Primate Caretaker

University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 23,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The Primate Caretaker at University of Wisconsin–Madison performs health checks on nonhuman primates, TB testing, feeding, and standard treatments. You will handle animals, collect health data, and support research activities while adhering to safety protocols and training requirements.

The role involves maintaining records, assisting with housing sanitation, and transporting animals as needed. A strong physical capability and willingness to undergo extensive training are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience with animals or care of household/farm animals is preferred.
• One-year nonhuman primate experience to qualify for higher pay.
• Experience with animal husbandry and administering medications, etc.

Responsibilities

• Inventories, cleans, and maintains organization of animal holding spaces and supplies.
• Observes animal behavior, performs basic animal care, and reports concerns to contribute to the health and well-being of animals and promote research.
• Prepares food and formulas and feeds animals according to established schedules and specifications.
• Collects samples from animals and administers medications, injections, and treatments according to established protocols and procedures to be used for diagnostic tests and research.
• Inspects and reports equipment problems to ensure optimal and safe operation.
• Maintains organization of and updates records related to research procedures.
• Operation of automatic cage wash machine.

Skills

Animal care

Safety awareness

Training

Record-keeping

Driver's license

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Current Employees

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Job Category

University Staff

Employment Type

Regular

Job Profile

Animal Care Technician II

Job Summary

The Primate Caretaker performs animal health checks on nonhuman primates; performs TB testing procedures; feeds animals and administers special diets when necessary; performs standard animal treatment procedures for minor illnesses; performs blood draw procedures; tattoos animals; cleans and sanitizes animal housing and other animal areas; handles animals including transporting, training and weighing; enter animals health data into database, and other tasks as assigned.

Key Job Responsibilities

• 10% Inventories, cleans, and maintains organization of animal holding spaces and supplies
• 25% Observes animal behavior, performs basic animal care, and reports concerns to the appropriate entities to contribute to the health and well-being of animals and promote research
• 15% Prepares food and formulas and feeds animals according to established schedules and specifications
• 25% Collects samples from animals and administers medications, injections, and treatments according to established protocols and procedures to be used for diagnostic tests and research
• 5% Inspects and reports equipment problems to ensure optimal and safe operation
• 10% Maintains organization of and updates records related to research procedures
• 10% Operation of automatic cage wash machine

Department

UWMSN | OVCR | WNPRC Colony Services

Compensation

The starting hourly rate for the position is $18.91 (but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications).

Required Qualifications

Evidence of work-related experience with animals, or knowledge of the care of animals through care of household pets, farm animals, or 4-H animals is preferred but not required. Incumbent will work with our training unit and experienced staff to learn the tasks to be performed, including but not limited to nonhuman primate handling and care techniques, utilizing standard safety practices and precautions, and recognizing nonhuman primate behavior considered symptomatic of an illness or injury. The incumbent will undergo extensive training to obtain proficiency in the care of nonhuman primates to perform these tasks under limited supervision.Salary commensurate with experience. Applicants must have one-year previous nonhuman primate experience to qualify for higher pay rate. Must have previous experience with animal husbandry, performing animal health observations, administering medications, etc

Preferred Qualifications

AALAS - American Association for Laboratory Animal Science Technician Certification PreferredAmerican Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) or Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT), or Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) is preferred but not required.

Education

High School Diploma

Additional Information

• Requires the ability to lift a minimum of 65 lbs independently and physical and manual dexterity to perform specialized technical tasks
• Physical ability to lift, sit, stand, bend, reach, squat, twist and push to safely handle and care for the nonhuman primates
• Must be TB negative
• Must be comfortable working with animals in a research setting, and around or directly with infectious diseases and hazardous materials
• Applicant will be required to have a measles titer within the first week of employment. Depending on the results of the blood test, applicant may need to be immunize
• Allergies to animals must be controlled by medication
• A criminal background check is required to ensure eligibility to work with animals
• Detailed reference checks will be conducted prior to employment to verify prior good standing in animal care
• Must possess a valid driver's license that meets standards of UW Risk Management in order to operate WNPRC vehicles
• This is considered an essential position, and as such, applicant must be willing to fulfill the duties of the position
• Employees are expected to act in the best interest of the University and to protect the University from both actual conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest
• University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is an ongoing position that will require continuous work eligibility. UW-Madison is not an E-Verify employer, and therefore, is not eligible to employ F1 STEM OPT Extension participants. If you are selected for this position, you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.

The Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC) is one of seven federally supported National Primate Research Centers and the only one in the midwest. The WNPRC's mission is to increase the understanding of basic primate biology and to improve human health and quality of life through research. To accomplish this, the WNPRC helps discover treatments, preventions and cures for human disease; generates new knowledge of primate biology, from the molecular and whole animal levels to the understanding of primate ecosystems; facilitates research progress by providing expertise, resources and training to scientists worldwide; and collects primate information and disseminates to the research comm nity and to the public.

Contact Information: Kate Rouman: [e-mail]

Institutional Statement on Diversity

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.