Animal Care Technician

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Tuition benefits

Employee discounts

Job summary

A premier research university is seeking an Animal Care Technician to ensure the health and husbandry of laboratory animals. Responsibilities include observing animals, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring supplies are stocked. The ideal candidate has experience with animals, can lift 50 lbs, and follows oral and written instructions meticulously. Offers competitive pay and robust benefits including health coverage and career development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience working with animals, either in a lab or as personal pets.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and stand for long periods.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry and daily inspections.

Responsibilities

• Care for assigned animals following regulatory guidelines.
• Monitor animals for sickness and report any issues.
• Perform daily inspections and maintain cleanliness.

Skills

Animal handling

Ability to follow instructions

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Join to apply for the Animal Care Technician role at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Welcome to VCU … a world unlike any other! We combine learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive 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.

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

Duties & Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the position will be for the health, care and husbandry of animals under the direct care of the incumbent. You will be responsible for assigned animals, which each animal will be cared for humanely, following the guidelines established by the national regulatory agencies and the Division of Animal Resources. The incumbent must observe animals daily for sickness or signs of distress and immediately report any of these conditions to the reporting supervisor or the clinical veterinarian. Additionally, must perform daily inspections of the animal rooms for repairs and environmental needs and supply requirements. Must be familiar with disease control procedures and be able to handle animals accordingly; be able to perform weekly or as needed, cleaning assignments for areas outside of vivarium; be able to work with little or no supervision once trained on assigned tasks. Annual safety requirements will be completed to include; fit testing, TB testing and drug screening. Training will be provided for the following duties; how to dump soiled bedding into appropriate containers, and disposing of bags of soiled bedding; loading the cages into cage wash equipment; and unloading and stacking the clean cages.; and transporting the cages to cage preparation areas.

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 have some experience working with animals, either in laboratory or clinic, or have been responsible for personal pets.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs easily; to stand for long periods of time up to one hour; to interact with animals for long periods of time; to handle animals safely; to coexist with animals; 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; to observe and respond to situations in an appropriate manner.
• Individual needs to be able to work well with others and to meet deadlines..

Salary Range

$30,000-$33,000

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]