Animal Caretaker

About the role

This announcement has been extended. Applicants who have applied, do not need to re-apply.

Responsibilities

• Affords assistance in transporting, loading, or unloading cages, animals, supplies, as needed for the care of laboratory animals or conduct of research.
• Monitors animals for signs of illness, disease, discontent, and general physical condition; reports any issues to the VMU Supervisor and/or Animal Health Technician.
• Monitors environmental conditions in assigned animal wards and reports any deficiencies to the VMU lead caretaker or supervisor.
• Controls animal room temperature, humidity, and light cycles under supervision.
• Maintains accurate animal inventory sheets for each principal investigator.
• Maintains supply and equipment inventories in assigned areas and reports any issues.
• Identifies and manages animal identification tags, notches, or tattoos as directed.
• Handles and restrains commonly used animal laboratory species using appropriate techniques.
• Determines which animals can be housed together and which must be housed separately.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Physical strength and manual dexterity to safely work with all species of animals, both wild and domestic.
• Varies from a controlled environment to field conditions, including exposure to allergens, humidity, odors, and biological hazards.

Qualifications

• Ability to perform duties without more than normal supervision, including performing health examinations, monitoring animals, handling and restraining animals, and maintaining animal enclosures.

Benefits

Not specified.

Pay

Not specified.

Schedule

Full-time, duty days and hours will vary and include some weekends and holidays. Schedule is determined by the supervisor based on the need of the service.