Lab Animal Technician 1

About the role

The Oregon National Primate Center (ONPRC) is located 12 miles west of the OHSU main campus, and sits on 162 acres of land featuring forested areas, research and administration buildings, indoor and outdoor animal housing, and 2-mile perimeter walking path. Our mission is to improve human health and the quality of life through the support of nonhuman primate research programs that advance our knowledge of the causes, preventions, treatments, and cures of debilitating diseases.

Function/Duties of Position

• Routine feeding and watering of animals.
• Capture, restraint, and transportation of animals in support of veterinary or investigative procedures.
• Handle, restraint, identification and sexing all common varieties of Laboratory animals.
• Routine sanitization of animal primary housing, shelters, equipment and facilities.
• Absorb and report on animal health management procedures.
• Assist with facility maintenance.
• Assist with unloading and storing feed.
• Assist with group-housed animal capture ("roundup") and processing.
• Assist with care of animals in the nursery.
• Assist with animal care and environmental enrichment activities.
• Inventory and request supplies.
• Observe animals in all housing configurations, recognize abnormalities in physical condition or behavior, and report and record observations.
• Recognize and report problems with facilities.
• Perform simple facility maintenance tasks.
• Operate equipment necessary to support the animal care and support mission.
• Interact with the research investigative staff to accomplish their needs in a professional manner, with a service-oriented attitude.

Required Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of the care of animals can be demonstrated through care of household pets, farm animals, or 4-H animals.
• Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and/or written formats with both technical and professional staff.
• Ability to assist with research support at the level that the individual is trained.
• Research support must be performed in a professional manner and will require contact with investigative staff.
• Ability to perform general animal husbandry duties and assist investigative staff with needs as requested.
• A valid Driver's License and the ability to drive ARRS/ONPRC vehicles on and off campus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advancement requires High School Diploma or GED; and mastery of principles and concepts that are taught on the job.
• 6 months’ related experience with animals, OR Certification at the Assistant laboratory animal Technician level (ALAT) OR 2 years of indirect laboratory animal experience.
• Basic knowledge of the care of animals can be demonstrated through care of household pets, farm animals, or 4-H animals.

Additional Details

• Regular work schedule is 7:30am - 4:00pm and includes weekends with opportunity for voluntary and mandatory overtime and holiday work.
• Working Conditions: Daily work may involve moving on wet and/or slick surfaces, through narrow corridors between rows of cages, and climbing stairs to corral observation towers.
• Physical Demands: Able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 23 kg (50 lbs.), and lift objects weighing approximately 19 kg (42 lbs.) to approximately shoulder height.
• Able to push and pull heavy wheeled equipment such as cage racks and loaded carts.
• Able to move unassisted through various animal housing areas located in several separate buildings, indoor and outdoor.
• Possess sufficient dexterity and manual skills to safely perform (or learn to perform) basic animal husbandry and animal handling (using proper techniques), and health care procedures, including but not limited to feeding and sanitization procedures, animal capture and restraint, administration of medications, and collection of body fluids and tissues.

Benefits

• Healthcare for full-time employees covered 100% and 88% for dependents.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from.
• Vacation - up to 200 hours per year dependent on length of service.
• Sick Leave - up to 96 hours per year.
• 9 paid holidays per year.
• Substantial Tri-Met and C-Tran discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Childcare service discounts.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts to local and national businesses.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu.