Animal Cage Wash Technician I

University of Arizona; Tucson, Northern (AZ, KY); On-site; USD 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Tuition reduction for employee and a q

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

The University of Arizona’s University Animal Care department is seeking an Animal Cage Wash Technician I to support the daily operations by cleaning cages, equipment, and laundry, and by assisting with autoclaving and waste management. This role ensures a clean, safe environment for housing research animals.

Essential duties include breaking down caging, operating washers, assembling clean cages, and handling hazardous waste per procedures.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or equivalent required.

Responsibilities

• Break down soiled cages and prepare equipment for washing.
• Operate cage and tunnel washers; load/unload equipment.
• Assemble clean cages and prepare equipment for autoclaving.
• Manage facility laundry and waste according to procedures.

Skills

Cleanliness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Cage wash equipment

Autoclave prep

Job description

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!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work‑life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .

Duties & Responsibilities

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 avariety 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.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Target Hire Date

Expected End Date

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

Special Instructions to Applicant

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].