Animal Caretaker I & II

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

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical, dental, and vision

Paid time off

11 Paid Holidays

Tuition remission for employees and-de

Job summary

Temple University’s Central Animal Facilities Department is seeking an Animal Caretaker I or II to provide exemplary care and husbandry for laboratory animals. The role includes lead duties in procurement, front-end billing, staff training, and project management to support research, teaching, and compliance with animal care policies.

The position emphasizes daily animal health checks, proper sanitation, detailed recordkeeping, and adherence to ULAR SOPs and IACUC guidelines while ensuring high

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required for Animal Caretaker I.
• Animal Caretaker II requires 4.5 years of related experience with rodents and USDA species or 3 years with rodents and USDA species plus ALAT certification.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Follow ULAR SOPs, IACUC policies, safety procedures and QA standards.
• Perform daily animal health checks and ensure animals have food and water.
• Change cage bedding and setup according to protocols and supervisor schedule.
• Record room logs, census data, and inventories as required by ULAR SOPs.
• Receive, identify, and house incoming animal shipments properly.
• Maintain and sanitize cages, enclosures, and related equipment.
• Operate cage washers, water delivery systems, and autoclaves.
• Assist investigators and ULAR staff with animal handling as requested.

Skills

Animal care

Husbandry

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or GED

AALAS ALAT certification (for II)

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.

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You may request a copy of the report by calling Temple University's Department of Public Safety at 215-204-7900