Animal Technician

Job Summary

This individual will perform daily laboratory animal care duties including animal health monitoring, animal husbandry, and routing cleaning and sanitation. All work assignments will be performed in accordance with SOP’s and protocol instructions. Must maintain and demonstrate positive working relationships with co‑workers, customers, be able to work independently to perform tasks, and have regular attendance.

• Performs animal husbandry duties to maintain quality and health of research animals, including daily feed, water, enrichment, and cage or room cleaning as required.
• Maintains focus on animal welfare, reporting all concerns to management and/or others as required.
• Ensures animal welfare guidelines are met and that building and equipment are maintained accordingly for internal IACUC inspections and maintenance of AAALAC accreditation.
• Conducts all euthanasia as trained according to AVMA guidelines and completes all associated documentation.
• Cleans assigned animal rooms, isolator environments, animal care equipment, and associated animal facility areas daily.
• Ensures facility areas are maintained and kept clean and orderly daily.
• Assists in maintaining and stocking inventory and communicates when items are needed to be ordered.
• Exhibits excellent record‑keeping skills.
• Assists with handling and manipulations as per SOP’s and protocols.
• Operates equipment and uses supplies according to safety guidelines, performs general housekeeping, and adheres to safety procedures.
• Observes equipment and reports any failures.
• Maintains required attendance level and adheres to work schedule in accordance with required staffing levels to ensure that assigned duties are completed. Weekend and holiday coverage is required on a rotation basis. May be asked to work extended hours occasionally due to workload – overtime eligible. Promptness to work and attendance are a must.
• Takes the initiative to complete tasks and anticipates upcoming tasks.
• Realizes the importance of non‑contamination processes and adheres strictly to the procedures.
• Is conscientious, detail‑oriented, self‑motivated, and able to work alone.
• Maintains good working relationships with others.
• Exhibits excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

• Education – AA degree required.
• Experience – Lab animal or agricultural experience desired.

• Ability to lift 50 lbs, roll heavy objects, use ladders, and work in conditions up to 90 degrees or down to freezing temperatures.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Must be able to squat, bend, stoop, twist, and turn.
• Manual dexterity and visual acuity are important.
• Subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise.
• Not allowed to own poultry or swine.
• Multiple showers a day may be required for biocontainment; showering includes washing of hair.
• Hair must be completely covered with a hairnet for biocontainment purposes.
• Nails must be short to perform fine motor tasks and avoid risk of injury to oneself, colleagues, or animals.
• Work requires use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including Tyvek suits, hairnets, respirator or PAPR, gloves, safety glasses, provided uniforms, and shoes.
• Personal phones and all forms of jewelry are not allowed in the vivarium.