Animal Caretaker

Astrix; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrix is seeking an Animal Caretaker in Philadelphia to care for our animal colony and support investigators in a vivarium setting. You will perform daily health checks, assist with animal husbandry, handling, and enrichment, and help ensure compliance with SOPs.

The role requires a High School Diploma, good English communication, basic computer skills, and the ability to lift and manage equipment as needed. This is a contract-to-hire opportunity with steady on-site work in Philadelphia.

Qualifications

• General background in animal care or research training preferred.
• High School Diploma is required.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work independently to perform required tasks and recognize operational problems.
• Good communication skills and fluency in English.
• Basic computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Performs daily animal health checks and reports any abnormal animal conditions to the veterinary technician and /or Area Supervisor.
• Disposes of dead animals following standard SOPs and policies.
• Changes animal caging, to include feed and water, according to SOPs and/or specific approved protocols and the schedule established by the Area Supervisor.
• Sexes and weans animals according the SOPs.
• Maintains daily animal census sheets, room equipment and status form sheets, and other forms requested by the Area Supervisor.
• Cleans and sanitizes animal facility, assigned rooms and cages according to SOPs.
• Maintains and repairs animal caging and support equipment.
• Receives, examines, transfers, identifies and properly houses incoming animal shipments according to SOPs.
• Assist with the restraint, handling and manipulation of various animal species as requested by the investigators.
• Perform routine cleaning, descaling, and preventative maintenance on the cage washers and autoclaves, including checking and cleaning filters and spray manifolds.
• Process clean caging and accessory equipment appropriately, including putting bedding into cages and autoclaving cages and supplies.

Skills

Good communication skills

Fluency in English

Basic computer skills

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Pay Rate Low: 20 | Pay Rate High: 22

Title: Animal Caretaker

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Contract to Hire

The Vivarium Animal Facility is looking to hire a Animal Caretaker to take care of our animal colony. The team's responsibilities include clinical veterinary services, animal husbandry, animal procurement, animal enrichment, investigator support, training, and compliance oversight.

Duties Include

• Performs daily animal health checks and reports any abnormal animal conditions to the veterinary technician and /or Area Supervisor.
• Disposes of dead animals following standard SOPs and policies.
• Changes animal caging, to include feed and water, according to SOPs and/or specific approved protocols and the schedule established by the Area Supervisor.
• Sexes and weans animals according the SOPs.
• Maintains daily animal census sheets, room equipment and status form sheets, and other forms requested by the Area Supervisor.
• Cleans and sanitizes animal facility, assigned rooms and cages according to SOPs.
• Maintains and repairs animal caging and support equipment.
• Receives, examines, transfers, identifies and properly houses incoming animal shipments according to SOPs.
• Assist with the restraint, handling and manipulation of various animal species as requested by the investigators.
• Perform routine cleaning, descaling, and preventative maintenance on the cage washers and autoclaves, including checking and cleaning filters and spray manifolds.
• Process clean caging and accessory equipment appropriately, including putting bedding into cages and autoclaving cages and supplies.

Requirements

• General background in animal care or research training preferred
• High School Diploma is required
• Must be self-motivated and able to work independently to perform required tasks and recognize operational problems
• Good communication skills and fluency in English
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to handle the physical requirements of the position (e.g., repetitive motions, lifting 6-liter (12 lb.) tanks of water, extended periods of standing, walking, and sitting)

This job description is a complete list of all desired skills, but not all are required. We strongly encourage candidates who have some of the skills to apply. We look forward to a conversation to learn more about you!