Animal Care Technician

University of Connecticut; Storrs (CT); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Connecticut is seeking an Animal Care Technician at the Storrs Campus to provide comprehensive care for laboratory animals and their environment. This permanent, full-time role runs 37.5 hours/week, typically Monday–Friday, 7:00am–3:00pm, with occasional weekends and overtime during emergencies.

Responsibilities include feeding, cleaning, exams, medications as supervised, record-keeping, and assisting with surgical procedures.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of animal care requirements, housing and basic disease prevention.
• Interpersonal and written/oral communication abilities.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and use computer software.
• Physical ability for handling animals, equipment and lifting tasks.

Responsibilities

• Feed and water animals;
• Clean and sanitize cages and animal rooms;
• Assist with routine examinations and lab tests as required;
• Monitor animal shipments and health;
• Assist with medications and injections under supervision;
• Support during surgical or experimental procedures;
• Maintain records and reports;
• Perform related duties as required.

Skills

Animal care

Interpersonal skills

Written & oral comms

Follow instructions

Computer skills

Manual dexterity

Education

One year animal care experience

ALAT certification substitution

Two-year college + animal care experience

Job description

Work type: Full-time
Location: UConn Storrs
Categories: Maintenance and Trades

University of Connecticut, Animal Care, Storrs Campus

Salary Range: $49,613 - $64,944 (Individuals new to state service start at the minimum of the pay plan)

The State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut's Animal Care Department has one job opening for an Animal Care Technician at the Storrs Campus. This is a permanent, full-time, 37.5 hours/week position. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00am through 3:00pm, with occasional weekend shifts. The hourly rate of pay is $25.35 and is non-negotiable for those new to State employment.

This position is categorized as Emergency Support Services/Essential Staff. The individual in this role must be willing to work during emergency closures/delayed openings due to inclement weather or for significant events that effect campus operations. Applicants must also be willing to respond to emergencies on overtime (nights, weekends, holidays).

SELECTION PLAN

This position is categorized as "Open to the Public." Current, qualified UConn NP-2 employees will be given preference in the hiring process.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening and must specify your qualifications on your application. Applications will be evaluated to ensure that the Knowledge, Skill and Ability, Minimum Qualifications and Special Requirement sections of the position have been meet. Please also be sure to demonstrate how you meet any of the preferred qualifications that you may have. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted.

• At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be contacted via email and provided with an opportunity to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring department. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.
• If selected for an interview, you will be asked to supply the names, titles and phone numbers of three professional, work related references. In addition, current State of Connecticut employees at UConn or other State Agencies, may be asked to provide copies of their last two (2) performance appraisals and CORE attendance records.
• Please regularly check your email provided on your application for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.

At the University of Connecticut and UConn Health this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks involved in the care of various species of laboratory animals and their environment.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Feeds and waters animals;
• Cleans and sanitizes cages, animal rooms and related environment as necessary;
• Performs routine physical examinations and laboratory tests and special handling techniques for researchers as required;
• Assess the status of animal shipments including identity, number of individuals, weight, health, etc.;
• Administers medications and gives injections under supervision;
• Identifies animals as to sex, species or strain;
• Provides support during surgical and experimental procedures;
• Observes and collects animal facilities operation data for accurate reports and required records;
• Reports findings to appropriate department staff;
• May breed and wean animals;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of animal care requirements, including animal facilities and husbandry regulations and basic animal disease problems and prevention techniques;
• Skills
• interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
• follow oral and written instructions;
• utilize computer software;
• Manual dexterity and physical ability sufficient for handling animals, feeds, supplies and equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of animal care experience directly related to the maintenance of the health and wellbeing of laboratory animals to include care, use, handling, and/or treatment of laboratory animals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• Certification by the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science at the level of Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician may be substituted for the General Experience.
• A college degree of two (2) or more years and one-half (1/2) year of animal care experience directly related to the maintenance of health and wellbeing of laboratory animals to include care, use, handling and/or treatment of laboratory animals may be substituted for the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents may be required to possess a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) diploma.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated attention to detail, reliability, and communication.
• Demonstrated experience working with various groups within the department and University.
• Demonstrated animal welfare judgement and documentation discipline.
• Certification by the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the level of Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties.
• A physical examination may be required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift moderate to heavy weights; may be exposed to communicable diseases, hazardous substances and to risk of injury from animals.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

This job posting is anticipated to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on November 18, 2026.

Information concerning the University’s policies regarding the Cleary Act Statement, Non-Discrimination Policy, Accommodations for Applicants with Disabilities, and Recruiting Veterans can be found on UConn’s Job page. Please review the required notices and policy statements.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities, veteran’s status, status as a victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and/or trafficking in persons as defined by Connecticut law, prior conviction of a crime, workplace hazards to the reproductive systems, or gender identity or expression.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer including for Disability and Veteran status.

Advertised: Nov 04 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: Nov 18 2026 Eastern Standard Time