Vivarium Technician

Eastern Kentucky University; Richmond; On-site; CAD 24,000 - 35,000; Part time

Job summary

Eastern Kentucky University seeks a Vivarium Technician student to support the Center for Science & Environmental Education’s Ambassador Animal program at the Richmond Campus. You will help with feeding, cleaning, enclosure maintenance, and record-keeping while following animal care protocols.

The role requires enrollment at EKU and prior direct animal care experience. It involves assisting with educational programs and outreach activities and maintaining a safe, clean vivarium environment.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled at EKU.
• Direct animal care experience required (employment, volunteer work, internships, coursework, animal husbandry, veterinary settings, shelters, farms, or other comparable environments).

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for ambassador animals, including feeding, cleaning and maintaining enclosures.
• Monitor animal health and behavior and keep accurate care records.
• Maintain appropriate environmental conditions and follow established care procedures.
• Communicate concerns to supervisors and assist with educational programs and outreach events.

Skills

Animal care

Attention to detail

Reliability

Education

Enrolled at EKU

Job description

Title: Vivarium Technician

Position Type: Student

Search Type: External - minimum 7 days

Department: 21R000 - Science, Tech, Engineering & Math

Division: 2R0000 - Academic Affairs

Position Location: Richmond Campus

Driver Classification: Non-Driver

Hours Per Week: up to 20

Contact Person: Kelly Watson

Job Summary/Basic Functions

The Vivarium Technician is a student position responsible for supporting the daily care and well‑being of the Center for Science & Environmental Education’s Ambassador Animal program. The technician will assist with feeding, cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures, monitoring animal health and behavior, maintaining appropriate environmental conditions, and keeping accurate care records. The Vivarium Technician will follow established animal care and safety protocols and communicate any concerns regarding animal health, behavior, or facility conditions to the appropriate supervisor. The position may also assist with preparing ambassador animals for educational programs, outreach events, and other Center activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Must be enrolled at EKU.
• Experience: Previous experience providing direct care for animals is required. Experience may include employment, volunteer work, internships, coursework, animal husbandry, veterinary settings, wildlife rehabilitation, shelters, farms, or other comparable animal-care environments.

Preferred Qualifications

This position requires reliability, attention to detail, a commitment to animal welfare, and the ability to work independently while following established care procedures.

Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Open Until Filled: No

Special Instructions: Student must have an up-to-date tetanus vaccination.

EEO Statement

Eastern Kentucky University is an Equal Opportunity employer and educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of age (40 and over), race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, ethnicity, disability, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information in the admission to, or participation in, any educational program or activity (e.g., athletics, academics and housing) which it conducts or any employment policy or practice.

Background Check Statement

Offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Advertised: 25 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 25 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time