Animal Caretaker I

Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Must attain certification by the American Associa­tion for Laboratory Animal Science as an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) within 1 year of obtaining the position.

Overview: Responsible for all activities required for the proper care and maintenance of the Animal Care Services.

Description of Duties:

(Job descriptions are subject to change to reflect duties and responsibilities.)

1. Receive, examine, transfer, identify, and properly house incoming animal shipments according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
2. Provide food and water to animals following SOPs or approved protocols.
3. Perform daily animal health surveillance checks and report any abnormal conditions of either the animals or the animal room environment to supervisory staff.
4. Perform routine animal husbandry for small animal species. Including individual cages, group housed animals, and animals in floor housing environments.
5. Ensure animals receive adequate environmental enrichment as directed.
6. Assist with the restraint and manipulation of various animal species.
7. Understand and follow SOPs, safety procedures, and quality assurance guidelines for animal care at all levels of biohazard containment.
8. Maintain a daily animal census in assigned animal rooms.
9. Prepare and submit records, charts, logs, cage cards, and inventories as required by SOPs.
10. Sanitize and decontaminate all areas of the facility as directed such as animal rooms, facility common areas, hallways and procedure rooms.
11. Dispose of waste from the facility following appropriate SOPs.
12. Maintain and repair animal caging and support equipment.
13. Assist with receipt, stocking and maintenance of all supply inventories.
14. Dispose of animal carcasses following SOPs.
15. Maintain clean and organized work and personal areas.
16. Assist cagewash personnel as needed.
17. Work flexible hours to include weekend and holidays to ensure all animal care requirements are met daily.
18. Report any abnormal conditions of the animal facility or immediate vicinity to supervisory staff.
19. Must be able to lift 50lbs.
20. Perform other duties under supervision, as assigned.