Senior Animal Technician

Socket.dev; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) plan

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Job summary

SciTech Services, Inc. seeks a Senior Animal Technician to lead a care team and provide daily care for USDA ARS animals. You will follow SOPs, monitor welfare, and maintain records in a compliant research setting.

Responsibilities include health checks, handling of equipment, and collaboration with veterinary and research staff while supporting hatchery operations and biosafety requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in animal care in research, agricultural, or veterinary settings.
• Ability to follow SOPs and AUPs.
• Ability to communicate using scientific terminology.
• Must pass a federal Tier 2 background investigation.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and work rotating shifts.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily animal care including feeding, watering, cleaning, and welfare monitoring.
• Conduct daily health checks and report abnormalities to veterinary staff.
• Maintain animal records, census data, and environmental parameter logs.
• Operate and maintain facility equipment and assist with hatchery operations.
• Assist with artificial insemination of poultry breeding colonies.
• Submit and manage facility and equipment work orders.

Skills

Animal care

Team leadership

SOP compliance

Scientific communication

Detail-oriented

Education

Associate's degree in animal science

Bachelor's degree in biology

Tools

AALAS Certification

Job description

Clearance requirement:Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a favorable suitability determination and pass an employment drug screening.

SciTech Services, Inc. (SciTech) is seeking a Senior Animal Technician to provide animal care support services to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The Senior Animal Technician serves as team lead to ensure the overall appearance and conduct of the staff.

This role involves providing daily care for animals, including feeding, watering, cleaning enclosures, and monitoring overall wellbeing.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive animal caretaking services, including feeding, watering, cleaning, and health monitoring.
• Conduct daily animal health checks and report abnormal conditions to veterinary and research staff.
• Maintain accurate animal records, census data, and environmental parameter logs in accordance with facility SOPs and Animal Care and Use Protocols.
• Clean, sanitize, and disinfect animal housing areas, equipment, caging, and support spaces.
• Operate and maintain facility equipment including autoclaves, incinerators, floor scrubbers, and automatic watering systems.
• Conduct minor medical treatments as directed by veterinary staff.
• Assist with terminal study procedures in accordance with IACUC requirements.
• General laundry services and maintain steady supply of clean PPE.
• Adhere to all BSL-2 biosecurity protocols including proper donning/doffing of PPE and showering requirements.
• Assist with animal transport between facilities in compliance with biosecurity and safety requirements.
• Conduct standard hatchery operations as assigned.
• Assist with artificial insemination of poultry breeding colonies.
• Submit and manage facility and equipment work orders

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Candidates should possess skills in animal care, handling, and methodologies in a research, agricultural, or veterinary setting.
• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions, SOPs, and AUPs.
• Ability to communicate effectively using scientific and medical terminology in written and verbal interactions.
• Must pass a federal Tier 2 background investigation.
• Must be willing to sign a No Avian Contact attestation form (no contact with outside avian species).
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs repeatedly.
• Must be available to work rotating schedules including weekends and federal holidays.
• Strong attention to detail, reliability, and organizational skills, with the ability to complete physical tasks such as lifting, cleaning, and standing for extended periods.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills to collaborate with research, veterinary, and facility staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• 6 months of experience working with poultry.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in animal science, biology, or related field.
• AALAS Certification (ALAT, LAT, LATg).

SciTech offers an excellent benefits package for full-time employees that includes: health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, a great 401(k) package, vacation, and sick leave.

Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability and Veterans.