Animal Technician - Level 2

MSD; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in West Point, PA, is seeking an Animal Technician Level 2 to support production in a GMP-controlled environment. Under supervision, you will care for SPF chicken flocks, perform breeding and egg handling tasks, and ensure strict biosecurity practices are followed.

The role requires ALAT certification, a High School diploma or GED, and willingness to work 1st shift and overtime as needed. Prior chicken husbandry and basic phlebotomy experience are preferred, with a focus on

Qualifications

• ALAT certification required for Animal Technician level.
• Experience with cGMP environments is preferred.
• Leadership and problem-solving skills are valued.

Responsibilities

• Ensure health, care, and safety of SPF chicken flocks.
• Maintain SPF status with strict biosecurity practices.
• Perform animal husbandry tasks: feeding, grooming, sanitation, health monitoring.
• Conduct breeding activities including collection, transfer, and artificial insemination.
• Manage egg handling: collection, identification, disinfection, storage, incubation, candling.
• Operate euthanasia equipment safely and humanely.
• Document tasks per cGMP standards and maintain records.
• Operate and maintain facility equipment and vehicles as needed.

Skills

ALAT Certification

Leadership

Problem-solving

Education

Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Certification

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Description

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity with a rapidly growing pharmaceutical manufacturer? If so, then this is the opportunity for you!

Our Manufacturing Operations Teams are the people that make our products. We work in the manufacturing plants with a “Safety First, Quality Always” mindset striving for continuous improvement. We work in the local plant connected to our global manufacturing network to ensure the highest quality of raw materials, intermediates and finished products.

We are seeking Growth and Improvement minded Animal Technicians | Level 2 that can help drive our Strategic Operating Priorities.

Strategic Operating Priorities

• Invent | Pursue the Most Promising Internal and External Science to Address Significant Unmet Medical Needs
• Execute | Prioritize Resources Behind Our Key Growth Drivers (Oncology, Vaccines, Select Specialty Areas, Animal Health) While Optimizing Our Base Business)
• Adapt | Develop Our People, Culture and Business Model to Evolve with a Dynamic Landscape
• Diverse Talent | We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment with supporting leadership behaviors because having a high performing, engaged workforce is critical to our ability to deliver innovative solutions to patients and customers around the world.
• Values and Standards | Our Steadfast Commitment to Our Values and Standards will Continue to Guide Us as We Take on New Challenges and Will Always be Fundamental to Our Success – They are a Competitive Advantage for Us

Summary: Hours 6:30 am to 3:30 pm

Under the guidance of a supervisor or technical staff, the Animal Technician | Level 2 performs a variety of tasks within GMP-controlled environments to support production at our West Point site. This role requires strict adherence to biosecurity protocols to protect specific pathogen free (SPF) chicken flocks, including isolation principles, personnel/material flow control, and sanitation measures.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the health, care, maintenance, security, and safety of SPF chicken flocks.
• Maintain SPF status through rigorous biosecurity practices (e.g., no direct bird contact, multiple daily showers, Frequent uniform/gown changes, PPE use, disinfection of materials).
• Perform animal husbandry duties such as feeding, grooming, cleaning, and health monitoring.
• Conduct breeding activities including collection, transfer, and artificial insemination.
• Manage all aspects of fertile egg handling: collection, identification, disinfection, storage, incubation, candling, and distribution.
• Operate euthanasia equipment safely and humanely.
• Collect SPF samples, including blood draws using needles.
• Hatch, wing band, and brood new flocks.
• Operate and maintain equipment such as incubators, refrigerators, hatchers, and rack washers.
• Stock and maintain supplies.
• Work collaboratively in a unionized environment with management and fellow technicians.
• Document all tasks in compliance with cGMP standards.
• Operate company vehicles as required.
• Willingness to work off-shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed (department operates 7 days/week).
• Physical requirements include lifting up to 40 lbs, frequent walking, standing, and pushing/pulling.

Education Requirement

• High School Diploma or GED
• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Certification

Experience & Skills

Required:

• ALAT Certification.
• No ownership or frequent contact with bird species.

Preferred:

• Experience with chicken husbandry.
• Familiarity with animal phlebotomy (blood draws).
• 1-2 years of cGMP experience in pharmaceutical or laboratory settings.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and a hands‑on approach.

Eligibility

• US and Puerto Rico Residents Only
• San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement

Company Culture

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Employee Status and Logistics

• Employee Status: Regular
• Relocation: No relocation
• VISA Sponsorship: No
• Travel Requirements: No Travel Required
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
• Shift: 1st - Day
• Valid Driving License: Yes
• Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date

Job Posting End Date: 10/19/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.