Lab Animal Attendant II

Texas Tech University; Lubbock (TX); On-site; USD 21,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Tech University is seeking a dedicated Animal Care Technician to oversee daily husbandry, feeding, and monitoring of laboratory animals in approved facilities. You will assist with sanitation, inventory, and safety protocols to ensure animal welfare and regulatory compliance.

The role requires attention to detail, ability to follow protocols, and readiness to support training for new staff. Occasional weekend work and travel for facility operations may be required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of laboratory animal husbandry principles and practices.
• Knowledge of sanitation and biosecurity procedures applicable to research animal facilities.
• Ability to recognize and report signs of animal illness, injury, or distress.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care of assigned laboratory animals, including feeding, watering, environmental enrichment, and observation to ensure animal health, welfare, and compliance with established protocols and federal regulations.
• Observe animals for signs of illness, injury, distress, abnormal behavior, or environmental concerns; promptly report observations to veterinary or supervisory staff and maintain accurate records as required.
• Perform routine and specialized cleaning, sanitization, and disinfection of animal cages/enclosures, rooms, equipment, and support areas in accordance with facility procedures and biosecurity standards.
• Operate, inspect, clean, and perform routine maintenance on cage-washing equipment, autoclaves, watering systems, ventilated rack systems, and other animal care equipment; report malfunctions and maintenance needs to the facilities manager.

Skills

Animal husbandry knowledge

Sanitation procedures

Observation skills

Recordkeeping

Safety protocols

Equipment operation

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Autoclaves

Cage-washing equipment

Watering systems

Ventilated rack systems

Job description

46458BR

Position Description:

Employees in this classification are responsible for the daily husbandry, care, and observation of research animals. Duties also include maintaining sanitation standards and supporting the daily operations of assigned animal facilities. This position has no supervisory responsibilities but may assist with training new employees on animal care and facility practices when needed.

About the University:

Founded in 1923, Texas Tech University began with a mission to serve the needs of West Texas, but its impact has always reached far beyond. Today, Texas Tech, located in Lubbock (pop. 300,000+), is home to a vibrant community of more than 42,000 students.Texas Tech’s 1,800-acre campus showcases Spanish Renaissance architecture and is home to one of the country’s largest public art collections. Its 13 colleges include a prestigious School of Law and a distinguished School of Veterinary Medicine. These programs equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their respective fields. Built on the values of West Texas — hard work, grit and authenticity — the university graduates students who are deeply engaged in service to their communities and well-positioned to succeed in the world. Texas Tech is committed to achieving research and scholarly accomplishments that compare favorably to the member institutions of the Association of American Universities (AAU). For more than 100 years, Texas Tech has been a premier destination for those seeking a world-class education and a unique, personalized experience as a member of the Red Raider family.

About the Department and/or College:

Animal Care Services (ACS), part of Texas Tech Research & Innovation, is the centrally administered support service for animal research and teaching programs at Texas Tech. ACS provides year-round care, accredited facilities, and support for approved animal research and teaching. The program’s facilities and services are available for all Texas Tech faculty, staff, and students who have been approved to conduct animal research by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

Major/Essential Functions:

• Provide daily care of assigned laboratory animals, including feeding, watering, environmental enrichment, and observation to ensure animal health, welfare, and compliance with established protocols and federal regulations.
• Observe animals for signs of illness, injury, distress, abnormal behavior, or environmental concerns; promptly report observations to veterinary or supervisory staff and maintain accurate records as required.
• Perform routine and specialized cleaning, sanitization, and disinfection of animal cages/enclosures, rooms, equipment, and support areas in accordance with facility procedures and biosecurity standards.
• Operate, inspect, clean, and perform routine maintenance on cage-washing equipment, autoclaves, watering systems, ventilated rack systems, and other animal care equipment; report malfunctions and maintenance needs to the facilities manager.
• Monitor environmental conditions and facility operations, including temperature, humidity, lighting, and equipment function; maintain inventory and replenish animal care supplies, feed, bedding, cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment within assigned spaces.
• Maintain accurate and complete records and documentation related to animal care activities, sanitation schedules, health observations, census information, and facility operations to support compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Follow all institutional safety procedures, biosafety requirements, occupational health guidelines, and personal protective equipment protocols when working with animals, biological agents, hazardous materials, radioactive materials, and other research-related hazards.
• Safely handle, transfer, restrain, and transport research animals using approved techniques to support husbandry, veterinary care, and research activities.
• Perform routine technical procedures within approved training and competency levels, such as animal identification, weighing, sample collection assistance, and treatment administration assistance.
• Perform additional duties in support of laboratory animal operations or research activities as assigned to ensure continuity of animal care and program effectiveness.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of laboratory animal husbandry principles and practices.
• Knowledge of sanitation and biosecurity procedures applicable to research animal facilities
• Ability to recognize and report signs of animal illness, injury, or distress.
• Ability to safely handle and restrain multiple laboratory animal species.
• Ability to operate animal care equipment and sanitation systems.

Required Qualifications:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent. Experience working with and handling various species of animals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One year of experience in laboratory animal care, veterinary care, animal husbandry, animal science, or a related field
• Any AALAS certification

Safety Information:

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Does this position work in a research laboratory?:

No

Required Attachments:

Cover Letter, Professional License or Certification, Professional/Personal References, Resume / CV

Job Type:

Full Time

Pay Basis:

Hourly

Job Family:

Research

Job Sub Family:

Laboratory Animal Care

Hourly Pay Range:

$15.14 – $19.71 – $24.23

Pay Statement:

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan.

Travel Required:

Up to 25%

Shift:

Day

Schedule Details:

M-F 8-5; Occasional Weekends

Grant Funded?:

No

EEO Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.