Hoffman Center Large Animal Attendant (Stallion Handler)

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

Job Profile Title

Job Description Summary

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 to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, or other non-traditional hours as required for animal care.
• Valid driver's license or ability to meet applicable institutional requirements, if required for the position.

Job Location - City, State

Department / School

Pay Range

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay