Part Time Animal Care Taker - Comparative Medicine

Part‑Time Animal Caretaker – Hershey, PA

The Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Comparative Medicine, in Hershey, PA is seeking a part‑time animal caretaker.

Responsibilities include:

• Sanitize animal facility caging and equipment by the use of operating cage washing equipment.
• Maintain maintenance logs and daily temperature logs.
• Set up, operate and service cage washing machines and sterilizing equipment as needed.
• Load, unload and store food, bedding and other facility equipment.
• Check cages and other equipment for needed repair. Clean and repair equipment for daily service such as cage washers, autoclaves, bottle filling stations, and bedding dispensers.
• Assemble caging supplies with properly sterilized feed, bedding and water (acidified or autoclaved) in a manner that assures that they remain sterile throughout the handling process.
• Follow standardized procedures; assure that animal waste is disposed of properly.
• Provide animal related equipment to personnel to ensure appropriate schedules are maintained.
• Maintain various records of supplies used for the purpose of cleaning, sanitizing, repairing and or dispensing of waste materials.
• Comply with animal facility and Penn State Hershey medical center policies and standard operating procedures.
• Maintain cage wash rooms, animal rooms and facility hallways in a clean state.
• Operate battery powered cart and/or University motor vehicle (box truck/pickup truck) as necessary.
• Comply with animal facility and Penn State College of Medicine policies and standard operating procedures.
• Attend meeting and training sessions on all aspects of laboratory animal care and uses of animals in biomedical research as assigned by the management staff.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
• Work with a variety of animals, including handling, restraint, feeding, watering and the general husbandry of the animals.
• Change cages or pens following aseptic and conventional technician and assure animals are not contaminated when outside of their primary enclosure.
• Will perform duties within various animal biosafety levels. Will follow posting pre‑cautions and wear provided PPE.
• Record critical facility data on a daily basis which is required by local, state and federal regulatory agencies.

This is an entry‑level position; some experience in cleaning or care and handling of animals is preferred. The position requires knowledge and ability to learn to use various technical animal care equipment, including cage washers, autoclaves, class II biosafety cabinets, ventilated cage rack systems, and micro isolator cages.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. regularly and stand for long periods.
• Proficient verbal and written English and basic mathematics skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; customer‑focused attitude.
• Compliance with animal facility policies, safety protocols, and use of PPE.

Part‑time: up to 20 hours per week.

Clearances required:

• Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Background Check

Penn State is an equal‑opportunity, affirmative action employer. Employment opportunities are provided to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814‑865‑1473.

We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.