Animal Technician 1

wsu; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State University Pullman is seeking an Animal Technician 1 to join the Integrated Vivarium Services Unit. You will care for, monitor, handle, and feed animals and perform custodial duties across multiple campus facilities, following detailed instructions with strong attention to detail.

This 100% FTE position requires occasional travel to pick up animal shipments from regional airports (Pullman, Lewiston, Spokane) and may entail weekend or holiday work.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 18 years of age or older.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver's license.
• Must be able to travel, drive distance, to pick up animal shipments from airports (Pullman, Lewiston, or Spokane).
• Must be able to drive a 1-ton lift gate truck with manual transmission.
• Must be able to wear respiratory protective equipment as required.
• Must be able to work a rotating schedule including weekends, after hours and holidays.
• This is an essential position; report to work under conditions others may not.

Responsibilities

• Care for, monitor, handle, and feed animals and perform custodial duties across university facilities.
• Follow detailed instructions with strong attention to detail in animal care.
• Support vivarium users within the Integrated Vivarium Services Unit (IVS) at WSU Pullman.

Skills

Physical ability

Reading & writing

Age 18+

Valid driver’s license

Travel for shipments

Operate 1-ton lift gate

Respiratory PPE

Rotating schedule

No scented products

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on: September 24, 2026.

Available Title(s):

525E-YN_CS_NPS - Animal Technician 1

Business Title:

Animal Technician 1

Employee Type:

Classified

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

As an Animal Technician 1 , you will work as part of a dedicated animal care team to perform routine tasks related to the care, monitoring, handling, and feeding of animals, as well as custodial duties within multiple university animal facilities. This role will require you to follow detailed instructions, communicate effectively, and maintain strong attention to detail in all aspects of animal care. You will support vivarium users within the Integrated Vivarium Services Unit (IVS) at WSU Pullman. You will be responsible for periodically driving distances to pick up animal shipments from regional airports. i.e. Pullman, Lewiston, or Spokane. This is an essential position, and you will be expected to report to work under conditions that other employees are not required to report to work, such as inclement weather and WSU suspended operations.

The Office of the Campus Veterinarian supports humane and ethical care and treatment of animals involved in research and education at WSU. The OCV Integrated Vivarium Services provides daily care of animals in several facilities located on the WSU Pullman campus. The professional animal care technicians provide care, custodial support, husbandry, technical services and research support. This recruitment is for a 100% FTE (fulltime permanent) position. Expectation on hours to be worked for this position would be Monday - Friday; between the hours of 7 AM - 5 PM. Weekend and Holiday hours on a rotating bases is also required.

To support WSU's ability to attract talent in a competitive job market, this recruitment has been approved for a hiring incentive payment of up to $1,500.00. More information regarding the hiring incentive payment program can be located on the HRS website: Hiring Incentive - Human Resource Services, Washington State University (wsu.edu) .

Additional Information:

This is a full-time ( 100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime eligible.

Monthly Salary:

$3,195 to $4,201 | Range 34 (Steps A-M) | Successful candidates are typically hired at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with WAC 357-28 .

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110 , the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits:

• WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Classified staff and Total Compensation .

Required Qualifications:

• Physical ability to do required work; ability to read and write.
• 18 years of age or older.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver's license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.
• Must be able to travel, drive distance, to pick up animal shipments from airports. i.e. Pullman, Lewiston, or Spokane.
• Must be able to drive a 1-ton lift gate truck with manual transmission.
• Must be able to wear respiratory protective equipment, if necessary, based on research needs, occupational health and safety requirements, and requirements set by WSU bio-safety officer.
• Must abstain from wearing scented products or using scented products at work due to the sensitivity of the animals and research.
• Must be able to work a rotating schedule that could include weekends, after hours and holidays as needed and directed by supervisor.
• This is an essential position, and the employee will be expected to report to work under conditions that other employees are not required to report to work, such as inclement weather and WSU suspended operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior husbandry experience with a wide range of animal species and working with animals in a research or teaching institution.
• Experience managing rodent breeding colonies
• AALAS Certification at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician level or higher.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility:

Not eligible for work visa sponsorship.

About The Office of the Campus Veterinarian - Office of the Campus Veterinarian

Area/College: Office of Research - Area 35

Department Name: Office of the Campus Veterinarian

Location: WSU Pullman, WA