Technician II

The University of British Columbia; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 4,000 - 5,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading university is seeking a Technician II for their Animal Care Facility. The role involves daily maintenance and care of laboratory animals, including health checks and record keeping. Candidates should have a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, alongside relevant qualifications and experience in animal husbandry.

Qualifications

• Over one year related experience working with laboratory animals.
• Registered Lab Animal Technician certification an asset.

Responsibilities

• Daily maintenance and care of laboratory animals.
• Providing medications as per written instructions.
• Assisting with anesthesia and surgical procedures.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Secondary School (Grade 12)

Animal Health Technology degree

Job description

Staff - Union

Job Category

BCGEU Okanagan Support Staff

Job Profile

BCGEU OK Salaried - Technician II

Job Title

Technician II

Department

UBCO | Animal Care Facility | Facility Operations | Animal Care Services

Compensation Range

$4,095.00 - $4,695.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

May 31, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Flexible schedule available. This is a part-time, 0.8 FTE position with the possibility to increase to full-time, 1.0 FTE.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for the daily maintenance and care of laboratory animals; this includes cage changing, providing food and water, performing health checks, administering medications as per written instructions and reporting any signs of ill-health. The cleaning of dirty caging and the preparation of sterile caging is required. This position also includes the general cleaning and maintenance of the facility, record keeping and inventory.

Organizational Status

Works collaboratively with other technicians, faculty and staff. Reports to the Manager of Animal Care, UBC, Okanagan campus.

This position can expect to interact with a variety of persons working with teaching and research animals, including, but not limited to: technical and support staff, research faculty, their staff, and students. This position may have contact with various UBC departmental staff, as well as laboratory animal product distributors.

Work Performed

Responsible for providing basic animal husbandry, handling, restraint, health, behavior and welfare surveillance of laboratory animals, along with continuous awareness of current species-specific welfare issues.

Performing health checks on various laboratory animals and recording observations.

Recording and maintaining animal data.

Providing animal husbandry; this includes providing food, water, clean housing, and enrichment to animals, including changing animal cages and water bottles, operating a cage dumping station, a cage washer, a bottle filler, and a pass-through sterilizer.

Maintenance of the facility s cleanliness and organization, including routine sweeping and mopping of floors, as well as scheduled cleaning of rooms, vents, and cage racks.

Maintenance of facility equipment as required on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis.

Providing medications to animals as per written instruction (such as eye drops, topical antibiotics, oral medications in food or water).

Assisting with the collection of biological samples.

Assisting with anesthesia, surgical and other procedures, under direct supervision.

Assisting in the presentation of training courses for laboratory students and personnel.

Assisting in receiving, collecting and recording inventory of animals, food, bedding, and other supplies, repeatedly lifting up to 20kg.

Performing Other Related Tasks As Required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Inappropriate judgement exercised by the position may impact the success of the facility, leading to increased expenses and time loss. Additionally, inappropriate judgement may also have detrimental consequences in regards to animal and human health and welfare.

Supervision Received

Inappropriate judgement exercised by the position may impact the success of the facility, leading to increased expenses and time loss. Additionally, inappropriate judgement may also have detrimental consequences in regards to animal and human health and welfare.

Supervision Given

This position does not involve supervision, but the position may assist co-workers, students and faculty by explaining and teaching certain procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

Completion of Secondary School (Grade 12) or equivalent; Registered Lab Animal Technician (CALAS/AALAS) certification an asset; over one (1) year related experience working with laboratory animals; or the equivalent combination of education and experience. An Animal Health Technology degree is an asset. Demonstrated ability in performing standard technical and related husbandry procedures on common species of laboratory animals.

Ability to operate and maintain the instrumentation and equipment utilized in the animal facility.

Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment as well as independently. Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, organizational, problem solving and computer skills.

The position is physically demanding and involves heavy lifting (up to 20 kg). The successful candidate would need to be capable of meeting the repetitive, physical requirements of the job.

UBC internal training is a requirement of this position. Responsible for providing basic animal husbandry, handling, restraint, health, behavior and welfare surveillance of laboratory animals, along with continuous awareness of current species-specific welfare issues.