Lab Animal Attendant

University of North Texas - Denton; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lab Animal Attendant provides daily care and husbandry for research animals in a regulated environment at UNT Health Fort Worth, ensuring welfare, housing sanitation, and compliance through teamwork with veterinary and animal care staff.

Requirements include a high school diploma or GED with two years of related experience, strong communication, safety awareness, and the ability to rotate weekends in a full-time role. ALAT certification must be obtained within one year.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with two years of related experience.
• Ability to follow established animal care protocols.
• Willingness to obtain ALAT certification within one year of employment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Provides skilled care and housing for research animals, observing and reporting health issues.
• Receives animals, verifies orders, and monitors health and well-being.
• Sanitizes facilities and equipment to meet regulatory standards.
• Ensures compliance with USDA, AAALAC, and university policies.
• Assists with animal handling, transport, and disposal of carcasses.

Skills

Animal care

Safety awareness

Oral and written communication

Physical stamina

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Tech literacy

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

ALAT certification

Job description

Title

Lab Animal Attendant

Employee Classification

Lab Animal Attendant

Campus

University of North Texas Health at Fort Worth

Division

HSC-Div of Rsrch & Innovation

SubDivision-Department

HSC-Div of Rsrch & Innovation

Department

HSC-Laboratory Animal Medicine-390010

Job Location

Fort Worth

Salary

40008

FTE

1.000000

Retirement Eligibility

TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.

We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.

Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.

Department Summary

The Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) is committed to providing UNT Health faculty, staff, students and other partners with high quality, cost-effective research bio-resources. DLAM has a dedicated and experienced staff that contributes to the HSC's exemplary program of animal care and use. DLAM provides veterinary and personnel training and expertise in laboratory animal medicine and technology. DLAM is dedicated to support the University's research and teaching goals, to promote and assure humane care and use of animals through compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International and University policies for the humane care and use of animals. DLAM advises and educates researchers, staff, students and other professionals on animal experimentation issues and promotes best practices for the responsible use of animals.

Position Overview

The Lab Animal Attendant provides daily animal care and husbandry in a regulated research environment, ensuring animal welfare, housing sanitation, and compliance with established standards through collaboration with veterinary, research, and animal care staff.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED and two (2) years of related experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• Ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
• Physical condition adequate to permit full performance of duties.
• Ability to develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
• Knowledge of techniques used in the design of web applications.
• Ability to operate personal computer with a general understanding of application software, and an understanding of the Internet.
• Knowledge of applicable safety requirements.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, University policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, policies, procedures, and guidelines established by professional organizations and/or governing agencies.
• Knowledge of cleaning techniques and procedures.
• Skill in the use of standard tools and equipment of the profession.

Preferred Qualifications

The preferred candidate will possess the following additional qualifications: Previous experience with animals (i.e. vet clinic, zoo, etc.)

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) is required within one year of employment. Must be up to date on Tetanus vaccination.

Job Duties

• Provides skilled care and husbandry of research animals in conventional and specialized housing areas including observing, feeding, watering, sanitizing, handling animals, and monitoring care areas consistent with State, Federal, and University regulations.
• Receives animals, verifies accuracy of orders and health of the animals.
• Processing micro and macro animal housing equipment, utilizing specialized mechanical devices. - (Essential)
• Sanitize facilities, animal housing, and equipment according to Animal Welfare Act, The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and other oversight bodies.
• Observing animals and reporting any signs of illness or injury.
• Handling of animals, transporting, and disposal of animal carcasses.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory agencies such as USDA and AAALAC to promote the overall well-being of animals. This role may involve participating in sub-teams or committees focused on enrichment, compassion fatigue, safety, or veterinary care.

Physical Requirements

• Moving self in various positions to perform tasks in tight and confined spaces.
• Operating machinery and/or power tools.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Lifting and Moving objects up to 50 pounds.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.

Environmental Hazards

• Small and/or enclosed spaces.
• Work with toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Exposure to fumes or airborne particles.
• Exposure to moving mechanical parts or vibration.
• Noisy environments

Work Schedule

Full time position including rotating weekends

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -and takes actions to prevent - discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.