Animal Technician - Infectious Housing/Quarantine/BSL3 (ANML TCHN)

University of California - Davis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 77,366,000 - 91,320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision plans

Retirement plans

Paid holidays & PTO

CE allowance

Job summary

University of California - Davis is seeking a Laboratory Animal Technician to perform routine care for nonhuman primates in ABSL-2 and ABSL-3 environments, under supervision. Responsibilities include health monitoring, dosing, venipuncture, and sample collection to support PIs and study protocols.

The role requires handling animals in containment facilities, strict adherence to NIH/OLAW/AAALAC guidelines, and accurate record-keeping.

Qualifications

• Must be able to observe and assess health and behavior of nonhuman primates in containment areas.
• Experience handling animals in BSL-2/BSL-3 settings preferred.
• Ability to document findings accurately following GLP standards.

Responsibilities

• 55% Routine Animal Care as assigned in BASL areas.
• 35% Cage Change and Sanitation within primate housing facilities.
• 10% Develop Technical Skills and provide Experimental Assistance to research staff.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong relationship skills

Effective communication

Active listening

Collaborative attitude

Job description

Job Summary

Under supervision of the Animal Care Supervisor, perform routine animal care tasks in the infectious areas of the indoor colony and Quarantine (both ABSL 2 and 3 conditions) with duties that include observing animals for abnormal behavior, health monitoring, feeding animals, and cleaning animal rooms and cages. Provide routine animal care, technical and experimental project support services and study support services to research Principal Investigators (PIs), which includes performing technical laboratory animal procedures requiring various levels of biohazard containment in the indoor nonhuman primate colony, such as monitoring and assessing health associated with the colony's Infectious and Quarantine areas (includes BSL 3) preventative health program (morning/afternoon health management). Provide study support and technical services as required by research staff to include blood collection (venipuncture), dosing/administering IM injections, performing a variety of sample collections, and performing routine animal care tasks. The incumbent will work under minimal supervision in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, industry standards governing animal research (NIH/OLAW/ AAALAC) and all safety procedures according to NIH standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs).Familiarity with regulations, guidelines, and policies to ensure that animals are provided appropriate care to promote physical and psychological well-being and minimize discomfort. Employee is required to work with animals (nonhuman primates) that are either naturally or experimentally infected with potentially hazardous infectious agents such as HIV, SIV, Herpes B, ZIKA, influenza, Chikungunya Virus and Measles.

Apply By Date

October 13th 2026 by 11:59PM

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Certified at the Laboratory Animal Technician level or have completed an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) training from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (ASLAS) or equivalent experience with the goal to obtain certification within one year from date of hire.
• No Minimum education required
• Experience in performing all aspects of animal care and husbandry duties as an animal technician in biohazard containment procedures under Bio Safety Level (BSL) 2 or 3 conditions.
• Laboratory animal technical training and experience working with research animals such as nonhuman primates which includes experience capture and physical restraint, technical experience administering IM injections, dosing, performing venipuncture, sample collections, and recognizing changes in physical appearance or abnormal behavior of nonhuman primates.
• Must have applied experience and ability to handle laboratory animals in a manner that avoids injury to self or animals, and to exercise basic principles of animal care and animal laboratory science related to conducting TB testing and evaluating test results, disease control, sanitation and environmental enrichment.
• Skill to pay strict attention to detail and knowledge to recognize changes in animal physical appearance or behavior with the ability to keep current, accurate, complete records in compliance with Good Laboratory Practice guidelines.
• Skills to accurately assessing the habits, behavior, and physical appearance of an animal is important to obtaining accurate research findings. Ability to have strong relationship skills allows technicians to work effectively with scientists, assistants, and others involved in animal research.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in specialty area such as nonhuman primate facilities, barrier, hazard containment and animal facility.
• Experience handling and training nonhuman primates, including chair training, capture and physical restraint of macaques.
• Experience in Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) animal handling procedures, including infection control and containment, and Animal husbandry experience working with infectious animal housing.
• Experience operating a medical waste autoclave, mechanical cage washer, steam pressure gun, and operating a forklift.
• Knowledge of NIH, OLAW, USDA regulations and AALAS practices and Protocols pertaining to primate non-human animal models.
• Skills and abilities to be compassionate, kind, and humane when working with animals involved in scientific research.
• Knowledge and skills to capture animals in a net within a half-acre enclosure on uneven terrain.
• Skill to pay strict attention to detail and knowledge to recognize changes in animal physical appearance or behavior.
• Effective communications and active listening skills (written and oral) to convey and understand complex technical issues to Colony Management and academic research faculty and professionals that include skills in customer service and have a collaborative attitude.

Key Responsibilities

• 55% - Routine Animal Care
• 35% - Cage Change/Sanitation
• 10% - Development of Technical Skills/Experimental Assistance

Department Overview

The California National Primate Research Center(CNPRC ) at UC Davis, is an Organized Research Unit that conducts interdisciplinary research programs on significant human health problems where non-human primates are the animal of choice. In addition to its major efforts in the area of research, the CNPRC is also committed to both UC Davis and NIH missions of teaching and service.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $27.07/hr. - $31.87/hr.
• Salary Frequency: Bi-weekly
• Salary Grade: STEPS
• UC Job Title: ANML TCHN
• UC Job Code: 009525
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100%
• Shift (Work Schedule): Manager will advise
• Location: Davis
• Union Representation: TX-Technical Professionals
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% on-site

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees.

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees
• Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources
• Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee's lives
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees

Physical Demands

• Standing - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Walking - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Sitting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Microwave/Radiation - Occasional 3 to 6 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Occasional 3 to 6 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Never 0 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Occasional 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Communication skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Numerical skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Measles vaccination or proof of illness required. This position is subject to Medical Surveillance procedures and review in accordance with Federal and State Laws and Regulations and University Policy. Employee shall participate in required preventative medical and medical monitoring programs which may include blood tests, immunizations, TB screening, Blood borne and Airborne Pathogen training, etc., and are provided to meet Federal, State and University requirements. Must be willing to perform assigned duties in BioSafety Level (BSL) 1, 2, or 3 facility where nonhuman primates may be either naturally or experimentally infected with potentially hazardous diseases such as HIV, SIV, or Herpes B virus. Required to wear protective clothing and respirator in circumstances that require personal protection from infectious diseases and animals. Restricted vacation during peak workload periods. Work irregular shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings. Work overtime, occasional weekends on short notice. - Rotating weekend and holiday coverage is required. California National Primate Research Center employees are directly or indirectly engaged in the performance of work on Federal or State contracts and grants as well as periodically come into contact with controlled substances; and are expected to abide by the UC Policy on Substance Abuse, the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, and the State Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1990.

Special Requirements

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks