Senior Animal Care Technician

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition benefits

Retirement planning

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking a Sr Animal Care Technician RS1 to perform advanced handling, husbandry, and care of USDA species in DAR’s vivarium. The role requires meticulous attention to animal health, environment, and cleanliness, with teamwork across vet and research staff.

The position is fully onsite with 40 hours per week, offering benefits and a strong safety-focused work culture. Prior USDA animal care experience and appropriate certifications are preferred.

Qualifications

• Ability to work with diverse population respectfully.
• High school diploma required.
• Strong attention to detail and effective time management.
• Significant experience in animal care facilities involving USDA species.
• Excel in following both oral and written instructions.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and stand for extended periods.
• Expertise in safely handling and interacting with animals and ensuring a safe environment.
• Handle and apply cleaning chemicals with proper PPE.
• Candidates must be observant and respond appropriately to situations.
• Teamwork and the ability to meet deadlines are essential.

Responsibilities

• Handle, observe, and report on animal health and cage elements for USDA species.
• Provide basic and advanced animal husbandry, census, enrichment, and cage wash activities.
• Collaborate with veterinary and research staff to meet needs and maintain safety standards.
• Participate in staff training and health/safety programs; complete annual safety requirements.

Skills

Animal care experience

Attention to detail

Time management

Safety procedures

Teamwork

Follow instructions

Physical strength

Education

ALAS LAT certification

ALAT certification

Job description

Department Summary

Welcome to VCU … a world unlikeany other! We combine learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs.

Here, your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay and mission-driven work. We advance a conscientious drive to support a climate where excellence and success for all people are valued and differences are celebrated.

Together, we can be unstoppable!

Duties & Responsibilities

This position requires advanced Handling, Husbandry and Care of USDA species. Incumbent will conduct accurate observations and reporting of animal health and cage elements for multiple USDA species housed within DAR’s vivarium (food, water, and caging). Provide basic and advanced animal husbandry (i.e., cage, water and food change), cage/animal census, environmental enrichment, and room/vivarium/cage wash housekeeping activities. Attentive and knowledgeable on various health conditions and symptoms of pathogen infection in sensitive USDA species. Ability to plan ahead to ensure needed supplies are properly disinfected, sanitized. Be able to work with little or no supervision once trained on assigned tasks. Participate in staff training and employee health and safety programs. Annual safety requirements will be completed to include; fit testing, TB testing (if applicable) and drug screening. Follow the VCU Code of conduct to offer a consistently high quality of customer service. Extreme attention to detail required in husbandry, cleaning and handling techniques. Work closely with vet staff and research staff ensuring their needs are met.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
• The candidate possesses a high school diploma
• Strong attention to detail and effective time management skills.
• Significant experience in animal care facilities involving USDA species.
• Excel in following both oral and written instructions.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and stand for extended periods.
• Expertise in safely handling and interacting with animals and ensures a safe environment.
• The role requires the individual to safely handle and apply cleaning chemicals while properly wearing protective gear.
• Candidates must be observant and respond appropriately to various situations.
• Teamwork and the ability to meet deadlines are essential.

Preferred Qualifications

• ALAS certification at LAT level preferred, or 5 years laboratory animal husbandry experience, or ALAT certification and 3 years laboratory animal husbandry experience.

Salary Range: $40,000-$44,000

Benefits

• All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: 34024N - Sr Animal Care Technician RS1

Contact Information

Contact Name: Niki Boyd

Contact Email: [e-mail]