Animal Care Technician

About the Role

As an Animal Care Technician at the University of Central Florida (UCF), you will play a vital role in supporting groundbreaking research by ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of the animals in our care. Working at the intersection of science and compassion, you will uphold the highest standards of animal welfare in compliance with federal, state, and university guidelines and policies. This role also collaborates closely with animal care management, attending veterinarians, and researchers to observe, document, and communicate the findings that keep our research moving forward.

Responsibilities

• Perform all activities associated with the care of animals at the animal care facilities.
• Perform husbandry procedures daily.
• Abide by all guidelines from the guide for the care and use of lab animals and AAALAC standards for excellence.
• Observe health conditions and behavior of animals, report injuries and signs of disease and abnormal behavior to animal care management, Principal Investigator (PI), and attending veterinarian.
• Monitor environmental conditions and report changes.
• Perform routine treatments as prescribed by the attending veterinarian.
• Provide assistance in animal care procedures.
• Maintain cleanliness of work area and quality and safety standards.
• Operate specialized equipment including ventilated rack system, cage washer, and autoclaves.
• Assist weekend and holiday operations and be on-call to advise and resolve issues.
• On-call as Essential Personnel and available for work during emergency events, i.e. hurricanes.
• Attend animal care training as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 2+ years of relevant experience; or
• Certification as Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician or above by the Animal Association for Laboratory Animal Science; or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience working with animals in a veterinary, research, shelter, or similar environment.
• Familiarity with animal treatment, care, and observation practices.
• Demonstrated ability to safely and confidently handle animals.
• Proficient computer skills with the ability to efficiently use software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional eye for detail and keen observation skills to ensure accuracy in all duties.
• Commitment to following established protocols, safety guidelines, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
• Associate degree in animal science, veterinary technology, or a related field.
• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification preferred.

Work Location

This position may alternate work locations between UCF's two facilities at Lake Nona and the Main Campus: UCF Lake Nona Research Facility located at 6900 Lake Nona Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32827 and UCF Main Campus Facility located at 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL 32816.

Schedule

Monday - Friday; 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Schedule may vary as required and can include weekends, holidays, and during university closures.

Pay

The anticipated hourly pay rate for this position is $15.66 - $18.79. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.

Benefits

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays
• Retirement savings options
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions
• Education assistance
• And more