Certified Veterinary Technician

Amentum; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Animal Care Technician to support groundbreaking research missions at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. This role involves maintaining high standards of animal care, preparing for flights, and ensuring compliance with accreditation requirements. The ideal candidate will possess an associate degree in veterinary technology, relevant certifications, and a passion for animal welfare. Join a team that is making history and contributing to the future of space exploration. If you have the skills and determination to thrive in a fast-paced environment, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Requires an associate degree in veterinary technology and 2 years of experience.
• Credentialed as a Veterinary Technician and AALAS certification required.

Responsibilities

• Supports animal husbandry equipment preparation and sanitation.
• Handles animals, performs health checks, and maintains logs.

Skills

Critical Thinking

Animal Care

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

Education

Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology

Veterinary Technician Credential

AALAS Certification (LAT)

Tools

Cage Rack Washer

Sterilizer

Bottle Washer

Job description

We are launching people to the Moon and Mars. If you want to be part of this amazing mission and enjoy working in a great team environment, we would love to have you as part of our team that is making history, today. It takes big ideas and determination to take NASA's vision and make it reality. That's what we do every day.

The COMET contract provides overall management and implementation of ground systems capabilities, flight hardware processing, and launch operations at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. These tasks will support the International Space Station, Ground Systems Development and Operations, and the Space Launch System, Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, and Launch Services programs.

The Animal Care team provides support to research science teams for pre-flight, during-flight and post-flight ground support capabilities and services. Operates and maintains the KSC Animal Care Program in accordance with the requirements to maintain AAALAC International accreditation. Supports and maintains 100,000 class clean room barrier facility.

Responsibilities

1. Supports the preparation of animal husbandry equipment and supplies including sanitation and sterilization of all items. Processes bags and/or boxes or animal feed, bedding material, supplies, and equipment. Prepares and feeds regular and/or special diets and sterile deionized water. Includes quality control activities such as maintaining logs and providing samples of sterile feed and water.
2. Assists in flight preparation including reviewing payload customer requirements, procuring standard supplies, and ordering specialty animal care equipment.
3. Provides professional and technical guidance and support to payload customers. Maintains equipment certifications and calibration.
4. Supports customer access to the facility and assists in refining activities.
5. Operates cage rack washer, bottle washer, sterilizer, and other facility related equipment. Performs routine maintenance of equipment as per manufacturer's recommendations.
6. Prepares supplies and equipment required in support of research missions.
7. Handles animals in conjunction with relocating, cage change, feeding, watering, identifying, performing health checks, data collection, SPF sample collection, blood draw, injections and/or administering of medications. Maintains daily health check log.
8. Responsible for procurements of supplies and inventory for missions and facility maintenance.
9. Performs quarterly air and surface sampling to ensure facility is properly sanitized.
10. Assists in maintaining the DEA logbook and pharmaceutical inventories.
11. Provides quarterly technical support to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

Minimum Requirements

1. Requires a minimum of an associate degree in veterinary technology from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) approved school, credentialed through the Veterinary Technician National Examination, plus a minimum of two years of experience in a laboratory animal facility or additional experience with animals in a related capacity.
2. Credentialed as a Veterinary Technician.
3. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level is required at minimum. Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) preferred.
4. Critical thinking is required to create innovative methods to meet the customer's needs. Must be able to remain flexible while maintaining the high standards of the facility and animal care is paramount.
5. Must understand the moral and ethical aspects of the care and use of research animals.
6. Supports the Lead Mission Support Animal Care Technologist in assessing the overall health of the colony and carrying out the treatment plan as directed by the Attending Veterinarian.
7. Supports the Program Lead in maintaining the standards of the Animal Care Program.

Physical Requirements

1. May be required to climb stairs to access equipment for troubleshooting.
2. Will be required to wear hearing protection, eye protection, and other associated personal protective equipment.
3. Position may involve extended periods of sitting or standing.
4. Physical requirements are sitting, walking, standing, extensive use of stairs, and access to remote structures.
5. Position is located on a hazardous testing facility; must be able to quickly evacuate buildings in the event of an emergency.

Work Environment

1. May be required to work inside and outside throughout the test complex.
2. Position may require individual to travel daily to different areas on site.
3. Walking on uneven terrain including paved areas, gravel/rocks, and dirt/sand, may be required to access various locations on the facility.
4. Climbing ladders and platforms may be necessary.
5. All work must be completed in a safe manner in accordance with NASA and company safety standards.

Attendance

1. Full-time work hours.
2. Position may require occasional overtime, including weekend work, depending on task.
3. Must be dependable and punctual.
4. Shift work may be required.

Other Essential Functions

1. Must be able to accurately communicate ideas in writing and verbal communication.
2. Must be able to travel to support position requirements. This may include travel to and from customer location, which may involve airline travel. In some cases, accommodations can be made for POV, if necessary.
3. Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.
4. Must comply with all “drug free workplace” requirements as mandated by directives issued by the appropriate federal contracting officer and the company, which requires drug testing for use of illegal drugs by employees in sensitive positions.
5. Government security clearance may be required in the future.
6. Must maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters good relations with customers, clients, co-workers, and management.