Technician I - Animal Care, Cagewash

For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development, and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe.

About the role

We are seeking a Technician I – Animal Care for our Cagewash Team in Mattawan, MI. The Cagewash Assistant is an entry-level position that supports daily cagewash and equipment operations. This role provides hands-on training while performing routine cleaning, preparation, and handling of equipment and supplies. Employees work under close supervision and are expected to follow safety guidelines, care standards, and established procedures.

The pay for this position is $19/hr.

Responsibilities

• Cares for the animals used in research and development studies.
• Performs duties related to the maintenance of experimental animals such as feeding and caring for animals, cleaning cages, holding animals for treatment by laboratory technician, or maintaining inventory and animal identification records.
• Performs cleaning/sanitation of animal facility and equipment.
• Responsible for bio-safety and bio-security of the animals.
• May partner with pre-clinical investigators to assist and support veterinarians with surgery, dosing, post-op care, and monitoring of animal studies.
• Promote animal welfare through safe, humane, and positive interactions.
• Perform basic cagewash tasks with training and supervision, including cleaning, preparation, inspection, and tracking of equipment.
• Operate rack and tunnel washers after training is provided.
• Accurately record information using paper forms or electronic systems.
• Help maintain cleanliness of assigned animal rooms and work areas.
• Stock and organize non-consumable equipment and assist with cagewash coordination.
• Learn equipment types, functions, and standard procedures.
• Participate in required training and follow all safety guidelines, SOPs, and GLP standards.
• Perform additional related tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or General Education Degree (G.E.D.) preferred.
• 0-12 months of relevant experience.
• Computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite), commensurate with essential functions, including the ability to learn a validated system.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing at all levels inside and outside the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to consistently and effectively produce high-quality results and record accurate study and departmental data.
• Strong customer service focus.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities to achieve goals.
• Ensure a safe working environment by observing all safety procedures and working methods, making proper use of protective clothing and equipment, and following all safety documents issued or notified of.
• Ensure the integrity of the studies and fulfill regulatory agencies' requirements by performing activities according to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Business Operating Procedures (BOP), and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) rules.
• Ability to push/pull/lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to exercise decision-making under the direction of a technical supervisor.
• Ability to work extended hours beyond normal work schedule, including evenings, weekends, extended shifts, and/or extra shifts, sometimes on short notice.
• Ability to work under specific time constraints.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without a sponsor visa, now or in the future.

Benefits

We’re committed to providing benefits that elevate your quality of life. Based on your position, these may include: bonus/incentives based on performance, 401K, paid time off, stock purchase program, health and wellness coverage, employee and family wellbeing support programs, and work-life balance flexibility.

About the company

Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities.

With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies, hospitals, and academic institutions around the world.

At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science, and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do. We have proudly worked on 80% of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past five years.