Animal Caretaker

About the role

The Vivarium Animal Facility is looking to hire a Animal Caretaker to take care of our animal colony. The team's responsibilities include clinical veterinary services, animal husbandry, animal procurement, animal enrichment, investigator support, training, and compliance oversight.

Duties

• Performs daily animal health checks and reports any abnormal animal conditions to the veterinary technician and/or Area Supervisor.
• Disposes of dead animals following standard SOPs and policies.
• Changes animal caging, to include feed and water, according to SOPs and/or specific approved protocols and the schedule established by the Area Supervisor.
• Sexes and weans animals according the SOPs.
• Maintains daily animal census sheets, room equipment and status form sheets, and other forms requested by the Area Supervisor.
• Cleans and sanitizes animal facility, assigned rooms and cages according to SOPs.
• Maintains and repairs animal caging and support equipment.
• Receives, examines, transfers, identifies and properly houses incoming animal shipments according to SOPs.
• Assist with the restraint, handling and manipulation of various animal species as requested by the investigators.
• Perform routine cleaning, descaling, and preventative maintenance on the cage washers and autoclaves, including checking and cleaning filters and spray manifolds.
• Process clean caging and accessory equipment appropriately, including putting bedding into cages and autoclaving cages and supplies.

Requirements

• General background in animal care or research training preferred.
• High School Diploma is required.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work independently to perform required tasks and recognize operational problems.
• Good communication skills and fluency in English.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to handle the physical requirements of the position (e.g., repetitive motions, lifting 6-liter (12 lb.) tanks of water, extended periods of standing, walking, and sitting).

Location: Philadelphia, PA  |  Pay: $20–$22 per hour  |  Contract to Hire