Cage Washer/Animal Care Assistant

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid leave

Tuition benefits

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University is hiring an Animal Care Assistant to join the Animal Resources team. You will be responsible for cleaning cages, sterilizing equipment, and maintaining a sterile housing environment for animals, following Division protocols and regulatory guidelines.

The role requires physical ability to lift heavy objects, comfort working around animals, and collaboration with colleagues to ensure daily operations and safety standards are met.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications as stated by the employer.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs easily.
• Stand for long periods.
• Must be comfortable working near/around animals.
• Must disinfect walls, floors, and cages; inspect rooms daily for supplies.
• Must properly handle and apply chemicals safely during cleaning.
• Ability to work well with others and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Clean a variety of soiled animal cages and racks.
• Disinfect and sterilize cages per regulatory guidelines.
• Monitor and clean equipment daily and report malfunctions.
• Assemble cages, bedding, and water bottles; prepare sterile setups.
• Maintain inventory of sterile cages and supplies for daily and emergency needs.
• Move racks and pallets, test eyewash stations, keep area clean and organized.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Respectful environment

Follow instructions

Lift 50 lbs

Stand for long periods

Work near animals

Chemical handling safety

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Advertising Summary:

Unit:

VP Research MBU

Department:

Animal Care Facility

Department

Welcome to VCU ... a world unlike any other. Wecombine learning, research, creativity, service and discovery witha commitment to excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30“most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is apremier, urban, public research university home to multiplenationally ranked programs. Here, your success is supported andyour career can thrive. VCU offers a generous leave package, careerpaths for advancement, competitive pay and mission-driven work. Weadvance a conscientious drive to support a climate where excellenceand success for all people are valued and differences arecelebrated.

Office of Research & Innovation, Division of Animal Resourcesinvites applicants to apply for an outstanding opportunity to joinour Animal Care Team as a Animal Care Assistant.

Together, we can be unstoppable!

Duties & Responsibilities:

Employee will be responsible for the cleaning a variety of soiledanimal cages and racks. The employee will clean, disinfect andsterilize animal cages using the guidelines established by the regulatory agencies and the Division. Monitor and clean equipmentdaily to ensure that it is working properly and know theestablished procedure to follow when equipment is malfunctioning.Maintain records of operation. Using the guidelines established bythe Division, assemble animal cages, bedding and water bottles intosetups. Using the established procedures, these setups areautoclaved and used for animals requiring sterile housing. Ensuresan inventory of sterile cages are kept on hand to supply theday-to-day demands as well as emergency situations. Unpack feed andbedding off pallets and store appropriately. Keep working areaclean and organized and ensure supplies that are needed are on handat all times. Other duties as assigned.

For barrier facilities or aseptic holding spaces, the employee willautoclave assembled cage setups and accessories used for animalsrequiring sterile housing. The employee will ensure a sufficientinventory of sterile cages and sterile cage accessories is kept onhand to supply the day-to-day demands of the animal care team, aswell as to anticipate emergency situations. The employee will fillwater carboys for autoclaving if necessary.

Weekly, unpack feed and bedding off pallets and store in designatedstorage areas. Test functionality of eyewash stations. Keep theworking area clean and organized to maintain both functionality andworkplace safety. Ensure sufficient supplies are on hand at alltimes. Move racks containing full cage setups, HydroPac containers,PPE supplies or other materials. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment ofrespect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty,staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or acommitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Ability to follow both oral and written instructionsrequired
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs easily
• Stand for long periods of time up
• Must be comfortable working near/around animals.
• Must be able to disinfect walls, floors, and cages; to dailyinspect rooms and determine when supplies are needed
• Must be able to properly handle and apply chemicals safelyduring room cleaning processes; to wear any protective clothing ormaterials as needed
• Observe and respond to situations in an appropriate manner
• Individual needs to be able to work well with others and tomeet deadline

Salary Range:

$31,838

Benefits:

• All full-time university staff are eligible forVCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annualand holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits,retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity andcash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources,abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, andmore.

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

Contact Information:

Contact Name: Niki Boyd

Contact Email: [e-mail]