Senior Laboratory Animal Caretaker

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Senior Laboratory Animal Caretaker

Salary Grade 8: $39,500 - $46,947.00

Full-Time Position

The Research for Mental Hygiene, Inc. is seeking to hire one (1) qualified candidate to fill the full time position of Senior Laboratory Animal Caretaker position. This position will work within the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities working in the Laboratory Animal Resources Team. The Office of People with Developmental Disabilities is a basic science research institution that studies rodent models of diseases related to aging, brain trauma and autism. We are seeking to hire a new member of the Laboratory Animal Resources Team. This part-time position will provide high quality animal care to our animal partners and maintain the facilities to ensure continual compliance with all applicable animal welfare standards.

We are seeking a candidate who is self-motivated to work in a team environment. If you are a candidate who is well-organized with excellent attention-to-detail which allows you to support the team's work by jumping in with an "I can help with that" attitude this is a position you can excel at. If you are eager to contribute to our translational research mission, please apply.

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Maintain the highest standards of animal welfare and biosecurity.

• Maintain our animal colony by performing routine husbandry, cage changing, feeding and watering, providing environmental enrichment.
• Conduct animal health observations, basic health treatments, and animal receiving.
• Perform cleaning and sanitation duties as assigned.

• Fill out important laboratory records, such as daily animal health check logs, room temperature/humidity readings etc.
• Contribute to facility upkeep, performing cleaning and decontamination of animal holding and procedure rooms with excellent quality and rigor.
• Perform vivarium-based initiatives independently and effectively communicate with other team members.
• Learn to provide assistance with vivo experiments by performing basic bio methodology (handling, restraint, body weight collection, behavioral assessments, weaning, and environmental enrichment) to contribute to ongoing scientific research.
• Follow all safety requirements and procedures including wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if required.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holiday based on needs of the worksite.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or High School Equivalency.
• Minimum 3 months of hands-on experience working with research animals, zoo animals, pet store animals, in a veterinary clinic or in an animal shelter.
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs without assistance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 6 months of service as a laboratory animal caretaker working with rodents in another institution or one year of experience at a zoo, animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or pet store working with any animals in caretaker/zookeeper/veterinary assistant capacity.
• Minimum of 3 months of hands-on experience working with research animals, zoo animals, pet store animals, in a veterinary clinic or an animal shelter.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH and SAFETY:

• The selected candidate is expected to participate in medical monitoring and surveillance program is required. Immunization for Tetanus will be required (and provided, if needed).
• This position will expose the candidate to animal wastes, bedding dust, animal allergens and potentially unpleasant odors.
• This position will expose you to hazardous chemicals such as alcohols, bleach, cage wash, detergents and acids, and other disinfectants.
• Safety training and protective clothing, equipment, and supplies will be provided to the employee.

Location: 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY 10314

To Apply: Submit a resume and cover letter on our website at: https://ibr.applicantpro.com/jobs/. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

The Mission of the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH) is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. RFMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, RFMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring that RFMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. RFMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

The Research Foundation is a private not-for-profit corporation and is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. Excellent Benefits Package. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer - Disabled/Veteran, 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) compliant.