Animal Caretaker I & II

Temple University; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 34,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

11 paid holidays

Tuition remission for employee and DEP

Generous retirement plan

PTEA Union Rate

Job summary

Temple University's Central Animal Facilities Department seeks an Animal Caretaker I or II to provide exemplary animal care and husbandry in the ULAR program. You will support study activities, monitor welfare, maintain records, and assist with procurement and training under supervision.

The role emphasizes compliance with IACUC and animal care policies, safe handling of rodents and species, and collaboration with veterinary staff and investigators to ensure high standards of care and accurate

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with relevant animal-related experience.
• AALAS ALAT certification preferred for advanced role.
• Ability to work with rodents and USDA species in a lab setting.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily animal health checks and ensure food and water for all lab animals.
• Maintain records such as room logs, census sheets, and inventory per ULAR SOPs.
• Handle and restrain various animal species as required by investigators.
• Assist with animal shipments, housing, and sanitation per protocols.

Skills

Rodent handling

USDA-covered species

Animal program compliance

Education

High school diploma or GED

AALAS ALAT certification

Job description

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

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

Benefits

• 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

Salary

Animal Caretaker I (V12) $24.74

Animal Caretaker II (V13) $26.31

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 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