Cage Washer/Animal Care Assistant

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 28,654 - 35,021; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Paid annual leave

Generous tuition benefits

Retirement planning and savings options

Employee discounts

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University seeks an Animal Care Assistant for its Animal Care Facility. This position requires cleaning and disinfecting animal cages, maintaining operational records, and ensuring safe and respectful work practices around animals. The ideal candidate must possess a high school diploma, be able to lift 50 lbs, and work well in a team. Benefits include health coverage, paid leave, and generous tuition benefits. The role is fully onsite and non-exempt, with a salary of $31,838.

Qualifications

• Must be able to lift 50 lbs easily.
• Can stand for long periods of time.
• Comfortable working near/around animals.

Responsibilities

• Clean animal cages and disinfect per regulatory guidelines.
• Maintain operational records for animal care.
• Monitor and manage inventory of sterile cages.

Skills

Ability to work in a respectful environment

Ability to follow instructions

Good teamwork

Experience in handling chemicals safely

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Advertising Summary

Unit: VP Research MBU

Department: Animal Care Facility

Office of Research & Innovation, Division of Animal Resources invites applicants to apply for an outstanding opportunity to join our Animal Care Team as an Animal Care Assistant.

Duties & Responsibilities

Employee will be responsible for cleaning a variety of soiled animal cages and racks, disinfecting and sterilizing animal cages per regulatory guidelines, monitoring and cleaning equipment daily, maintaining operational records, assembling animal cages, bedding, and water bottles for setups, autoclaving setups for sterile housing, ensuring inventory of sterile cages, unpacking feed and bedding, keeping the working area clean and organized, testing eyewash station functionality, moving racks and supplies, and other duties as assigned.

For barrier facilities or aseptic holding spaces, the employee will autoclave assembled cage setups and accessories used for animals requiring sterile housing, manage the inventory of sterile cage accessories, and fill water carboys for autoclaving if necessary.

Weekly tasks include unpacking feed and bedding off pallets and storing in designated storage areas, ensuring sufficient supplies are on hand, and ensuring workplace safety.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to follow both oral and written instructions.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs easily.
• Can stand for long periods of time.
• Comfortable working near/around animals.
• Ability to disinfect walls, floors, and cages; to inspect rooms daily and determine supply needs.
• Experience with proper handling and application of chemicals safely during cleaning processes; wear protective clothing as needed.
• Observe and respond to situations appropriately.
• Works well with others and meets deadlines.

Salary Range

$31,838

Benefits

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

Other Employment Information

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: Yes
ORP Eligible: No
Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite