Cage Wash Supervisor

University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation time

Tuition coverage

Job summary

University of Minnesota is seeking a Cage Wash Supervisor to lead a team within Research Animal Resources (RAR). You will coordinate cage wash operations across multiple facilities, ensure safety and AAALAC compliance, and optimize throughput while guiding and supporting staff.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong organization, and an ability to monitor and improve sanitation workflows in a fast-paced environment on the Twin Cities campus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate cage wash operations across multiple vivarium sites using tunnel washers, rack washers, autoclaves, bedding dispensers, dump stations, hoods, and bottle-filling systems.
• Develop and maintain standardized operating procedures for cage wash and sanitation workflows.
• Monitor equipment performance, schedule preventive maintenance, and coordinate repairs with internal teams and external vendors.
• Perform daily Lab Attendant duties: operating equipment, sanitation checks, temperature/steam monitoring, and safe handling of chemicals.

Job description

Cage Wash Supervisor

Step into a brand-new leadership role as a Cage Wash Supervisor within Research Animal Resources (RAR). Working under our Infrastructure Team, you'll oversee and coordinate vital cage wash operations across multiple University of Minnesota facilities. You'll guide a team of cage wash staff, ensure rigorous safety and AAALAC compliance, and keep our washing and sterilization systems operating at peak efficiency. When needed, you'll roll up your sleeves alongside your team—combining your technical expertise with strong organizational and leadership skills to keep daily operations running smoothly.

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Benefits

• Strong wages paired with official paid holidays, generous vacation, and sick leave to support work-life balance.
• Affordable medical, dental, and pharmacy plans, plus strong retirement savings with employer contributions.
• Up to 100% tuition coverage through the Regents Tuition Benefit Program.

Location and Work Environment

In-person at multiple facilities on the Twin Cities campus.

This position is defined as an essential role under the University's State of Emergency policy, and plays a key role in ensuring the health and welfare of RAR's research animals. During emergencies or other situations that impact normal operations, this position may be required to perform additional duties as assigned to support the team and ensure animal care is not compromised. These duties may include, but are not limited to, animal husbandry, sanitation, feeding, health monitoring, and will be determined at the discretion of the direct supervisor and/or RAR senior leadership based on operational needs. Training will be provided as needed. Unscheduled, mandatory overtime may be assigned by the direct supervisor/leadership as needed to ensure animal health and welfare.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• There will be exposure to animal allergens
• Current Tetanus vaccination is required (may be obtained during first week of employment)
• An annual test for Tuberculosis will be completed for working with certain species
• Due to the high level of noise, a hearing test is performed annually when assigned to a hearing conservation area
• Rabies Vaccines or titer will be completed when working with certain species or the employee may complete a declination form.
• An annual Flu vaccine is a requirement to work with some animal species
• Measles titer may be drawn
• The employee may work in wet rooms or around large industrial cage washers
• Employee may work in an outside environment in any weather conditions
• Employee may be required to wear a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) or N95 mask

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday 6:00 am-2:30 pm and may require occasional evening, weekend, holiday, or on-call hours to meet operational needs.

Primary Responsibilities

Operational Oversight - 35%

• Coordinate cage wash operations across multiple vivarium sites—using tunnel washers, rack washers, autoclaves, bedding dispensers, dump stations, hoods, and bottle-filling systems—to maintain consistent sanitation, sterilization, and service quality across varied facility layouts.
• Coordinate production workflows and communicate resource needs to leadership; conduct regular facility rounds to verify that caging orders/needs remain on schedule.
• Evaluate processes to optimize throughput, improve efficiency, and meet service goals.
• Develop and maintain standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for cage wash and sanitation workflows.
• Monitor equipment performance, schedule preventive maintenance, and coordinate repairs with internal teams and external vendors.
• Operational Coverage & Technical Tasks: perform daily Lab Attendant duties, including:
  • Operating tunnel/rack washers, autoclaves, dump stations, bottle fillers, hoods, bedding dispensers. Using microisolator technique.
  • Performing daily facility and equipment sanitation, safety checks, and temperature/steam monitoring.
  • Maneuvering chemical drums up to 55 gallons with