Laboratory Animal Technician II - Comparative Medicine

Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and holidays

Metro U-Pass

Retirement plan (403b)

Tuition assistance for family

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis seeks a dedicated animal care technician to provide daily husbandry for dunnarts and rodents, ensuring clean habitats, proper feeding, and enrichment.

The role requires routine health observation and timely reporting to veterinary staff, with strict adherence to safety and waste protocols. Candidates should have an Associate degree and related certifications; no prior experience is required beyond enthusiasm for animal care and ability to work rotating weekends

Qualifications

• Experience with laboratory animal care and SOP adherence.
• Ability to lift and move supplies; work in a high-noise environment.
• Attention to safety protocols and waste disposal procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide and document daily husbandry care for dunnarts and rodents.
• Sanitize rooms, disinfect areas, rotate cages and stock supplies.
• Observe animals daily and report health concerns to veterinary staff.
• Handle hazardous wastes according to SOPs.
• May train junior technicians as required.

Skills

Biomedical Research

English Language

Heavy Lifting

Quality Care

SOP Writing

Education

Associate degree

ALAT certification (AALAS)

Job description

Position Summary

Provide and document care and husbandry for dunnart and rodent species in accordance with departmental SOPS and the regulations and guidelines of the Animal Welfare Act and the Public Health Service to ensure a quality animal care program that supports the research and teaching at WashU. Work on a rotating weekend and Holiday schedule is required.

Location

SAINT LOUIS, MO 63110

Scheduled Hours

40

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide and document daily husbandry care to primarily for dunnarts and rodents, but can also provide care for multiple species including rabbits, canines and rodents. Care includes the provision of feed, water, clean cages and enrichment.
• Sanitize and maintain rodent colony rooms according to schedule to include sweeping and mopping animal quarters and procedure rooms, disinfecting all areas in room, rotating animal cages, cleaning large equipment and stocking room supplies.
• Observe animals daily for clinical or behavioral signs of illness and provide treatments as directed by veterinary staff. Report findings to Supervisor, Facility Manager or DCM Veterinary staff in a timely fashion.
• Correctly handle and dispose of hazardous wastes according to standard operating procedures.
• Perform additional duties as required by supervisor/manager/department, which may include hands‑on training of junior-level technicians.

Working Conditions

Must be able to lift 30 lbs. and pass a pre-employment physical exam. Appropriate vaccinations and hearing protection and other PPE are required through participation in the Occupational Health and Safety Program.

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Requires extensive safety training.
• Alternative work schedules.
• Exposure to chemicals.
• High noise environment.
• Requires protective devices.
• Dust, dirt, grease or other disagreeable elements.
• Exposure to animals.

Physical Effort

• Typically standing or walking.
• Typically bending, crouching, stooping.
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.
• Frequent lifting (30 lbs. or more).

Equipment

• Lab/research equipment.
• Simple hand tools.
• Heavy equipment (buffers, mowers, forklift, etc.).

Education

Associate degree or combination of education and experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications / Professional Licenses

• Animal Care Learning Program - Purina Institute, Animal Care Learning Program within 6 months - Purina Institute, Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) - American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS), Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) - within 2 years - American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)

Work Experience

No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills

Not Applicable

Driver's License

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Preferred Qualifications

No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Certifications / Professional Licenses

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience

Laboratory Animal Science (2 Years)

Skills

Biomedical Research, English Language, Heavy Lifting, Quality Care, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Writing

Grade

R05-H

Salary Range

$16.67 - $24.40 / Hourly

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [e-mail] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. As a federal contractor, the university maintains affirmative action programs to implement its equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.