Animal Care Taker

• Job Title: Scientist - Animal Care Taker
• Location: Cambridge, MA 02139
• Duration: 18+ months with possibility of extension

Job Summary

This position is responsible for supporting NIBR-Cambridge discovery research through providing high quality animal care and husbandry, facility maintenance and ensuring compliance with regulations within a multi-building, multi-species AAALACi accredited research program.

This position requires strong attention to detail and the ability to communicate openly, be motivated and work independently as well as work successfully within and across teams.

This position requires weekend work.

Major responsibilities :

• Primarily responsible for daily husbandry to animals (small rodents), clinical observations, maintenance of the animal facilities (sanitation of animal and procedure rooms, equipment)

•Strictly follows all procedures necessary to maintain animal housing areas or semi-rigid isolator environments, including room or facility personnel entry; personnel protective equipment use, spraying in all equipment and materials into controlled areas.

•Assists with receipt of incoming animals and relocations and putting incoming animals away.

•Operates equipment and uses supplies according to safety guidelines and adheres to safety procedures.

•Often responsible for ensuring compliance with all institutional and regulatory protocols, policies, and guidelines as well as reviewing and comprehending SOPs.

• Other duties and responsibilities as may be required.

Key performance indicators :

• Provide consistent and high quality on-site animal care and vivarium support

• Effectively gain certification and proficiency on all applicable operational skills as required

• Team oriented and interactive. Foster peer/team development and performance

• Strong attention to completion of tasks in an efficient/consistent manner and strong communication

• Continuously support Vivarium Operations Management in maintaining compliance with all internal and external regulatory agencies in accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

• Execute detail-specific operational support

Education: • GED or High School degree required, 4-year Science degree, or a combination of experience with higher education preferred

• ALAT Certification desirable or pursued after start

• Working knowledge of federal, state, local (Animal Welfare) laws and departmental SOPs

• Thorough understanding and comprehension of operational standards, processes, equipment, etc. as they relate to operational responsibilities

Languages: • English

Experience • Some related experience in animal husbandry working with animals or performing animal husbandry in a research setting or animal environment setting.

Qualified candidates will have a strong commitment to providing quality research support, be dedicated to providing consistent, humane animal care in accordance with Laboratory Animal Care regulations/standards.

Candidates must be reliable, independent, work well in a dynamic, fast-paced team environment and have well developed interpersonal & communication skills. Must be able to maintain positive work environment by behaving and communicating in a professional manner with coworkers, collaborating partners and peers.

Ability to read, write, speak and understand high school level English. Computer literacy using timekeeping, training software and programs and word processing is required.

Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and move heavy objects. Must be able work from a standing position for prolonged time periods and perform repetitive motion tasks. Required to work weekends, holidays and during inclement weather.

• Characteristics

o Strong commitment to providing humane, consistent, and high quality daily care to research animals

o Strong interpersonal skills (transparency, professionalism, communication)

o Strong sense of personal accountability, reliability and integrity

o Team-oriented and interactive. Fosters peer/team development and performance.

o Organized, effective time management, detail-oriented, thorough and consistent

o Ability to independently identify and resolve standard vivarium operational issues/challenges

o Self-starter requiring no daily oversight

o Open to supporting transitional operations and schedule changes

o Committed to professional development and continuous learning

• Knowledge

o Thorough knowledge of animal care expectations/responsibilities

o Knowledge of facility operational parameters and standards

o Recognition of typical/atypical animal health and behaviors

o Effective time management/prioritization for operational expectations/responsibilities

o Knowledge of Federal, state and local Animal Welfare regulations and recommendations

o ALAT or higher certification desirable

• Skills/Abilities

o Strong communication skills (written and verbal required, presentation desirable)

o Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook required, database use desirable

o Able to lift 50 lbs., move heavy objects, work from a standing position for prolonged periods and perform repetitive motion tasks

o Able to perform standard animal care responsibilities.

o Able to work weekends, holidays and during inclement weather