Senior Animal Care Technician

About the Department

Welcome to VCU — a world unlike any other! We combine learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. VCU offers a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay and mission-driven work. We advance a conscientious drive to support a climate where excellence and success for all people are valued and differences are celebrated.

Responsibilities

• Advanced handling, husbandry and care of USDA species.
• Conduct accurate observations and reporting of animal health and cage elements for multiple USDA species housed within DAR’s vivarium (food, water, and caging).
• Provide basic and advanced animal husbandry (i.e., cage, water and food change), cage/animal census, environmental enrichment, and room/vivarium/cage wash housekeeping activities.
• Attentive and knowledgeable on various health conditions and symptoms of pathogen infection in sensitive USDA species.
• Plan ahead to ensure needed supplies are properly disinfected and sanitized.
• Work with little or no supervision once trained on assigned tasks.
• Participate in staff training and employee health and safety programs, including annual safety requirements such as fit testing, TB testing (if applicable), and drug screening.
• Follow the VCU Code of conduct to offer a consistently high quality of customer service.
• Exercise extreme attention to detail in husbandry, cleaning, and handling techniques.
• Work closely with vet staff and research staff to ensure their needs are met.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
• High school diploma.
• Strong attention to detail and effective time management skills.
• Significant experience in animal care facilities involving USDA species.
• Ability to excel in following both oral and written instructions.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and stand for extended periods.
• Expertise in safely handling and interacting with animals while ensuring a safe environment.
• Ability to safely handle and apply cleaning chemicals while properly wearing protective gear.
• Observant and able to respond appropriately to various situations.
• Teamwork and ability to meet deadlines are essential.

Preferred Qualifications

• ALAS certification at LAT level preferred, or 5 years of laboratory animal husbandry experience, or ALAT certification and 3 years of laboratory animal husbandry experience.

Pay

$40,000 - $44,000

Benefits

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive health benefits.
• Paid annual and holiday leave.
• Generous tuition benefits.
• Retirement planning and savings options, including tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs.
• Employee discounts.
• Well-being resources.
• Abundant opportunities for career development and advancement.

Schedule

40 hours per week, fully onsite.