Animal Care Technician

University of Central Florida; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending

Employee Discounts

Education assistance

Paid time off

Retirement savings

Job summary

University of Central Florida is seeking an Animal Care Technician to support groundbreaking research by ensuring the health, safety, and well‑being of animals in our care. You will uphold high welfare standards and collaborate with veterinarians and researchers to observe, document, and communicate important findings.

The role requires a High School Diploma or equivalent with 2+ years of relevant experience or AALAS certification.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 2+ years of relevant experience; or certification as Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician or above by the Animal Association for Laboratory Animal Science; or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).
• Familiarity with animal treatment, care, and observation practices.
• Demonstrated ability to safely and confidently handle animals.
• Proficient computer skills with the ability to efficiently use software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to following established protocols, safety guidelines, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Associate degree in animal science, veterinary technology, or a related field.
• AALAS certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform all activities associated with the care of animals at the animal care facilities. Perform husbandry procedures daily.
• Observe health conditions and behavior of animals, report injuries and signs of disease and abnormal behavior to animal care management, Principal Investigator (PI), and attending veterinarian.
• Monitor environmental conditions and report changes.
• Perform routine treatments as prescribed by the attending veterinarian. Provide assistance in animal care procedures.
• Maintain cleanliness of work area and quality and safety standards.
• Operate specialized equipment including ventilated rack system, cage washer, and autoclaves.
• Assist weekend and holiday operations and be on‑call to advise and resolve issues.
• On‑call as Essential Personnel and available for work during emergency events, i.e. hurricanes.
• Attend animal care training as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Animal care

Observation skills

Safety protocols

Computer skills

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

AALAS Certification

Tools

Office Suite

Job description

The Opportunity:

As an Animal Care Technician at the University of Central Florida (UCF), you will play a vital role in supporting groundbreaking research by ensuring the health, safety, and well‑being of the animals in our care. Working at the intersection of science and compassion, you will uphold the highest standards of animal welfare in compliance with federal, state, and university guidelines and policies. This role also collaborates closely with animal care management, attending veterinarians, and researchers to observe, document, and communicate the findings that keep our research moving forward.

Responsibilities:

• Perform all activities associated with the care of animals at the animal care facilities. Perform husbandry procedures daily. Abide by all guidelines from the guide for the care and use of lab animals and AAALAC standards for excellence.
• Observe health conditions and behavior of animals, report injuries and signs of disease and abnormal behavior to animal care management, Principal Investigator (PI), and attending veterinarian.
• Monitor environmental conditions and report changes.
• Perform routine treatments as prescribed by the attending veterinarian. Provide assistance in animal care procedures.
• Maintain cleanliness of work area and quality and safety standards.
• Operate specialized equipment including ventilated rack system, cage washer, and autoclaves.
• Assist weekend and holiday operations and be on‑call to advise and resolve issues.
• On‑call as Essential Personnel and available for work during emergency events, i.e. hurricanes.
• Attend animal care training as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma or Equivalent and 2+ years of relevant experience; or certification as Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician or above by the Animal Association for Laboratory Animal Science; or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven experience working with animals in a veterinary, research, shelter, or similar environment.
• Familiarity with animal treatment, care, and observation practices.
• Demonstrated ability to safely and confidently handle animals.
• Proficient computer skills with the ability to efficiently use software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment.
• Exceptional eye for detail and keen observation skills to ensure accuracy in all duties.
• Commitment to following established protocols, safety guidelines, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
• Associate degree in animal science, veterinary technology, or a related field.
• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification preferred.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

This position may alternate work locations between UCF's two facilities at Lake Nona and the Main Campus: UCF Lake Nona Research Facility located at 6900 Lake Nona Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32827 and UCF Main Campus Facility located at 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL 32816.

Position requires a valid Class E driver's license. The position may involve driving to various locations on and off campus to conduct University business.

The anticipated hourly pay rate for this position is $15.66- $18.79. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.

All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H1B transfers or employment‑based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next‑generation public research university and Forbes‑ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 12 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays
• Retirement savings options
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions
• Education assistance
• And more...For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide.

Dive into our Total Rewards Calculator to discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

PursuanttoFlorida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research‑related positions, UCFis required toconductadditionalscreening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

Theadditionalscreening requirements only apply to research‑related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds,postdoctoralpositions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Office of Research - Operations

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday; 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Schedule may vary as required and can include weekends, holidays, and during university closures.

Type of Appointment

Regular

Expected Salary

$15.66 to Negotiable

Job Posting End Date

09-07-2026-12-00-AM

Veteran's Preference:

Preference will be given to eligible veterans and their eligible spouses in accordance with Chapter 295 of the Florida Statutes. Applicants claiming preference are responsible for providing required documentation by the closing date of the position. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://hr.ucf.edu/files/VeteransPreference.pdf

The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke‑free campus and an E‑Verify employer.

For general application or posting questions, please email [e-mail].

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please email [e-mail].