Laboratory Animal Tech I

Kansas State University; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas State University’s Comparative Medicine Group (CMG) is seeking an on-site animal care technician to support routine husbandry and welfare for laboratory animals in BSL1/BSL2 facilities at Coles Hall and other CMG sites on the Manhattan campus. This essential role requires lifting up to 50 lbs, strict adherence to protocols, and the ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as shifts rotate.

The CMG collaborates with IACUC and ABSA to ensure humane care and compliance with

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma (or equivalent).
• Valid Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Maintain records and monitor animal health/environmental conditions.
• Provide daily nutrition and may assist in veterinary treatments.
• Assist with waste management, sanitization and decontamination.
• Support on-site animal husbandry in BSL1/BSL2 facilities.

Skills

Recordkeeping

Communication

Multitasking

Independent work

Education

High school diploma

Some college/vo‑tech biology or veterinary tech training

Tools

MS Outlook

MS Word

Excel

Job description

About This Role

The CMG mission is to provide animal husbandry and veterinary services for animals used in KSU's research, teaching, and testing programs in accordance with (IAW) applicable laws, regulations, standards, guidelines, and university policy governing the care and use of laboratory animals at academic/research institutions.

This position supports routine animal husbandry and animal welfare for a variety of animals utilized for teaching and research in BSL1 and BSL2 facilities, under supervision. Assists in supporting activities associated with infectious and non‑infectious disease research to include maintaining records, monitoring animal health and environmental conditions, providing daily nutrition and may assist in administering veterinary treatments. Responsible for waste management, sanitization and decontamination.

This duty position is primarily allocated/assigned to the CMG's Coles Hall Facility, but incumbents may be temporarily detailed to perform similar tasks in other CMG supported animal facilities on the KSU Manhattan Campus as required (e.g., Coles Animal Facility, Mosier Animal Facility, Justin Animal Facility, Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI), etc.).

An employee filling this position is classified as an "ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEE". This position requires variable on‑call, evening/night, weekend, and/or holiday swing shifts as required to provide 7 days/week, 365 days/year animal care coverage.

About Us

The Comparative Medicine Group, or CMG, is a centralized campuswide core research fee‑for‑service support unit under the Office of the Vice President for Research for the procurement, care and use of laboratory animal animals for research, testing and/or teaching purposes at K‑State's main campus. The CMG works closely with the Office of Research, Integrity, Compliance and Security, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and Institutional Biosafety Committee to ensure that all animal use at K‑State complies with all applicable public laws/regulations, National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service Policies and National Academy of Sciences National Research Council, Institute for Laboratory Animal Research guidelines for the humane and ethical use of live vertebrate animals.

Worksite Description

This position is On‑site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K‑State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma (or equivalent)
• Valid Drivers License

Preferred Qualifications

• American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the Asst. Lab Animal Technician (ALAT), Lab Animal Technician (LAT), or Lab Animal Technologist (LATg) level. If not ALAT certified at the time of hire the employee is encouraged to become ALAT certified within 12 months of being hired.
• Some college/vo‑tech level biology, animal science, or veterinary technician training/education.
• Experience working directly with animals at a veterinary clinic/hospital, animal shelter, and/or animal boarding kennel facility.
• Animal husbandry experience with laboratory animals (rodents & rabbits), small animal (dogs/cats), and/or large animals (agricultural livestock) in a research facility.
• Experience working in an AAALAC accredited research institution/facility.
• Experience working at ABSL-1 and ABSL-2 in a research facility.
• Experience working with animals used on infectious disease research projects in a research facility.
• Experience in maintaining detailed records.
• Knowledge of AAALAC accreditation requirements.
• Working knowledge of Windows‑based computer software (e.g., MS Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Additional Role Information

• During Federal Select Agent Program inspections (scheduled and unscheduled), employee may be asked to be available to assist the Biosafety team helping with report generation, data investigation and other duties as assigned. Inspections typically occur twice annually, and each inspection typically takes a week. Vacation will not be approved during an inspection.
• Physical Requirements: Must be able routinely lift/handle at least 50 lbs. (e.g., feed bags, bedding bags, caging, animals, etc.). Work involves frequent bending, reaching, and squatting and standing/walking the majority of the day/work shift. Must be able to pass an initial occupational health physical screening exam and a medical evaluation/clearance to wear required respiratory PPE. Must be able to work in confined spaces and wear required PPE.

Sponsorship eligibility

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Application Window

Applications close on: August 24, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$15.00 - $21.82 Hourly