Animal Care Technician Assistant

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Position Title: Animal Care Technician

Position Control Number: FW1390

Type of Position: Part-time

Department: 1308-Department of Animal Care

Campus: Western University Campus-Pomona, CA

Position Location: California

The employee reports to the Director of the Office of Animal Resources. Under minimal supervision, he/she will provide skilled care and handling of laboratory animals in a safe and sanitary manner. Primary working areas include standard housing areas as well as specialized areas including USDA housing areas, bio-hazardous areas, and animal colonies requiring specialized procedures. Also responsible for limited supervisory duties including direction and oversight of work but excluding discipline. Employee will ensure that the facilities and personnel are in compliance with standards set forth by NIH and USDA as well as the IACUC and Institutional SOP.

Individuals must possess the knowledge, as well as the following skills and abilities or be able to perform the essential functions of the job after a reasonable amount of training, with or without reasonable accommodation. Must be able to work with various types of animals; must disclose any known and existing animal allergies or other medical conditions that would preclude the individual from discharging her/his responsibilities; individuals must be in good physical condition since the position requires regular physical activity such as standing, walking, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting.

Must ensure that their facility complies with all animal welfare guidelines and standards set forth by the Animal Welfare Act, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC), and the National Institute of Health’s Guide for the Use and Care of Laboratory Animals. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Facilities are subject to inspections to ensure the maintenance of proper conditions.

1. High school diploma required.
2. Suitable written and verbal communication skills in English are required.
3. College coursework in Animal Science or biological sciences preferred or working towards a scientific degree.
4. Certification recommended: Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT), Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT), and Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG).
5. Must be eligible to work in the United States.
6. Must be able to pass a drug screening.
7. Good knowledge of MS Office (Computer literate).

1. This individual serves as an essential part of the University’s animal research program by having primary, daily contact with the research animal subjects and continuing responsibility for them.
2. Has direct access to contact respective principal investigators in case of any animal health emergencies.
3. Maintain database records and log animal husbandry; monitor and log animal health daily (Under Senior and Level II Animal Care Technicians supervision).
4. Monitors, and logs animal health daily (Under Senior and Level II Animal Care Technicians supervision).
5. Assists principal investigators with any special animal care needs in accordance with protocols, experiments, and projects.
6. Keeps facilities clean and sanitary.
7. Has a primary role as an animal facilities site supervisor on weekends and holidays, assisting the animal care manager on all weekdays.
8. Serves in a security capacity for the animal facilities during working hours.
9. Makes decisions as to the treatment of sick animals in accord with each principal investigator and the campus veterinarian.
10. Quality assurance for all vivarium’s equipment: autoclaves, cage washing, etc., recording the results.
11. Follow SOPs for the vivarium.
12. Monitoring the vivarium sentinels.
13. Receive, inspect, and put away incoming animals.
14. Assist with surgeries when needed.
15. Taking inventory of supplies.
16. Organize feed and bedding supplies in storage facilities.
17. Observant: Accurately assessing the habits, behavior, and physical appearance of an animal is important to obtaining accurate research findings.
18. Cleans & sterilizes cages, equipment, supplies, and rooms.
19. Under minimal direction, performs caretaking duties involving specialized handling, feeding & general care of animals.

1. Part time; 20 hours per week.
2. Weekend and holiday shifts expected.
3. Due to the nature of the industry, employees may be required to work varying schedules to meet the needs of the department.
4. Overtime may be required.
5. Reliable transportation, attendance, and punctuality are necessary.

Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? Yes

1. Ability to stand, bend, or kneel for 8 or more hours.
2. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the day.
3. Must be able to work in a Lab setting with exposure to animals/biohazards/chemicals.
4. Possess a wide range of motion in your back for twisting etc.
5. Ability to work in potentially extreme environmental temperatures.
6. Possess excellent balance, hand-eye coordination.
7. Must have good vision, including peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception, and ability to focus.

The work environment is indoors. Noise levels are minimal but are dependent on the animals. May be exposed to bedding, where dust, hay, and other allergens exist. Work in a Lab setting with exposure to animals/biohazards/chemicals.

Posting Number: FWS00404

Posting Date: 02/15/2024

Close Date: Open Until Filled

• Resume
• Letter of Recommendation #1
• Letter of Recommendation #2
• Letter of Recommendation #3

• Cover Letter
• Additional Applicant Document

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