Animal Care Technician

Altasciences Company; Scranton (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)/RRSP with Employer Match

Paid vacation and holidays

Paid sick and bereavement leave

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Altasciences in Scranton is hiring an Animal Care Technician I to provide daily care for research animals, ensure welfare, and support vivarium operations. The role involves handling multiple species, maintaining housing, and documenting observations with accuracy.

The position requires basic education with training provided, a strong commitment to animal welfare, and the ability to work independently and in a team. Weekend rotations are included to cover animal care needs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; related science degree preferred.
• ALAT certification is a plus, or willingness to obtain.
• Experience with animals is beneficial but training provided.
• Strong commitment to animal welfare.

Responsibilities

• Providing routine animal husbandry, including feeding, watering, sanitation, enrichment, bedding changes, and daily health observations.
• Handling, restraining, and interacting with animals in a professional, compassionate, and humane manner.
• Monitoring animal health and behavior, identifying abnormalities, and promptly reporting concerns to veterinary or supervisory staff.
• Maintaining clean, safe, and comfortable housing environments that promote animal well‑being.
• Receiving, transferring, and assigning animals to housing or study locations with accurate documentation.
• Observing environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, lighting, and ventilation to ensure optimal care.
• Supporting animal welfare programs and ensuring compliance with protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Performing cage changes and assisting with routine animal room maintenance.

Skills

Animal care

Observation skills

Teamwork

Communication

Detail‑oriented

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate's or Bachelor's in Animal Science or related field preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About The Role

Do you have a passion for animal welfare and a desire to play a meaningful role in advancing scientific research? As an Animal Care Technician I , you will be responsible for providing daily husbandry and care for a variety of research animals while ensuring their health, comfort, and well‑being. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who enjoy working directly with animals and want to build a career in laboratory animal science.

In this role, you'll be an essential member of the vivarium team, helping to maintain high standards of animal welfare, environmental quality, and regulatory compliance. You'll work with a variety of species, including rodents, rabbits, dogs, swine, and non-human primates, while supporting critical research programs through exceptional animal care.

What You'll Do

As an Animal Care Technician, your primary focus will be the daily care, observation, and welfare of animals within our research facility. Responsibilities include:

• Providing routine animal husbandry, including feeding, watering, sanitation, enrichment, bedding changes, and daily health observations.
• Handling, restraining, and interacting with animals in a professional, compassionate, and humane manner.
• Monitoring animal health and behavior, identifying abnormalities, and promptly reporting concerns to veterinary or supervisory staff.
• Maintaining clean, safe, and comfortable housing environments that promote animal well‑being.
• Receiving, transferring, and assigning animals to housing or study locations while ensuring accurate documentation.
• Observing environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, lighting, and ventilation to ensure optimal animal care standards.
• Supporting animal welfare programs and ensuring compliance with established protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Performing cage changes and assisting with routine animal room maintenance.
• Operating cage wash and sanitation equipment to ensure animal housing and equipment meet cleanliness standards.
• Assisting with the movement of animals and supplies throughout the facility.
• Supporting veterinary, husbandry, and research teams as needed to ensure the highest quality care for all animals.
• Accurately documenting daily activities, observations, and procedures with attention to detail and data integrity.
• Participating in weekend and holiday animal care rotations to ensure continuous animal welfare coverage.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Biology, Veterinary Technology, or a related scientific field preferred.
• Previous experience working with animals is beneficial but not required; we provide training for motivated candidates who are eager to learn.
• ALAT certification is a plus, or a willingness to obtain certification as part of professional development.
• Strong commitment to animal welfare and ethical animal care practices.
• Ability to recognize and report changes in animal health, appearance, or behavior.
• Excellent observation skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast‑paced environment while maintaining accuracy and organization.
• Professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to high‑quality work.
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and a genuine interest in working with animals.

Why Join Us

• Work directly with animals and make a meaningful impact on their daily care and well‑being.
• Gain valuable experience in laboratory animal science and preclinical research.
• Develop hands‑on skills in husbandry, animal behavior observation, and regulatory compliance.
• Join a collaborative team dedicated to the highest standards of animal welfare and scientific excellence.
• Build a foundation for career growth within animal care, veterinary support, research operations, and laboratory animal science.

If you're passionate about animals, committed to compassionate care, and interested in supporting groundbreaking research, we'd love to hear from you.

Work Authorization & Sponsorship

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Altasciences is unable to provide sponsorship, sponsorship transfers, or visa maintenance for this position. All applicants must possess valid work authorization that does not require employer sponsorship now or in the future.

What We Offer

Altasciences offers a wide variety of benefits to help our employees live healthy and fulfilling lives both at and outside of work.

Benefits

Altasciences' Benefits Package Includes:

• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans
• 401(k)/RRSP with Employer Matc
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Paid Sick and Bereavement Leave
• Em