Technical Skills Training Specialist

Job ID: 26006298 | Division of Laboratory and Animal Resources (DLAR) | Pittsburgh, PA

About the role

The Technical Skills Training Specialist provides hands-on technical training to DLAR staff and research personnel on skills relating to handling and restraint, basic species-specific care, treatments, blood collection, necropsy, anesthesia machines, aseptic technique, survival surgery, and a variety of other technical skills needed within the division. Training applies to rodents and a variety of other animal species and adheres to DLAR business needs, institutional practices, standards, and regulatory requirements. The specialist also manages the DLAR rodent training colony in adherence to regulatory and DLAR practices, maintains training documentation, updates files, maintains inventory, orders supplies, and helps develop, revise, and maintain training materials utilizing instructor-led, computer-based, and interactive training methods.

Responsibilities

• Train DLAR staff and research personnel on species-specific animal care, welfare, and common veterinary procedures
• Provide hands-on training for handling/restraint, treatments, blood collection, necropsy, anesthesia, aseptic technique, survival surgery, and other technical skills
• Manage the DLAR rodent training colony per regulatory and DLAR practices
• Maintain training documentation, update files, maintain inventory of supplies, and order supplies
• Develop, revise, and maintain training materials using instructor-led, computer-based, and interactive methods
• Provide research support including radiographic techniques, surgical support, treatments, procedures, patient preparation, administering anesthetics, and monitoring anesthesia
• Read, understand, and follow DLAR and institutional guidance documents (SOPs, policies, IACUC-approved animal protocols)
• Accurately and legibly document information in English in a timely manner, including electronic formats (e.g., PRISM, CAMS)
• Wear facility-specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required by job duties based on EH&S risk assessment
• Work directly with live or dead animals and clean or soiled bedding and caging

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience (2+ years in a research/lab/animal care setting may substitute for education)
• Minimum 1 year of relevant experience
• Experience working with rodents and administering medications, treatments, and post-operative care
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for maintaining research animals in an Institutional Research Program
• Familiarity with general biology and ability to determine health status of a variety of animal species
• Effective teaching techniques and professional verbal, written, interpersonal, and customer service skills
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with researchers, staff, and DLAR personnel
• Excellent time and process management skills
• Availability to work occasional weekends and holidays
• Ability to pass mandatory criminal and social background checks and Child Protection Clearances (PA Act 153: PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance)
• Vaccinations and/or TB testing may be required
• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level within 24 months of start date

Physical requirements

• Stand for extended periods throughout the majority of the work day
• Lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds (caging, equipment, bags/boxes of diet and bedding)
• Operate flatbed hand trucks or pallet jacks to move heavier objects exceeding 50 pounds
• Perform repetitive motion tasks involving pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, and/or bending
• Physically handle and restrain a variety of small and large laboratory animals
• Navigate around animal facility caging, equipment, and physical plant
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for species, housing conditions, or work area
• Sufficient visual and hearing acuity to recognize normal and abnormal species-specific clinical appearances and behavior patterns, safely handle and restrain animals, and operate/maintain facility equipment

Schedule & work arrangement

• Full-time regular position
• On-campus (Pittsburgh campus)
• Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; some overtime, weekends, and holidays required

Certifications & clearances

• AALAS Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification required within 24 months of start date
• Background check required for position finalists
• PA Act 153 Child Protection Clearances required prior to commencement and as condition of continued employment

Additional information

• Job Classification: Staff Animal Care Training Specialist
• Job Family: Research | Sub Family: Animal Research
• Relocation not offered
• Visa sponsorship not provided
• Required application document: Resume