Cagewash Technician I

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh (Allegheny County)

On-site

USD 21,000 - 30,000

Full time

9 hours ago

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Job summary

University of Pittsburgh is seeking a Cagewash Technician I to perform cagewash, sanitation, and maintaining equipment in the animal facility. The role includes processing soiled bedding, sterilizing and preparing clean cages, and logging activities.

You will operate cagewash equipment and perform routine maintenance while supporting animal husbandry needs. The position requires standing for extended periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, and occasional evenings/weekends.

Qualifications

No experience required.
Basic computer literacy and ability to follow SOPs.
Willingness to work weekends and holidays as needed.

Responsibilities

Process soiled animal caging and prepare clean caging/equipment.
Operate and validate cagewash equipment.
Perform preventative maintenance and minor repairs on caging systems and equipment.
Carry out custodial duties including sweeping, mopping, and trash removal.
Receive deliveries, reconcile orders, and restock supply stations.
Maintain logs of sanitation activities and equipment function.

Skills

Cagewash operations

Sanitation

Equipment maintenance

Log maintenance

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Pittworx

Microsoft Office

Job description

Performs cagewash, sanitization, and equipment maintenance. Processes soiled animal bedding and waste, sterilizes and prepares clean caging, and maintains accurate logs. Performs routine preventative maintenance and minor mechanical repairs to equipment used in animal husbandry. Provides janitorial care for area. Processes deliveries; organizes stock and supply stations.

DLAR-Animal Husbandry

The Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) Cagewash Technician I will perform cagewash, equipment maintenance and sanitation activities.

The Candidate Will

process soiled animal caging, sterilize and prepare clean caging and equipment for distribution within the animal facility
operate and validate various types of cagewash equipment
perform preventative maintenance and minor mechanical repairs to animal caging systems, sanitation and other equipment used to provide laboratory animal husbandry and care
perform custodial duties including sweeping, mopping and scrubbing floors, removing trash, and cleaning equipment
receive deliveries, reconcile orders and packing slips, organize, rotate and re-stock supply stations
maintain logs of sanitation activities and verification of equipment function

The successful candidate must consistently demonstrate positive interpersonal and customer service skills, be proficient with technology in order to use common applications (e.g. email, Microsoft Office, Pittworx), be available to work weekends and holidays, stand for extended periods of time, lift 50 pounds, push/pull heavy equipment and pass the mandatory criminal and social background checks. Candidates working in the Rangos Research Building at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh will need to obtain Child Protection Clearances. Vaccinations and TB testing may be required.

Pay rate is $18.63/hour.

Essential Functions

The employee must be able to:

read, understand, and follow DLAR and other institutional guidance documents (SOPs, policies), including IACUC approved animal protocols when applicable
follow written and verbal instructions
demonstrate sufficient fine motor skill to manipulate animals and equipment; negotiate around equipment within close quarters; move between rooms and workspaces
have sufficient visual acuity to recognize animals inadvertently left in cages as well as automated equipment notifications and printouts
have sufficient audible acuity to hear equipment alarms and other warnings
wear facility specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for extended periods of time required by the job duties based on risk assessment from EH&S
work directly with live or dead animals and clean or soiled bedding and caging with reasonable accommodations if necessary
accurately and legibly document written information in English in a timely manner, including electronic formats and applications (e.g., PRISM, CAMS)
effective written and verbal communication in English, including the use of email
receive vaccinations and health assessments, including TB testing, required to work in some animal holding or procedure areas in accordance with DLAR and/or EH&S policies and practices
successfully enroll in the University of Pittsburgh Animal Exposure Surveillance Program (AESP) and other medical surveillance/immunization programs as dictated by current research activities

Physical Effort

The Employee Must Be Able To

stand for extended periods of time for the majority of the workday
lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds including, but not limited to, caging and equipment, bags or boxes of animal diet and animal bedding
operate flatbed hand trucks or pallet jacks to push/pull heavier objects or weights exceeding 50 pounds
perform repetitive motion tasks that involve pushing, pulling, twisting, reaching, and/or bending
physically handle and restrain a variety of small and large laboratory animals
negotiate and navigate around animal facility caging, equipment, and the physical plant

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

Assignment Category

Full-time regular

Job Classification

Staff.Cagewash Technician I

Job Family

Research

Job Sub-Family

Animal Research

Campus

Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required