Animal Technician I: Care, Cagewash & Facility Ops

UW Advancement Careers; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

UW Advancement Careers is seeking an Animal Technician 1 to support animal care, cagewash, and facility operations at the UW facility in Seattle. Responsibilities include daily animal care, health checks, sanitation, record-keeping, and adherence to SOPs and safety protocols.

The role requires physical ability, English communication, and a valid Washington driver’s license; expect a Friday–Tuesday schedule with some weekend work and a collaborative, research-focused environment in a biohazard

Qualifications

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to read, write, and communicate in English.
• Experience with animals and/or in a research facility preferred.

Responsibilities

• Animal Care & Husbandry (60%)
• Perform and document daily animal health checks; identify and report illness or abnormalities
• Perform routine husbandry: cage changes, housing, feed, water, enrichment
• Wean or separate animals; handle, restrain, weigh, and sex common laboratory animals
• Determine daily animal census
• Provide food and water (including specialized diets); document administration and consumption; report deviations
• Maintain separation of animals with different health or experimental statuses; avoid cross contamination
• Provide husbandry in biocontainment or bioexclusion areas (ABSL2, ABSL2+, isolation, quarantine, Helicobacter free rooms)
• Monitor and record room environmental parameters; report deviations
• Assist with delivery of animals to the facility and transport within the facility
• Maintain detailed and accurate written and electronic records and logs
• Follow all SOPs and guidelines for animal care, cagewash, and facility operations
• Communicate animal care issues to research personnel, supervisors, and coworkers
• Maintain appropriate communication with research personnel
• Attend staff meetings and continuing education sessions
• Sanitation, Cagewash & Facility Maintenance (20%)
• Follow SOPs, Working Guidelines, and related documents for cagewash, animal care, and housing
• Prepare clean cages and enclosures for a wide variety of animals
• Clean/sanitize animal use areas: walls, floors, ceilings, windows, food prep rooms
• Perform general custodial duties (sweeping, mopping, waste transport)
• Dispose of animal carcasses per facility, state, and federal requirements
• Assist with basic cagewash duties (autoclaves, rack washers, tunnel washers)
• Operate machinery (change stations, floor scrubbers, animal racks)
• Maintain equipment (ventilated racks, laminar flow stations, biological safety cabinets) and premises to standards
• Logistics, Supplies & Operational Support (20%)
• Monitor inventory levels; stock and maintain supplies; initiate supply and equipment orders
• Occasionally operate departmental vehicles (car and box truck)
• Perform related duties as required

Skills

English communication

Physical strength

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Record keeping

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Autoclaves

Tunnel washers

Rack washers

Box truck

Driver's license

Job description

UW Advancement Careers is seeking an Animal Technician 1 to support animal care, cagewash, and facility operations at the UW facility in Seattle. Responsibilities include daily animal care, health checks, sanitation, record-keeping, and adherence to SOPs and safety protocols.

The role requires physical ability, English communication, and a valid Washington driver’s license; expect a Friday–Tuesday schedule with some weekend work and a collaborative, research-focused environment in a biohazard