Assistant Animal Technician (Limited Pool)

University of California, Merced; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 28,413 - 40,467; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Merced seeks an animal care assistant to support the Department of Animal Research Services (DARS). The role involves feeding, cleaning, and transporting animals and supplies under supervision, following all regulatory requirements.

Candidates should have a high school diploma or equivalent and be able to learn injections, venipunctures, and basic health assessments. This is a temporary position with required background checks and compliance with UC policies.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Prior animal handling experience preferred.
• Ability to learn feeding, caging, and space requirements.

Responsibilities

• Care for a variety of laboratory animals including feeding, cage changing, and water provision.
• Weigh and identify animals; report health concerns to supervisor and veterinarian.
• Maintain clean rooms and sanitation procedures; operate washers and autoclaves as needed.
• Keep accurate per diem and temperature logs; assist with maintenance tasks.

Skills

Animal care

Animal health

Record keeping

Disinfection

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Small hand tools

Job description

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure, and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The salary or hourly range for this position is $21.05/hr. - $24.68/hr. The realized minimum pay for this position will be $25/hr. Steps less than $25/hr. will include an additional amount elevating to $25/hr.

Job Closing Date

This position will close on 12/31/2026.

Remote/Hybrid Eligibility

Remote/Hybrid eligibility is dependent on openings.

Union Representation

These union positions are represented by the bargaining unit AFSCME: Service - SX. These are temporary positions.

About The Job

The Department of Animal Research Services (DARS) is a “self-supporting” unit within the Office of Research that purchases, provides space for, and maintains a variety of laboratory animals used in biomedical research and teaching. The role of this position is to work under supervision in a DARS space that houses animals and to provide adequate care including feeding, cleaning, and delivery of animals/supplies following all regulations set forth by federal, state, and university policies.

Responsibilities

Animal Care

• Change cages, feed, and water a variety of animals used in biomedical research.
• Change racks two times per month per schedule.
• Set up rooms for incoming animals according to all federal, state, and UC requirements and regulations.

Animal Health

• Learn to recognize sick and unthrifty animals and report such to the attending veterinarian, Research Investigator, and Supervisor using correct terminology as instructed.
• Weigh and identify animals in accordance with regulations.
• Learn technical skills such as injections and venipunctures.
• Euthanize animals according to approved IACUC protocols and AVMA Panel on Euthanasia.

Disinfection/Sanitation

• Disinfect and sanitize rooms using different agents in and around the animal rooms prior to receipt of animals and during their setup on a scheduled basis.
• Utilize cage washers, rack washers, and autoclaves to sterilize cages, bedding, and water bottles.

Record Keeping

• Perform record-keeping duties such as per diem charges, feed logs, temperature and air exchange gauge charts.

Maintenance

• Learn to use small hand tools to repair racks.
• All other duties assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High school diploma and/or equivalent certification/experience/training.

Additional Requirements

• Must possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
• Prior animal handling experience (Preferred).

Critical Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to learn feeding, caging, and space requirements for all species of laboratory animals.
• Ability to comprehend written orders and agency regulations.
• Ability to learn federal and other licensing agencies’ regulations.
• Skill to distinguish between normal and sick animals, normal and abnormal behavior, and unthrifty animals (Preferred).
• Skill to differentiate between cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing techniques and appropriately utilize learned methods (Preferred).
• Ability to learn use of small hand tools.
• Ability to perform injections and venipunctures.

Background check required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Vaccination Program Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke And Tobacco Free Policy

The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify

All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/