ANIMAL TECHNICIAN IV

About Us

Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100-year legacy in 2024, marking a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school, and a leading postdoctoral training program. Scripps Research encompasses two elite institutes: the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry, and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine.

Responsibilities

• Monitors and assists assigned staff with daily work schedules to ensure completion of tasks according to Departmental standard operating procedures.
• Assists with training staff on facility management and husbandry procedures.
• Assists veterinary staff in training on animal health observations and treatments.
• Ensures daily health observations, treatments, and experimental manipulations are completed satisfactorily.
• May assist with compiling monthly billing and documenting weekly facility QA with appropriate follow-ups.
• Ensures all facility maintenance and security needs are met.
• Performs daily health observations and routine care, including physical examinations, treatments, and vaccinations.
• Performs clinical and research-related techniques such as injections, sampling of bodily fluids, and tissue harvest.
• May perform pathology and laboratory procedures such as prosection, clinical pathology, and parasitology tests.
• Maintains all pertinent records.
• Implements specific breeding schemes of specialized rodents, establishes new matings, retires breeders, identifies pregnant animals, and completes all breeding records and cards.
• Communicates with research staff on issues involving animal health, breeding, or regulatory matters.
• Cleans, sanitizes, and autoclaves caging, equipment, and refills water bottles; may also clean and replace excreta pans or pads.
• Maintains cagewash equipment, including cleaning screens, jets, and manifolds.
• Performs preventative maintenance such as descaling tanks and polishing machines.
• Performs general housekeeping duties, including sweeping and mopping work areas and hallways, and properly disposes of waste.
• Assists with the health monitoring program, including testing for parasites.
• Receives feed, bedding, and supplies, and autoclaves them in preparation for use.
• May perform specialized tasks in infectious agent quarters, quarantine areas, or animal facilities while adhering to biohazard regulations and maintaining traffic patterns.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Minimum seven years of animal care experience. A Bachelor's degree in a life science, Associate's degree in veterinary technology, or AALAS certification and three plus years of previous animal care experience may substitute for the total experience required.
• Effective interpersonal relation skills.
• Must demonstrate competency in technical procedures.
• Those not assigned to a Dedicated Weekend Schedule (Fri-Mon) or Sat/Sun only schedule must be able to work weekend and holiday rotations.
• With or without reasonable accommodation, must be able to work with animals for up to 8 hours a day, lift feed bags and animal cages up to 50 pounds, and perform repetitive motions with arms, wrists, and hands.
• This position may include utilizing latex gloves and working in an environment that contains animal dander and dust particles.

Preferred: LATG Certification.

Benefits

• Employer-contributed retirement plan (no employee contribution required) and the option to contribute to a 403(b).
• Full suite of health and welfare plans, including three medical plan options (including an HSA-available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP, and more.
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/Dependent Care).
• Competitive vacation and sick leave policies.
• Free, on-site parking.