Senior Animal Technician

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting wage rate is $16.97 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

The Senior Animal Technician is a member of the Animal Resource Center animal care team. The senior animal senior animal technician is responsible for the day-to-day care of research animals according to established protocols and in compliance with applicable regulations. This position will maintain the health and well-being of research animals and monitor animals to identify health-related problems, dietary needs, overcrowding and cage conditions.

During the weekends the senior animal technician serves in a supervisory role assigning technicians work assignments and following up to ensure animals are observed and cared for every day. The senior animal technician is responsible for identifying and documenting conditions that adversely affect the health of the animals. This documentation provides researchers and veterinary personnel with critical information to ensure that research progresses without interruptions caused by disease, damaged equipment and overcrowded conditions.

The senior animal technician also has the primary responsibility of administering special diets, assuring animals have adequate water and food and administering any other special needs.

• Feed and water animals, change cage bedding, change animals from dirty to clean cages and disinfect animal quarters. Observe animals during this process and note and report anything unusual that may indicate problems with the animals such as health related problems, housing/caging, overcrowded conditions, food or water problems. (22%)
• Inspect animals in assigned area daily and reports abnormalities to animal husbandry manager, team leader and/or veterinary staff. (10%)
• Use a handheld or stationary tablet device to perform animal health observations, animal inventory and daily checklist in a data software application. (10%)
• Perform routine housekeeping duties to maintain animal rooms. Clean and keep areas neat and free of clutter per United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) guides (counters, sinks, carts, etc.). (8%)
• Remove dead animals from cages, tag and label with identifying data, prepare death certificates, and place in post‑mortem refrigerator and notify responsible veterinarian. (6%)
• Assist research investigators and attending veterinarians in handling, manipulation and treatment of animals within the Animal Resource Center. Following specific instructions, administer medication or experimental materials to animals. (6%)
• Maintain compliance with center policies and all applicable regulations for animal research care and attend training as required. (6%)
• Wear necessary personal protective clothing and equipment per policy; take additional precautions when assigned to special areas housing animals; e.g., in microisolators, laminar flow hoods, those under quarantine or animals used for radioisotope, carcinogen or other biohazard research. Observe special precautions for handling and the disposal of contaminated material per established protocols. (6%)
• Perform higher level husbandry tasks, including daily analysis of the husbandry operations. Daily feedback to the ARC manager, and oversight during weekend rotations. (6%)
• During the weekends, oversee activities of entry level and midlevel husbandry technicians, reassign work when needed, and assist technicians with problems. (6%)

• Uncrate newly arrived animals and place them in cages and label appropriately, taking care to record all necessary information and ensure that animals are properly housed. (4%)
• Postmortem room maintenance and euthanasia. Observe all animals in postmortem and make sure all cages have feed and water. Euthanize rodent cages using CO₂. Thoroughly clean table, floors and counters. (3%)
• Food preparation. Set up the hood using Micro-isolator technique, transfer the food pellets from the standard food bags into sterile container. Label the container with prepared food labels. (3%)
• Wash cages as needed, receive and store bedding materials and food supplies. (2%)
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned by animal husbandry manager, operations manager, and/or team leaders. (2%)

Department:
Daily contact with other employees to assist with daily job assignments. Daily contact with supervisor regarding ongoing activities and standard operating procedural issues.

University:
Daily contact with investigative staff regarding daily investigative needs, special animal care…