Animal Care Technician I

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kentucky is seeking an Animal Care Technician I to join the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR). This role supports routine animal care and facility operations for multiple species, ensuring safe, reliable daily activities through cage washing, documentation, and careful monitoring.

Responsibilities include cage washing, animal husbandry, recording observations, and maintaining compliance with SOPs.

Qualifications

• High school education (required)
• 1 year of related experience preferred
• Follows DLAR SOPs, safety procedures, and documentation practices.

Responsibilities

• Clean and sterilize cages, equipment, supplies, rooms, and animal enclosures per SOPs.
• Provide routine animal care: changing cages, feeding and watering per diets.
• Observe animals and document changes in behavior or health promptly.
• Receive, house, and transfer incoming rodents and small animal species with documentation.
• Maintain animal care checklists, room logs, and equipment records.
• Monitor cage wash equipment and report malfunctions to supervisor.
• Assist in training STEPS employees in cage wash and basic animal care.
• Follow DLAR SOPs and established work practices.

Skills

Dependability

Attention to detail

Organization

Documentation

Communication

Teamwork

Willingness to learn

Positive attitude

Professional development

Education

High school education

1 year related experience

Tools

MS Windows

Outlook

Job description

Click here for more information about equivalencies:

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

Requires heavy lifting, pushing or pulling of objects over 50 pounds; animal handling (including carcasses); risk of injuries from use of equipment on the job; exposure to temperature extremes, cuts/punctures, and bloodborne/airborne pathogens. Able to work in hot, wet areas and wear personal protective clothing.

Shift

Monday – Friday; 7:00 am – 3:30 pm (40 hours per week); This position is required to participate in weekend, after hours, Holiday and on-call rotations. Occasional mandatory overtime may be required to meet staffing needs. Must report during campus mandatory close.

Job Summary

Support high-quality animal care and research operations through consistent, attentive facility and animal care.

The University of Kentucky is seeking an Animal Care Technician I to join the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR).

This position performs routine animal care and facility care for mice and other rodents, non-human primates, pigeons, dogs, and other animal species while following DLAR standard operating procedures (SOPs). The role supports safe, reliable daily operations through cage washing, animal husbandry, accurate documentation, and careful monitoring of animals and their environments.

What You’ll Do

• Clean and sterilize cages, equipment, supplies, rooms, and animal enclosures while completing daily cage wash activities according to DLAR SOPs.
• Provide routine animal care, including changing cages and supplies, feeding and watering animals according to prescribed diets, and organizing feed, bedding, and other supplies.
• Observe animals and environmental conditions, accurately documenting and promptly reporting changes in behavior, health, temperature, humidity, lighting, or other conditions.
• Receive, house, and transfer incoming rodents and small animal species while verifying transfer and delivery documentation.
• Maintain animal care checklists, room logs, equipment records, washer and sterilizer quality assurance testing, and other required documentation.
• Monitor cage wash equipment and report washer, sterilizer, and other equipment malfunctions to the appropriate team lead or supervisor.
• Support the training of STEPS employees in cage wash activities and basic animal care and housing, as assigned.
• Follow applicable DLAR SOPs, safety procedures, attendance expectations, and established work practices.

What You’ll Bring

• Dependability and a consistent commitment to quality, safety, and established procedures.
• Strong attention to detail when caring for animals, monitoring conditions, and maintaining records.
• Effective organization, documentation, reporting, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and provide assistance to colleagues when needed.
• Willingness to learn animal species requirements, cage wash processes, equipment operation, and other job-specific procedures through training.
• A positive attitude and commitment to ongoing professional development.
• High school education
• 1 year of related experience

What’s In It for You

• Opportunities to build skills through department meetings, on-the-job training, species-specific training, and other DLAR -sponsored development activities.
• Experience working across DLAR facilities and developing skills in animal care, facility care, safety procedures, documentation, and quality assurance.

Why Now?

Consistent animal and facility care is essential to dependable research operations. This position helps ensure animals receive appropriate daily care, facilities and equipment remain ready for use, and required records are completed accurately and on time.

By following DLAR SOPs and promptly identifying changes in animal health, environmental conditions, or equipment performance, the Animal Care Technician I contributes to safe, consistent operations and responsible animal care.

Internal Employee Being Considered

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

MS Windows, Outlook

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

No

Preferred Education/Experience

6 months Previous Animal Care experience preferred

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 10/28/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.