Animal Care Technician I - Jupiter, FL

Palm Beach North Chamber; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 18,752 - 26,708; Part time

Job summary

The Palm Beach North Chamber is seeking an Animal Care Technician 1 to provide basic care of animals and maintain animal facilities in compliance with ARC SOPs. Duties include routine animal caretaking, cage wash operations, and sanitation tasks.

Applicants are required to have a high school diploma and will undergo a health assessment. Candidates with relevant experience in research animal care or holding an AALAS ALAT certification are preferred. Pay will be $16.50 per hour, ensuring compliance with safety policies.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Health assessment to be completed before employment.
• Preferred: HS degree or at least one year’s experience in research animal care.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine animal care and cage wash duties.
• Operate cleaning equipment and perform maintenance on machinery jobs.
• Sanitize animal support facilities and process waste stream correctly.
• Assist in requesting, receiving, and rotating supplies.

Skills

Basic animal care

Cage sanitation

Equipment operation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Cage wash equipment

Autoclave

Job description

Job Description

The Animal Care Technician 1 (ACT1) provides basic care of animals and animal facilities by completing primarily simple and routine animal caretaking and cage wash duties as directed by Operations Manager or their designee, which may occur up to 50% of the overall job duties and responsibilities. All actions are completed by strictly and consistently following applicable ARC SOPs including safety procedures and policies. Reports any suspected or actual deviations to SOPs or non-routine situations immediately to Operations Manager or their designee.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

• Responsible for carrying out the Animal Resources Center (ARC) directives and SOPs as governed by the Animal Welfare Act and all applicable rules and regulations.
• Assigned to cage wash operations and perform routine duties associated with cage sanitation, inspection and preparation for reuse in a research setting.
• Operate cage wash equipment and perform assigned cleaning and preventive maintenance on machinery, including routine start-up and shut down procedures.
• Operate autoclave to sterilize or decontaminate caging equipment.
• May provide guidance and instruction to cage wash trainees following directives provided by operational manager.
• Process soiled bedding exposed to potentially hazardous chemicals correctly to the proper waste stream.
• Ensure equipment exposed to biohazards is processed following strict guidelines.
• Ensure all trash and disposable items are discarded in the appropriate waste stream, as dictated by UF Environmental Health & Safety or ARC SOPs.
• Sanitize equipment and animal support facilities (storage rooms and hallways).
• Collect swabs and Biological Indicators and deliver samples for assessment of sanitizing/sterilizing efficacy to Operational Manager.
• Assist in requesting, receiving, and rotating bedding and other supplies.
• Transport caging supplies between clean storage areas and cage washrooms.
• Keep up to date on SOPs in Policy Manager and other required trainings using facility computers during normal working hours.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Expected Salary

$16.50 per hour.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Health Assessment Required: Yes.

Preferred

• HS degree or higher with at least one year’s experience with research animal care at a research institution or other appropriate environment.
• AALAS ALAT certification.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Florida is a member of the State University System of Florida and an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit.