Animal Technician I (Christiansburg, VA)

About the role

The Animal Technician position is a hands‑on role that cares for the everyday handling, feeding, and care of animals in our designated pathogen‑free (DPF) facility. Technicians provide daily animal care per documented SOPs and maintain detailed records on animals and the DPF facility. They are primarily responsible for disinfection and cleaning of the DPF. The role works 10‑hour shifts, predominantly overnight from 5:30 pm to 3:30 am, with additional day‑shift availability based on business need. Day‑to‑day activities include daily feeding, washing, and care of pigs; movement of pigs; basic treatments; and reproduction (e.g., boar semen collection). Technicians also clean, disinfect, and upkeep the DPF, including lawn mowing and trimming; maintain animal husbandry, care, and cleaning records to meet GDP expectations; assist the veterinary team with set‑up and care during/after operations, operative care, collection, storage, shipment, and inventory of samples; understand and follow all SOPs and quality‑assurance standards; and perform other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily animal care per documented SOPs and maintain detailed records on animals and the DPF facility.
• Perform disinfection and cleaning of the DPF.
• Carry out day‑to‑day activities within the DPF, including daily feeding, washing, and care of pigs; movement of pigs; basic treatments; and reproduction (e.g., boar semen collection).
• Clean, disinfect, and upkeep the DPF, including lawn mowing and trimming responsibilities.
• Maintain appropriate animal husbandry, animal care, and cleaning records to meet GDP expectations.
• Assist the veterinary team with set‑up and care during/after operations, operative care, collection, storage, shipment, and inventory of samples.
• Understand and follow all SOPs and quality‑assurance standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• H.S. Diploma or General Education Degree (GED)
• 1+ years of experience in large animal care and handling
• Ability to work 10‑hour shifts from 5:30 pm to 3:30 am, including weekends and holidays, with availability to work day shifts based on business need
• Working knowledge of animal husbandry, including nutrition, reproduction, and safety
• Excellent communication