Animal Technician 1

Washington State University; Pullman, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Vacation leave

Medical, dental, life and disability保险

Retirement

Deferred compensation

Training and development

Employee tuition waiver

Job summary

Washington State University is seeking an Animal Technician 1 to join the Integrated Vivarium Services unit in Pullman. You will provide daily care, feeding, handling, and custodial support for animals across IVS facilities, following established protocols and ensuring animal welfare.

The role includes occasional travel to pick up animal shipments, adherence to a rotating schedule including weekends and holidays, and compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Ability to read and write English; attention to detail is essential.
• Physical ability to perform required tasks and handle animals.
• Willingness to work a rotating schedule including weekends/holidays.
• Must be able to travel to regional airports to pick up shipments.

Responsibilities

• Care for and monitor animals; assist with feeding, handling, and custodial duties in IVS facilities.
• Follow detailed instructions and communicate effectively with the animal care team.
• Support vivarium users and provide research support as needed.
• Occasionally drive to airports to collect animal shipments (Pullman, Lewiston, Spokane).
• Report to work under conditions that may require emergency or after-hours coverage.

Skills

Reading & writing

Physical ability

Rotating schedule availability

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

1-ton lift gate truck

Job description

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

Job Details

Available Title(s): 525E-YN_CS_NPS - Animal Technician 1

Business Title: Animal Technician 1

Employee Type: Classified

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.

Salary

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

• 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
• employee tuition waiver

For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Classified staff and Total Compensation.

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

Background Check

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Employment Details

Time Type: Full time

Position Term: 12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities. WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [e-mail].

Institutional Information

WSU is Washington's land-grant university with campuses located in Everett, Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver. Additionally, research centers are located throughout the state, extension offices are located in every county in Washington, and online degree programs are offered worldwide. WSU employees promote academic excellence and innovative research that serves the state, nation, and world. With a focus on innovation, excellence, and accountability, continual enhancement of research and educational endeavors are at the core of WSU's strategic priorities. View the HRS Benefits website for details on competitive benefits available.

Non-Discrimination Notice

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract. Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both. More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/