The Lab Animal Technician, under immediate supervision provides animal care, husbandry, and facility cleaning in an AAALAC accredited facility. Provides diligent and responsible animal care, feeds and waters animals, changes and cleans cages, sanitizes equipment and animal care facilities. In addition, records and/or reports animal abnormalities and environmental abnormalities.
May take on additional duties as assigned by supervisor or manager such as but not limited to, preparing supply orders, assisting animal users, and performing facility quality control.
Must be available for weekend and holiday work rotation; must be able to lift 50 pounds and work for extended periods of time in a facility maintained at approximately 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Must be able to use a ladder for brief periods of time for tasks above six feet but no more than eight feet high.
Education and Experience
- High school diploma or GED required, bachelor's degree preferred.
- Knowledge of animal facility, animal husbandry, and colony maintenance as would normally be acquired with a bachelor's degree in biology or animal sciences, a Veterinary Technician license, or 0-2 years of mouse room and/or freshwater aquarium experience.
- Other means of acquiring this knowledge will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- Some level of AALAS certification preferred
Skills and Knowledge
- Knowledge of laboratory animal regulations, procedures, husbandry, colony maintenance, and protocols for collection of biological samples for colony health testing.
- Operate equipment and use supplies according to safety guidelines; perform general housekeeping and adhere to safety procedures.
- -Must be available for weekend and holiday work rotation.
- Ability to read and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- -Written and oral communications skills sufficient to permit clear and effective exchange of information.
Responsibilities
- Provide diligent and responsible animal care, including feeding and watering animals and changing and cleaning tanks/cages.
- Record and/or report animal abnormalities including altered eating, drinking, waste elimination, altered behavior, superficial lesions, and/or death.
- Monitor, maintain, and perform quality control assessment on life support systems for fish colonies and vivarium equipment.
- Maintaining LAR facilities: sanitizing equipment and facilities, ordering supplies/inventory, and stocking supplies.
- Provide minor technical assistance to facility users.
Physical Requirements
Physical and Environmental Requirements:
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
- Ability to work for extended periods in an environment maintained at approximately 82°F
- Ability to safely use a ladder for brief periods to perform tasks at heights between 6 and 8 feet
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.