennel Attendant

North Carolina State University•Raleigh, NC

66d

About The Position

The Lead Kennel Attendant plays a vital role in maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment for hospitalized patients within the Randall B. Terry, Jr. Companion Animal Medical Center. This position provides essential care and support to the General Hospital (GH), Intermediate Care (IMC), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and Emergency (ER) departments by ensuring proper disinfection, sanitation, and housing of animals under specialty-level veterinary care. In addition to performing daily cleaning and infection control duties, the Lead Kennel Assistant oversees, trains, and mentors kennel staff to ensure consistent, high-quality care and adherence to hospital standards. This position coordinates workflow, monitors supplies, supports infectious disease control protocols, and collaborates with veterinary staff to maintain smooth hospital operations. Additionally, this position requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds on a frequent basis with or without reasonable accommodation. Success in this role requires strong communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. The ideal candidate demonstrates professionalism, adaptability, and a commitment to teaching and maintaining the highest standards of patient care in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Requirements

Completion of an accredited training program in the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
Some positions may require additional Training, Certifications, or Licensure.

Nice To Haves

Ability to work with or around sick animals, potentially hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals, gas anesthetics, zoonotic diseases, and unpleasant odors.
Demonstrated leadership experience with responsibility for training, scheduling, and team coordination.
Working knowledge of infectious disease prevention, disinfection techniques, and safety compliance standards.
Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills with proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Competence with digital recordkeeping and basic computer systems used in clinical or hospital environments.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily operations and workflow of kennel assistants, including scheduling, training, and adherence to cleaning and infection control standards.
Ensure proper sanitation of all patient housing and clinical areas; manage disinfection of isolation and infectious disease zones in compliance with OSHA, EHS, and hospital protocols.
Maintain inventory of cleaning, bedding, food, and biohazard supplies; coordinate ordering and stocking with supervisors.
Monitor and document infection control procedures, including culture collection, reporting, and coordination with clinical staff on disease containment measures.
Support veterinary teams by assisting with basic patient care tasks such as restraint, feeding, walking, and pre/post-procedure cleanup.
Other duties as assigned.