Animal Care Assistant

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center; Richmond, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking an Animal Care Assistant to support the Animal Care Facility. Responsibilities include cleaning, disinfecting cages, maintaining records, and preparing sterile housing for animals.

The role requires ability to lift 50 lbs, stand for long periods, and work well with others in a fast-paced, on-site setting. Applicants should be comfortable working near animals and around chemicals. Full-time with benefits available.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to foster respect, professionalism and civility with a diverse population.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs and stand for long periods.
• Comfortable working near/around animals and handling chemicals safely.
• Able to work well with others and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Clean and disinfect animal cages and racks per established guidelines.
• Monitor and clean equipment daily; report malfunctions.
• Assemble cages, bedding and water bottles; autoclave as required.
• Maintain operation records and ensure supplies are stocked.
• Move racks and prepare sterile housing; barrier facility duties.
• Weekly tasks: unpack feed/bedding and test eyewash stations.

Skills

Respect and civility

Lift 50 lbs

Stand for long hours

Team player

Animal care exposure

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Advertising Summary

Department:Welcome to VCU ... a world unlike any other. We combine learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. Here, your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay and mission-driven work. We advance a conscientious drive to support a climate where excellence and success for all people are valued and differences are celebrated.

Office of Research & Innovation, Division of Animal Resources invites applicants to apply for an outstanding opportunity to join our Animal Care Team as a Animal Care Assistant.

Together, we can be unstoppable!

Duties & Responsibilities

Employee will be responsible for the cleaning a variety of soiled animal cages and racks. The employee will clean, disinfect and sterilize animal cages using the guidelines established by the regulatory agencies and the Division. Monitor and clean equipment daily to ensure that it is working properly and know the established procedure to follow when equipment is malfunctioning. Maintain records of operation. Using the guidelines established by the Division, assemble animal cages, bedding and water bottles into setups. Using the established procedures, these setups are autoclaved and used for animals requiring sterile housing. Ensures an inventory of sterile cages are kept on hand to supply the day-to-day demands as well as emergency situations. Unpack feed and bedding off pallets and store appropriately. Keep working area clean and organized and ensure supplies that are needed are on hand at all times. Other duties as assigned.

For barrier facilities or aseptic holding spaces, the employee will autoclave assembled cage setups and accessories used for animals requiring sterile housing. The employee will ensure a sufficient inventory of sterile cages and sterile cage accessories is kept on hand to supply the day-to-day demands of the animal care team, as well as to anticipate emergency situations. The employee will fill water carboys for autoclaving if necessary.

Weekly, unpack feed and bedding off pallets and store in designated storage areas. Test functionality of eyewash stations. Keep the working area clean and organized to maintain both functionality and workplace safety. Ensure sufficient supplies are on hand at all times. Move racks containing full cage setups, HydroPac containers, PPE supplies or other materials. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Ability to follow both oral and written instructions required
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs easily
• Stand for long periods of time up
• Must be comfortable working near/around animals.
• Must be able to disinfect walls, floors, and cages; to daily inspect rooms and determine when supplies are needed
• Must be able to properly handle and apply chemicals safely during room cleaning processes; to wear any protective clothing or materials as needed
• Observe and respond to situations in an appropriate manner
• Individual needs to be able to work well with others and to meet deadline

Benefits

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Unit: VP Research MBU

Department: Animal Care Facility

Salary Range:$33,300

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt
Hours per Week:40

Restricted Position:Yes

ORP Eligible:No

Flexible Work Arrangement:Fully Onsite

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Niki Boyd
Contact Email: [e-mail]