Animal Care Technician Jobs in Virginia
Animal Care Technician jobs in Virginia are consistently active, with steady demand across veterinary clinics, research institutions, animal shelters, and zoological facilities serving both the dense Northern Virginia corridor and the Hampton Roads region. Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Virginia Beach are the state's strongest hiring metros, where established employers like the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Smithsonian's National Zoo, and PetVet Care Centers maintain ongoing staffing needs. Lab animal care, veterinary assisting, and shelter medicine support are the most in-demand specialties across Virginia postings. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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The University of Virginia Office of the Vice President for Research is seeking a highly organized and customer-focused professional to serve as an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Coordinator. The IACUC supports the ethical and regulatory oversight of vertebrate animals used in University research, teaching, and testing as part of UVA's Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP).
Reporting to the IACUC Director, the IACUC Coordinator provides administrative and operational support for committee activities, protocol administration, records management, office communications, semiannual inspections and program reviews, purchasing, and other ACUP functions. The Coordinator serves as an initial resource for investigators, research staff, committee members, and institutional partners regarding submission processes, committee procedures, deadlines, and office operations.
This position is well suited for an individual who enjoys coordinating detailed processes, managing multiple priorities, and working collaboratively with faculty, researchers, veterinarians, committee members, and compliance professionals. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent organization, attention to detail, responsive communication, sound judgment, and a commitment to exceptional service. Training in IACUC requirements, institutional procedures, and specialized systems will be provided.
This position will be hired at either a level 1 or level 2, depending on qualifications.
Key Responsibilities:
Meeting Coordination and Committee Support
Coordinates IACUC meetings and related committee activities, including meeting logistics, preparation and distribution of materials, attendance and quorum support, documentation of proceedings, and follow-up communication. Provides administrative support for committee training, educational programs, outreach, and other Animal Care and Use Program activities.
Records Management and Office Administration
Maintains accurate, complete, secure, and readily retrievable IACUC records and administrative documentation in accordance with institutional policies and applicable regulatory requirements. Supports database administration, document control, records reconciliation, confidentiality, and preparation for audits, inspections, accreditation activities, and regulatory reviews. Manages Shared IACUC Inbox and provides timely response and direction to appropriate personnel as needed.
Semiannual Program Review and Inspection Support
Provides administrative and logistical support for semiannual facility inspections and program reviews, including scheduling, preparation of materials, documentation, communication, and tracking of follow-up activities. Assists with preparations for accreditation reviews, regulatory visits, and other assessments of the Animal Care and Use Program.
Protocol Submission Processing and Regulatory Support
Supports the administrative processing and tracking of protocol submissions from initial receipt through approval and post-review communication. Assists investigators with submission procedures and electronic systems, coordinates routine communications among review partners, and maintains accurate and timely protocol records, notifications, and correspondence.
Purchasing and Administrative Operations
Coordinates routine purchasing and related administrative transactions in accordance with University policies and procedures. Maintains operational resources and financial documentation and supports travel, meeting expenses, reimbursements, office procedures, forms, templates, and other administrative needs.
Special Projects and Other Duties
Supports departmental initiatives, special projects, process improvements, and development of office procedures and resources. Cross-trains in essential IACUC Office functions to promote continuity of operations and performs additional responsibilities as assigned by the IACUC Director.
The ideal candidate will have the following skills and abilities:
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and recurring deadlines.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, complete, and timely work.
- Clear, professional, and customer-focused written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to follow established procedures, recognize questions requiring escalation, and use sound judgment when resolving routine issues.
- Ability to work independently on assigned responsibilities and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Ability to interact professionally and diplomatically with faculty, researchers, students, veterinarians, committee members, and administrative partners.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn specialized protocol, records, purchasing, and workflow systems.
Minimum Qualifications for Level 1
Education: High school diploma
Experience: At least two years of relevant experience. Any combination of equivalent education and experience may be considered.
Minimum Qualifications for Level 2
Education: Bachelor's degree. 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Experience: At least two years of relevant experience.
