Animal Care Technician

PeopleAdmin, Inc.; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Life Insurance

Retirement Programs

Paid Tuition

Dependent Scholarships

Annual Leave

Sick Leave

13 Paid Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

University of South Carolina's Animal Resource Facility seeks an Animal Care Technician to perform a range of husbandry duties, observe animal health, and ensure proper documentation. The role supports research operations at the Columbia campus and requires adherence to SOPs and regulatory guidelines.

The position is full-time, 37.5 hours per week, with a 12-month basis and a schedule that includes Monday–Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and rotating weekends.

Qualifications

• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• A working knowledge of common symptoms of disease in laboratory animals preferred.
• Ability to handle and restrain a variety of animals.
• Considerable knowledge of environmental and nutritional requirements for laboratory animals, must possess ability to successfully complete certification requirements.
• Conduct business lawfully and ethically by consistently adhering to compliance policies, procedures and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Completes scheduled husbandry procedures to provide clean cages for laboratory animals.
• Properly handles and restrains various species of laboratory animal for cage changing and euthanasia.
• Documents all animal care activities as they are completed including animal observations, daily census counts, sanitation activities, animal health findings, etc.
• Performs preventive maintenance tasks and properly operates cage wash and other sanitation equipment.
• Responsible for maintaining appropriate training required to perform duties as an agricultural/animal assistant I.

Skills

Follow instructions

Animal health awareness

Animal handling

Environmental knowledge

Compliance and ethics

Education

No specific education or experience required

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by April 18, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Professional Development Opportunities

• Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and rotating weekends
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Basis

Basis 12 months

Job Search Category

Job Search Category Other

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Posting Summary Logo Posting Number STA00130PO26 Job Family Research Job Function Animal Care USC Market Title Animal Care Technician Link to USC Market Title https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/133650 Job Level A0 - Administrative/Operational Support Business Title (Internal Title) Animal Care Technician Campus Columbia Work County Richland College/Division Office of Research Department OOR Animal Research State Pay Range G04 USC Market Range MRA - $33,280 $40,768 $48,256 Anticipated Hiring Range $33,280 - $40,768 Location of Vacancy Columbia, SC Part/Full Time Full Time Hours per Week 37.5 Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and rotating weekends
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Basis 12 months

Job Search Category Other

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities. Benefits for FTE Positions The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Position Description Advertised Job Summary Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of semi-routine and diversified duties in the care and management of research animals for the Animal Resource Facility of the University of South Carolina.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• No specific education or experience required.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials Preferred Qualifications

• Prefer training and/or experience in animal care.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• A working knowledge of common symptoms of disease in laboratory animals preferred.
• Ability to handle and restrain a variety of animals.
• Considerable knowledge of environmental and nutritional requirements for laboratory animals, must possess ability to successfully complete certification requirements.
• Conduct business lawfully and ethically by consistently adhering to compliance policies, procedures and regulations.

Job Duties Job Duty Completes scheduled husbandry procedures to provide clean cages for laboratory animals. Properly handles and restrains various species of laboratory animal for cage changing and euthanasia. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 40 Job Duty Completes all animal health observations and addresses or reports all findings. Provides fresh food and water as required in prescribed SOPs. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 25 Job Duty Documents all animal care activities as they are completed including animal observations, daily census counts, sanitation activities, animal health findings, etc. Verifies that all activities have been documented as complete and reports any activities not completed on schedule. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15 Job Duty Performs preventive maintenance tasks and properly operates cage wash and other sanitation equipment. Cleans and sanitizes animal rooms and facilities by sweeping, mopping, replaces or cleans room and equipment filter, wipe down walls, polishes sinks, dusts, and cleans vents. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15 Job Duty Responsible for maintaining appropriate training required to perform duties as an agricultural/animal assistant I. Refers daily to SOP manual to ensure proper procedures are followed. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5 Position Attributes Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive No Hazardous weather category Essential Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Job Open Date 03/05/2026 Job Close Date 04/18/2026 Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions to Applicant Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by April 18, 2026. The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

EEO Statement The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV /AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a high school diploma?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you able and willing to handle laboratory rodents on a daily basis?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Letter of Recommendation 1
• Letter of Recommendation 2
• Letter of Recommendation 3
• Resume
• List of References and Contact Information