Animal Cage Wash Technician I

Arizona International; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Arizona's University Animal Care department is seeking an Animal Cage Wash Technician I to join the Tucson campus. This role ensures animal caging, equipment, and facility laundry are thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and prepared for reuse, including operating cage and tunnel washers and autoclave-ready procedures.

The position is full-time, non-exempt, 40 hours per week, with a pay rate of $16.50–$18.75 per hour. A high school diploma is required, and benefits are included.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency is required.

Responsibilities

• Break down animal caging, remove soiled bedding, and hose down equipment prior to washing.
• Load and unload cage and tunnel washers and operate equipment according to established procedures.
• Remove facility trash and handle hazardous waste in accordance with established procedures.
• Assemble clean caging and prepare equipment for autoclaving.
• Process facility laundry, including loading dryers and folding clean laundry.
• Maintain clean and orderly cage wash and support areas.
• Assist with caging repairs and rack changes as needed.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Animal Cage Wash Technician I

Posting Number: req27268

Department: University Animal Care

Department Website Link: https://uac.arizona.edu/

Location: Tucson Campus

Address: Tucson, AZ USA

The University Animal Care (UAC) department is accepting applications for an Animal Cage Wash Technician I to join the team. The Animal Cage Wash Technician I supports the daily operations of University Animal Care by ensuring animal caging, equipment, and facility laundry are thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and prepared for reuse. This position performs hands‑on work throughout the cage wash process, including breaking down and cleaning dirty caging, operating cage and tunnel washers, assembling clean caging, and preparing equipment for autoclaving. The position also supports facility cleanliness and waste management by handling trash, hazardous waste, and laundry in accordance with established procedures. This role is essential to maintaining a clean, safe, and well‑organized environment that supports the care and housing of research animals.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Dirty Cage Wash Duties:

• Break down animal caging, remove soiled bedding, and hose down equipment prior to washing.
• Load and unload cage and tunnel washers and operate equipment according to established procedures.
• Remove facility trash and handle hazardous waste in accordance with established procedures.

Clean Side Cage Wash Duties:

• Assemble clean caging and prepare equipment for autoclaving.
• Process facility laundry, including loading dryers and folding clean laundry.
• Maintain clean and orderly cage wash and support areas.
• Assist with caging repairs and rack changes as needed.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Demands:

• Ability to preform work that requires continuous bending, stooping, twisting, standing and walking.
• Work requires reaching overhead, pushing and pulling of equipment.
• Work on the dirty side cage wash area is performed in a wet, humid environment.
• Repetitive hand motion (dumping and filling caging, loading and unloading racks, autoclaves, and tunnel washer).
• Ability to be medically cleared to wear a respirator.
• There is sufficient noise to cause you to shout in order to be heard above the noise level; this occurs on both sides when tunnel washer is in operation. Hearing protection will be provided.
• Employees are frequently required to lift/move/transport a certain amount of weight.
• There are a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals in a work setting.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency is required.

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Full Time/Part Time:

Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week:

40

Job FTE:

1.0

Work Calendar:

Fiscal

Job Category:

Veterinary and Animal Care

Benefits Eligible:

Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay:

$16.50 - $18.75

Compensation Type:

hourly rate

Grade:

2

Compensation Guidance:

The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity. The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level:

OC1

Job Family:

Animal Care

Job Function:

Veterinary & Animal Care

Type of criminal background check required:

Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to job duties)

Number of Vacancies:

1

Contact Information for Candidates:

Kimberly Gonzalez | [e-mail]

Open Date:

10/6/2026

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Documents Needed to Apply:

Resume and Cover Letter

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses. Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].