Animal Caretaker

Arena Technical Resources, LLC (ATR); Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking dedicated Animal Caretakers to support vital research efforts. In this role, you will provide humane care and treatment for research animals, ensuring their well-being in various containment areas. Your responsibilities will include animal husbandry, monitoring health conditions, and maintaining compliance with standard operating procedures. This position offers the chance to contribute to significant research initiatives while working in a collaborative environment. If you have a passion for animal care and a commitment to excellence, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• ALAT certification required within 18 months of start date.
• 2+ years of animal husbandry experience in research settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide humane care and treatment of research animals.
• Conduct daily cage counts and ensure proper animal identification.
• Monitor animal conditions and report any abnormalities.

Skills

Animal Husbandry

Problem Solving

Attention to Detail

Communication

Education

Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification

Tools

Animal Husbandry Equipment

Job description

Our client is seeking experienced Animal Caretakers to support the
United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases
(USAMRIID). USAMRIID's mission is to provide leading-edge medical
capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological
threat agents. Each Animal Caretaker 3 works within a team to provide
humane care and treatment of research animals. The Animal Caretaker 3
provides animal husbandry support in Quarantine, Barrier, ABSL-2,
ABSL-3, and ABSL-4 animal care and use areas. The Animal Caretaker 3
shall independently select and apply appropriate procedures for the
supported tasks. The Animal Caretaker 3 shall assist in providing
non-routine care, supporting changes in procedure, and addressing
problems. In addition, the Animal Caretaker 3 shall assist or
independently perform glassware/cagewash support tasks.

Schedule: Full-time. Variable hours to include weekends, holidays, and
emergencies as requested.

Duties:

1. Contract Employee shall provide animal care and husbandry to the
   animals during experimental and non-experimental periods IAW SOPs
   and/or protocol. This includes, but is not limited to,
   cleaning/sanitizing the micro- and macroenvironment; transferring
   animals between cages/restraint devices/jump boxes; providing
   environmental enrichment; housing animals in appropriate size and
   types of cages; monitoring animals and reporting/documenting
   abnormal conditions or treatment failures; and ensuring food/water
   are available IAW SOPs or protocol. Contract Employees shall work
   independently IAW SOPs and apply practical knowledge and technical
   expertise to resolve problems independently and in cooperation with
   other personnel. Contract Employees shall report any SOP deviations
   to the Contract PM as soon as practicable.
2. Contract Employee shall receive, exam, verify (i.e., determine sex),
   move to designated room and house of all incoming laboratory animals
   IAW SOPs and/or protocol.
3. Contract Employee shall conduct daily cage counts and weekly head
   counts to the Contract PM IAW SOPs.
4. Contract Employee shall ensure all animals are properly identified
   and associated with specific experiments IAW SOPs.
5. Contract Employee shall transport animals within the facility or
   to/from other facilities IAW SOPs.
6. Contract Employee shall ensure proper room designations and entry
   procedures and update room entry order IAW SOPs.
7. Contract Employee shall operate animal husbandry equipment and
   document operations IAW SOPs.
8. Contract Employee shall store animal husbandry equipment and
   supplies IAW SOPs.
9. Contract Employee shall observe and document temperature, humidity
   and light levels within animal care and use areas IAW SOPs and
   report excursions to the Contract PM immediately.

Clearance Requirements:

Ability to obtain and maintain a security
clearance, if required by the facility or research project. Must meet
all requirements for the BPRP to access ABSL-3 and ABSL-4 containment
areas. T3 investigation (NACLC/ANACI is acceptable if completed within 5
years prior to enrollment). A favorably adjudicated SECRET security
clearance eligibility, with no access to classified, is required.

Qualifications:

1. Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification or
   higher, as defined by the American Association of Laboratory Animal
   Sciences (AALAS), is required prior to or within eighteen (18)
   months of start date.
2. At least two (2) years' animal husbandry experience in support of
   non-human primates (NHPs) in a research setting is required.
3. Experience with rodents, swine, rabbits, and ferrets in a research
   setting is highly desirable.
4. Experience in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) is desirable.
5. Work requires continuous standing and walking on concrete or hard
   surfaced floors, climbing, working in a bent position, and carrying
   materials up to 50 pounds. Greater strength, effort, and agility are
   required in the handling, capturing, and restraining of the
   stronger, more active animals.
6. Contract Employees must enroll in and meet the Biological Personnel
   Reliability Program (BPRP) and Select Agent requirements IAW Army
   Regulation 190-17.

Benefits:

The McConnell Group offers a comprehensive benefits program,
including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), and a range
of other voluntary benefits. Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular
full-time employees.