Animal Caretaker I & II

Temple University; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 51,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid time off

11 paid holidays

Tuition remission

Job summary

Temple University’s Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) seeks an Animal Caretaker I or II to provide exemplary care and support for research animals. The role includes lead duties in husbandry, procurement, front-end billing, and staff training to ensure high standards of nutrition, sanitation, and compliance with animal care policies.

The position requires HS/GED with animal-related experience for I, or more extensive rodent/USDA experience (with ALAT certification for II).

Qualifications

• High school/GED and six months of directly animal-related experience for Caretaker I.
• Caretaker II requires 4.5 years of related experience with rodents and USDA species or 3 years with rodents plus ALAT certification.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily animal health checks and report any abnormalities to veterinary staff.
• Change animal cages and provide feed and water per ULAR SOPs.
• Receive, examine, transfer and house incoming animal shipments per ULAR SOPs.
• Maintain daily records and logs including room census, cage cards and inventories.
• Clean and sanitize the animal facilities and equipment.
• Operate cage washers, Hydropac system and autoclaves.

Skills

Rodent handling

USDA species

Animal care

Education

High school/GED

4.5 years rodent/USDA experience OR 3 years + ALAT

Tools

Autoclaves

Cage washers

Hydropac system

Job description

Temple University's Central Animal Facilities Department is searching for an Animal Caretaker I or II.

Become a part of the Temple family, and you will have access to the following:

• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Tuition remission - eligible employees and their dependents can obtain a degree TUITION-FREE
• A generous retirement plan and so much more!
• PTEA Union Rate
• Animal Caretaker I (V12) $24.74
• Animal Caretaker II (V13) $26.41

Position Summary

The Animal Caretaker I and II position is based in Temple University's Laboratory Animal Resources Department (ULAR). The individual filling this position will be responsible for providing exemplary animal care, husbandry, customer service, and study support. The individual will also assume a lead husbandry role in animal procurement, front-end billing, staff training, and project management. will be responsible for ensuring good husbandry, nutrition, and sanitation of animals used for research, testing, and educational purposes. The individual is also responsible for monitoring compliance with institutional animal care and use policies and federal laws.

Required Education and Experience

• Animal Caretaker I- High school/GED and six months of directly animal-related experience.
• Animal Caretaker II-Highschool/GED and 4.5 years of directly related experience with rodents and USDA covered species OR 3 years directly related experience with rodents and USDA covered species AND AALAS ALAT certification.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work with and handle rodents, USDA-covered species, and other animal species involved in the Temple University animal program

Essential Duties

• Understand and follow all ULAR SOPs, IACUC policies and guidelines, safety procedures, and Quality Assurance Standards.
• Perform daily animal health checks and report any abnormal animal conditions to the veterinary staff. This is to include, ensuring all laboratory animals in their care always have food and water.
• Change animal caging to include feed and water, according to ULAR SOPs and/or specific approved protocols and the schedule established by the Area Supervisor.
• Determine age, sex, and weaning times for animals according to ULAR SOPs and IACUC policy.
• Dispose of dead animals according to standard SOPs and policies.
• Assist with the restraint, handling, and manipulation of various animal species as requested by the investigators or other ULAR staff members.
• Receive, examine, transfer, identify, and properly house incoming animal shipments according to ULAR SOPs.
• Maintain daily documentation to include room logs, animal census sheets, animal care and enrichment logs, room equipment logs, and other forms as requested by the Area Supervisor. This includes ensuring all animals are tagged and cages are properly identified.
• Clean and sanitize the animal facility, assigned rooms, and cages according to ULAR SOPs.
• Maintain and repair animal caging and support equipment.
• Operate mechanical equipment such as cage washing machines, the Hydropac water delivery system, and autoclaves.
• Perform routine cleaning, descaling, and preventative maintenance on the cage washers and autoclaves, including checking and cleaning filters, and spray manifolds.
• Process dirty caging to include breaking down parts, dumping bedding, and soaking caging components.
• Process clean caging and accessory equipment appropriately, including putting bedding into cages, filling water bottles, and autoclaving cages and supplies.
• Prepare and submit records, charts, logs, cage cards, and inventories as required by ULAR SOP's

Temple University:Temple University values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Compliance Statement

In the performance of their functions as detailed in the position description employees have an obligation to avoid ethical, legal, financial and other conflicts of interest to ensure that their actions and outside activities do not conflict with their primary employment responsibilities at the institution. Employees are also expected to understand and be in compliance with applicable laws, University and employment policies and regulations, including NCAA regulations for areas and departments which their essential functions cause them to interact.

Temple University's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains statistics, policies, and procedures related to campus safety. Go here to review. You may request a copy of the report by calling Temple University's Department of Public Safety at 215-204-7900