Animal Care Specialist I/II

Socket.dev; Hercules (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401k

Other benefits

Job summary

Pacific BioLabs is seeking an Animal Care Specialist I/II to perform day-to-day vivarium tasks, including feeding, cage sanitation, and room cleaning. The role requires weekend/holiday rotation and onsite presence.

You will ensure humane animal handling in line with NIH and USDA guidelines, maintain records, and support client audits. Experience in laboratory animal husbandry is preferred; strong communication and teamwork are essential to thrive in this busy environment.

Qualifications

• Experience with laboratory animal husbandry procedures preferred.
• Ability to communicate priorities clearly with management and colleagues.
• Capable of teamwork in a fast-paced vivarium environment.
• Must lift up to 35 lbs and work around animals with tolerable odors.

Responsibilities

• Ensure humane treatment of all animals per NIH Guide and USDA regulations.
• Keep animal colony presentable for client audits and inspectors.
• Meet client expectations related to animal availability and testing priority.
• Maintain cleanliness and teamwork in the vivarium.
• Order, receive, store feed and supplies; manage animal records per SOPs.
• Feed and water animals daily; sanitize cages and water bottles.
• Prepare cleaning solutions and disinfect animal rooms per SOPs.
• Ensure GMP/GLP compliance for studies involving animal care.
• Assist in training incoming animal care staff.

Skills

Animal handling

Communication

Teamwork

Physical stamina

Lifting 35 lbs

Flexibility

Education

Experience with laboratory animal husbandry procedures preferred

Job description

Description

Pacific BioLabs is an independent CRO providing cGMP/GLP testing in toxicology, biocompatibility, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, and microbiology. We are currently hiring to support our clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device fields. Join us in our mission to improve public health through science!

PBL has an immediate opening for an Animal Care Specialist I/II. The Animal Care Specialist is an onsite position which includes responsibility for day-to-day activities within the vivarium, including feeding and watering of animals, cage cleaning, and room sanitization. The position requires rotating weekend and holiday hours.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Ensure that all animals housed at the facility are consistently treated in a humane manner as specified in the current NIH Guide and USDA regulations.
• Ensure that the animal colony is presentable and functioning properly during on-site visits from client auditors and/or regulatory agency inspectors.
• Meet all reasonable client expectations (conveyed by Study Directors or management) as these pertain to animal availability and priority testing.
• Participate in creating and maintaining an atmosphere of cleanliness and teamwork throughout the vivarium.
• Order, requisition, receive and store feed, miscellaneous animal care supplies, and animals according to applicable PBL SOPs.
• Feed and water all animals in the colony daily according to applicable PBL SOPs.
• Sanitize animal cages, racks, and water bottles according to applicable PBL SOPs.
• Prepare cleaning solutions (used to sanitize animal rooms), and periodic cleaning and disinfecting of animal rooms, including bedding changes for all animals, according to applicable PBL SOPs.
• Maintain proper animal records according to applicable PBL SOPs.
• Consistently operate in compliance with GMP/GLP regulations as these pertain to studies involving animal care.
• Participate in training of incoming animal care staff.
• Participate in facility maintenance projects (e.g. cage repair, environmental control/monitoring, etc.).
• Participate in other tasks or special projects as needed to provide appropriate animal care and high-quality service to technical staff.

Requirements

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Experience with laboratory animal husbandry procedures preferred.

SKILLS

• Basic language and communication skills required. Must be able to clearly communicate with management and co-workers regarding job priorities and responsibilities on a daily basis.
• Must be able to cooperate well with others and work as part of a team. Must be capable of working with persons from diverse backgrounds.
• Job requires optimal use of hands, arms, and legs.
• Must be able to lift objects weighing up to 35 lbs.
• Must be able to work in close proximity to laboratory animals (including mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs). Must be tolerant of animal odors.
• Must be able to withstand prolonged physical activity (walking, standing, bending, repetitive motion) for up to three hours at a time, and for up to eight hours on a given day.
• Must be flexible in work hours including weekends and holidays

The pay range for this position is $23.00 to $26.00 per hour. The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. This position will be eligible for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k, and other benefits.

PBL is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. PBL considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veterans’ status, or any other legally protected factors.