Lead Animal Technician

South Dakota Board of Regents

Brookings (SD)

Hybrid

USD 45,000 - 60,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Job summary

South Dakota State University invites applications for a 12-month, 100% time position in Brookings, SD to oversee undergraduate animal care staff and support the gnotobiotic program. The role includes supervising students, training, facility operations, and maintaining inventory and equipment while providing hands-on animal husbandry support.

The successful candidate will assist the Animal Resource Manager, participate in vivarium training, and ensure compliance with biosafety and institutional

Qualifications

Knowledge of animal husbandry and animal care needs.
Understanding of pathogens and biosafety practices.
Experience with gnotobiotic work is preferred.
Experience supervising students or staff is desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead and supervise undergraduate animal care staff.
Support vivarium training and document management.
Oversee preventive maintenance of vivarium equipment.

Skills

Animal husbandry

Biosecurity

Gnotobiotic work

Leadership

Education

Veterinary Technician program

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Access

Outlook

Job description

Join a dynamic team supporting cutting-edge animal research and advancing excellence in animal care. This position plays a key role in overseeing undergraduate staff, supporting training and facility operations, maintaining inventory and equipment, and contributing to the gnotobiotic program. The role also provides hands-on support for animal husbandry and research while serving as a key backup to the Animal Resource Wing Manager. This position is located in Brookings, South Dakota and it a 12 month, 100% time position.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Job Responsibilities:

Work with and alongside subordinate animal care staff and students, leading with enthusiasm and initiative. This position assists the Animal Resource Manager with animal care oversight.
Assist with running the vivarium training program for vivarium employees and research team members and assist with document management.
Manage and oversee the preventative maintenance of the vivarium’s various equipment.

Benefits:

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of:

Understand the animal husbandry and medical needs of numerous animal species
Thoroughly understand pathogens of multiple species and the means (engineering, SOPS , PPE , disinfectants)
Computer software (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook)
Gnotobiotic and colostrum deprived animal work-animals and equipment
Preferred graduation from accredited veterinary technician program
Preferred research background/experience

Skill & Ability to:

Critical thinking and initiative
Ability to supervise undergraduate students and provide direction to other technicians
Build a working knowledge of biosecurity and biosafety
Facility user and staff training. Research support
Must have a valid driver’s license

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check. SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

Work Hours

Monday-Friday 7am-4pm or 8am-5pm. Rotating on call holidays and weekends (primarily for phone calls/text with animal care staff with questions). Occasionally physically required to be on site.

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Regular

Scope of Search

Scope of Search External (includes Internal)

Duration of the Term

Duration of the Term 12 months

Appointment Percent

Appointment Percent 100

Department Description and Cultural Expectations:

SDState is the state's largest, most comprehensive university with an annual budget over $360 million, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu . Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU , Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.

Contact Information:

For additional information regarding this position or questions about the online application process, please contact Human Resources at 605-688-4128.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position.

Protective Clothing/Equipment

Please check the appropriate response for this position’s use of the following protective clothing or equipment.

Ear Protection (including earplugs), Eye Protection, Latex Gloves, Other, Protective Clothing, Respirator, Surgical Mask

If other protection is used please identify

Other PPE as deemed necessary depending on research project needs.

Physical Requirements

Please designate the physical requirements of this position

Balancing, Bending, Stooping, Twisting, Carrying, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Stairs, Crouching, Driving, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Grasping, Kneeling, Lifting Above Waist, Lifting heavy, Pushing/Pulling, Reaching, Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Use Both Hands, Use of Either Hand, Independently, Walking, Squatting, Standing for sustained periods of time

Describe any of the conditions selected

Sensory Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position.

Color Vision, Depth Perception, Distant Vision, Hearing, Near Vision, Peripheral Vision, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures

Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day.

Animal Handling, Atmospheric Contaminants (includes odors & fumes), Biohazard, Changes of Temperature, Chemical Hazards, Exposure or Potential Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids, Exposure to Dust, Exposure to Infectious Diseases, Exposure to Noise, Extreme Cold, Extreme Heat >100F, Extreme Weather Conditions (wind, rain, snow, humidity), Vaccination recommended due to potential occupational exposure, Walking/Standing on rough or uneven surfaces (gravel, rocks, etc), Walking/Standing on wood, metal or concrete, Work in confined/congested spaces (tunnels), Work in narrow aisles/passageways, Working Around Machinery, Work Overhead

Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed.

Animal Facility, Animal Research Farm, Clinical Environment, Farm or Grassland Environment, Lab Environment, Mechanical Facility, Office Environment, Outdoors Environment

If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Where did you hear about this position?
- LinkedIn
- SDBOR Employment Site
- South Dakota Department of Labor
- Employee Referral
- Department Announcement / Inside State
- Handshake
- Job Board (Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter) - Please specify
- Industry Conference
- Search Engine - Please specify
- Employment Agency - Please specify
- Newspaper - Please specify
- HigherEdJobs.com
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) - Please specify
- Radio - Please specify
- APLU
- List Servs - Please specify
- Alumni
- Other - Please specify