Animal Care Technician I

The Animal Care Technician I provides basic care of animals and animal facilities by completing primarily simple and routine animal caretaking and cage wash duties as directed by Operations Manager or their designee, which may occur up to 50% of the time of overall job duties and responsibilities.  All actions are completed by strictly and consistently following applicable ACS SOPs including safety procedures and policies. Reports any suspected or actual deviations to SOPs or non-routine situations immediately to Operations Manager or their designee.

• Responsible for carrying out the Animal Resource Center (ARC) directives and SOPs as governed by the Animal Welfare Act and all applicable rules, regulations, and professional standards.
• Provides basic care of animals and animal facilities by completing primarily simple and routine animal caretaking and cage wash duties as directed by Operations Manager or their designee.
• All actions are completed by strictly and consistently following applicable ARC SOPs including IACUC and EHS safety procedures and policies.
• Reports any suspected or actual deviations to SOPs or non-routine situations immediately to Operations Manager or their designee.
• When performing husbandry duties, will change cages and racks as scheduled, observes and reports animals for signs of illness, injury, and physical or behavioral changes.
• Under supervision, performs euthanasia of rodents using carbon dioxide with approved alternate secondary method. 
• Observes, documents, and reports changes in environmental parameters outside acceptable ranges,  temperature, humidity, lighting, etc. 
• Restrains and handles animals for treatment. Sanitizes equipment and animal holding facilities.  
• Ensures housing and environmental compliance with the "NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Maintains supply stock in all assigned rooms for daily use of investigative staff.
• When working in cage wash section will operate washers, autoclaves, water bottle fill stations, and perform preventative maintenance tasks (i.e. jets are cleaned, and sump tanks emptied daily) outlined in cage wash maintenance sheet on main area door. 
• Will perform routine start-up and shut down procedures of equipment as outlined in SOP’s. Ensure equipment being processed is in optimal condition and removed from circulation if damaged or worn. 
• Perform scheduled quality control tests of equipment and submit samples (biological indicators, water sample etc.)  to Operational Manager. 
• Will assist in receiving and rotating feed and supplies.
• Transports caging supplies between animal rooms and cage washrooms. 
• Will sanitize cage washing rooms and other support areas, such as hallways and storage rooms.  
• Performs routine duties associated with cage sanitation and preparation for reuse in a research setting including cage maintenance, monitoring equipment for proper functioning, and maintaining sanitary conditions.
• Disassembling and emptying dirty cages and load cage components into cage wash machines.
• Operates washers and ensures that cage washing, and related equipment are in proper working order by cleaning, and preventive maintenance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Commensurate with experience.  

High school diploma or equivalent.

Prefer HS degree or higher with at least 1 years’ experience with research animal care at a research institution or other appropriate environment and one year of relevant experience; or certification as Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. 

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume. 

Please provide names and email addresses of three to five references as part of the application process. When ready, the hiring department will contact the listed references via email requesting their reference letters to be uploaded directly to the application website.

This position is eligible for veteran’s preference. If you are claiming veteran’s preference, please upload a copy of your DD 214 Member Copy 4 with your application for consideration. See the Qualified Positions link on our applicant FAQs page for a list of eligible positions.

This position is open until filled. Application review will begin May 9, 2024.