Relevant experience includes:
- Experience providing administrative, operational, customer service, or program support in a professional environment.
- Experience coordinating meetings, schedules, records, communications, or multi-step workflows.
- Experience managing detailed information accurately and completing work within established deadlines.
- Experience using standard office productivity applications, shared email accounts, databases, or electronic workflow systems.
- Experience communicating professionally with customers, colleagues, or stakeholders in writing and verbally.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in higher education, research administration, regulatory compliance, healthcare, veterinary services, or a related environment.
- Experience supporting a committee or formal review process, including preparation of agendas, meeting materials, minutes, or correspondence.
- Experience maintaining official records or preparing documentation for audit, inspection, accreditation, or quality review.
- Familiarity with animal research programs, IACUC operations, or electronic research administration systems.
- Experience with University purchasing, travel, reimbursement, or financial systems.
Physical Demands
This is primarily a sedentary position involving extensive computer use. The role may require travel across University locations to attend meetings, training, inspections, program reviews, or other ACUP activities.
The hiring range for level 1 is $46,000–$57,000 and the hiring range for level 2 is $57,000–$69,000, commensurate with education and experience.
This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.
This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability.
This position has a term limit of 2 years with possibility of renewal dependent on department need and funding.
This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and is eligible for a hybrid schedule, in accordance with UVA’s remote work guidelines.
To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.
Application review will begin after August 15, 2026.
Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.
How to Apply
Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0086117. Complete an application with the following documents:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.
Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.
Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.
For questions about the application process, please contact Jessica Russo, Senior Recruiter, sxv9zv@virginia.edu.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
See All 7 Animal Care Technician Jobs in Virginia
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Find Animal Care Technician JobsAnimal Care Technician Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Animal Care Technician Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in animal care technician jobs across Virginia.
- AALAS certification at ALAT, LAT, or LATG level preferred or required by employers
- Experience handling and restraining multiple animal species safely in clinical or lab settings
- High school diploma or GED with relevant coursework in animal science or biology
- Familiarity with cage sanitation protocols, feeding schedules, and environmental enrichment
- Ability to maintain accurate records in electronic animal management or veterinary software
- Physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods during shifts
Animal Care Technician Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become an animal care technician in Virginia?
Virginia does not require a state-issued license specifically for animal care technicians, but most employers expect or strongly prefer certification through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, known as AALAS. The entry-level credential is the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician designation. Candidates typically need a high school diploma, hands-on animal handling experience, and to pass the AALAS certification exam. Research institutions and universities in Virginia are the most common path into the field.
Which companies hire animal care technicians in Virginia?
Companies currently hiring animal care technicians in Virginia include ShotVet, Virginia Tech, and Encore Vet, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal research facilities, university veterinary programs, and multi-location veterinary clinic groups keeps hiring relatively consistent throughout the year.
Which Virginia cities have the most animal care technician jobs?
Culpeper, Lynchburg, and Blacksburg have the most animal care technician openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia and the Washington D.C. corridor drive volume through federal research contractors and large biomedical institutions, while Richmond's university presence and Virginia Beach's robust veterinary clinic market account for strong demand outside the D.C. suburbs.
Are there remote animal care technician jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're rare. Animal care technician work is fundamentally hands-on, requiring direct contact with animals in clinics, labs, or shelters, so the role does not translate well to remote arrangements. About 50% of animal care technician openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those postings are almost exclusively in training coordination, animal welfare consulting, or administrative support roles adjacent to direct care.
How can I get hired as an animal care technician in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is volunteering or working part-time at a Virginia animal shelter or humane society, such as the Richmond SPCA or the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, before applying to clinic or lab roles. Large research universities like Virginia Tech and George Mason University occasionally offer entry-level animal care aide positions that provide supervised experience. Completing the AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician exam, even before your first full-time role, signals seriousness to Virginia hiring managers and meaningfully improves your chances.
Where can I find and apply to animal care technician jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to animal care technician jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the roles that fit your experience level and location, and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 7 Animal Care Technician Jobs in Virginia
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