Animal Caretaker (BPRP-Containment)

Please note that this position is contingent upon the successful award of a contract currently under bid.

Goldbelt Apex, a part of the Healthcare Technology Transformation Group, is a data-focused company dedicated to process and quality in every aspect. As experts in healthcare IT experts, Apex is committed to building systems for healthcare organizations to seamlessly communicate and exchange data across different systems and devices. 

Summary:

The Animal Caretaker (BPRP-Containment) shall serve as an Animal Caretaker providing animal husbandry support in Quarantine, Barrier, ABSL-2, ABSL-3 and ABSL-4 animal care and use areas. The Animal Caretaker shall independently select and apply appropriate procedures for the supported tasks. The Animal Caretaker shall assist in providing non-routine care, supporting changes in procedure, addressing problems, etc.

Work requires continuous standing and walking on concrete or hard surfaced floors, climbing, working in a bent position and carrying materials up to 50 pounds. Greater strength, effort and agility are required in the handling, capturing, and restraining of the stronger, more active animals. Work, as performed, exposes incumbent to unpleasant odors and noises and may require contact with unpredictable, ill-natured, stronger animals which pose greater risks of injury, bites, scratches, etc. There is a hazard of burns from autoclaves and ultra-violet lights and skin irritations from cleaning and decontaminating solutions. The incumbent must wear protective clothing or equipment (PPE) such as BSL-4 positive pressure suits, positive air pressure respirators, or other personal protective equipment, for prolonged periods. Incumbent may work prolonged periods in auditory and physical isolation in a completely isolated containment suite which possesses risks to infection by highly infectious agents. Some of these agents can cause fatal diseases in humans if personnel become infected.

*Containment involves adhering to specific procedures and requirements designed to manage and protect sensitive information and materials in this role.

Essential Job Functions:

• Shall assist or independently perform Glassware/Cagewash Support (Non-containment).
• Assist or independently perform All Animal Caretaker (Non-containment) Tasks.
• Shall promptly report illness or injury, new prescription medications, changes in current medications, any changes in health status or foreign travel to Certifying Official (CO) and the CMA. If absent for three (3) or more workdays due to a medical condition, Contract Employee shall get evaluated and cleared by the CMA upon returning to duty.
• Provide routine care, feeding, and monitoring of laboratory animals.
• Maintain clean and enriched living environments.
• Observe and report signs of illness or distress in animals.
• Enroll in and meet the Biological Personnel Reliability Program (BPRP) and Select Agent requirements IAW Army Regulation 190-17. Shall initiate all administrative requirement for enrollment into BPRP within one (1) month of start date. Shall complete all BPRP requirements for unsupervised access to ABSL-3 and ABSL-4 within twelve (12) months of start date unless extended by the TPOC and COR after review of each individual request.

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Apply practical knowledge and technical expertise to resolve problems independently and in cooperation with other personnel.
• Shall work in Microsoft Word, SharePoint, MS Teams, Excel, Outlook and other software systems as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BPRP enrollment is required and will be held and maintained IAW the provisions in this contract and all applicable regulations.
• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification or higher, as defined by the American Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences (AALAS), is required prior to or within eighteen (18) months of hire.
• At least two (2) years’ animal husbandry experience in support of NHPs in a research setting is required.
• Employee shall serve as an Animal Caretaker providing animal husbandry support in Quarantine, Barrier, ABSL-2, ABSL-3 and ABSL-4 animal care and use areas.
• Must be able to lift to 50 lbs.
• US Citizenship Required
• Variable work hours, to include 24/7 coverage, evenings/nights, weekends, Government holidays, and during unforeseen closures or circumstances shall apply, as requested to meet mission requirements.
• Must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a favorably adjudicated Secret security clearance eligibility, with no access to classified. *NACLC/ANACI is acceptable if completed within 5 years prior to enrollment.
• Ability to successfully pass a drug test.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with rodents, swine, rabbits, and ferrets in a research setting is highly desirable.
• Experience in GLP is desirable.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.00 to $30.00 hourly.

At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.