Job Description

Job Overview:

The Animal Care Technician II (ACT II) is a critical team member who builds on the foundational skills of ACT I while developing technical competencies and soft skills. This position involves advanced animal care tasks and basic technical responsibilities, with approximately 75-80% of duties focused on husbandry and the remainder on technical services. Reporting to the Animal Resources Manager, the ACT II is responsible for ensuring the health, welfare, and care of research animals, maintaining a clean and compliant environment, and assisting in technical procedures. This role requires reliability, adherence to SOPs and policies, and the ability to operate with little to no supervision.

As an ACT II, you demonstrate initiative, strong communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively while supporting the success of research goals. Your contributions are essential to the overall success of the research program and the well-being of the animals in your care.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The ACT II builds upon ACT I duties and includes the following:

Animal Husbandry:

• Daily care and welfare of research animals, including feeding, watering, and cage changes.
• Accurately monitor animal health and document observations.
• Maintain a clean and compliant vivarium environment.

Technical Competencies:

• Proficient in at least five technical tasks, including but not limited to:
• Body weights
• SC injection
• IP injection
• PO dosing
• Post-op care and scoring
• Accurately sex and wean litters while successfully utilizing software data systems.

Operational Excellence:

• Understand and follow detailed instructions; convey complex information effectively when necessary.
• Occasionally use independent judgment or initiative to resolve minor issues.
• Ensure all work adheres to established SOPs, policies, and biosecurity standards.

Team Collaboration:

• Act as a reliable team member, contributing to consistent care and operational support.
• Collaborate with colleagues to uphold research goals and maintain a supportive, cooperative work environment.

Key Competencies:

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to handle and care for animals humanely and ethically.
• Commitment to following SOPs, policies, and biosecurity standards.
• Passionate about animal welfare.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and tasks.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize shifting demands.
• Self-motivated, dependable, and capable of working with minimal supervision.

Qualifications:

• 1-2 years of experience in a laboratory animal facility or AALAS ALAT certification.
• Knowledge of routine animal procedures and strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated reliability and adherence to established protocols.

ACT I Duties:

• Follows existing SOPs and policy standards to monitor, observe, and record animal health and welfare daily, as well as complete various standard animal husbandry duties
• Perform routine animal husbandry (cage change, providing adequate food/water, and reporting health monitoring)
• Perform daily health checks and report conditions
• Observes and monitors animals for signs of illness, trauma or social instability.
• Prepare and submit records using digital colony maintenance software; including creating cage cards, receiving and/or creating animals, and reporting health assessments as needed.
• Follow room and/or facility entry order and biosafety procedures.
• Follow SOPs and safety protocols, including biohazard containment (BSL I & II).
• Maintains accurate daily records pertaining to animal care such as completing daily census sheets, filling out room logs, and reporting inventories count to management.
• Sanitize and decontaminate facility areas
• Dispose of waste following appropriate SOPs and waste streams.
• Receive, identify, and properly house incoming animal shipments according to SOPs.
• Maintain racks and equipment; assist with supply inventory.
• May perform basic health treatments under Manager or Veterinary direction.
• Humanely euthanize animals as requested or required.
• May assist in animal restraint and manipulation of various rodent species to include mice and rats.
• Understands and conveys simple messages and instructions verbally
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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