Specialist II, Small Animal Care

Colossal Biosciences; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company specializing in animal research seeks a Specialist II for Small Animal Care in Dallas, TX. The role entails providing high-quality animal care, supporting research activities, and ensuring compliance with health protocols. Ideal candidates will possess a background in veterinary technology and experience in handling various small species, complemented by strong communication skills and a commitment to animal welfare.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Unlimited PTO and company holidays

Flexible spending accounts (FSA)

Company matched 401k retirement plan

Paid parental leave up to 12 weeks

Education reimbursement

Qualifications

• 1 or more years of experience providing hands-on animal care in a research, clinical, or zoological setting.
• Active licensure in good standing or ability to be licensed in Texas.

Responsibilities

• Ensure animal care with responsibilities including feeding and health checks.
• Participate in studies and manage colony animal counts.

Skills

Experience with colony management of multiple small animal species

Knowledgeable in reproductive management and surgeries

Experience training personnel on key hands-on techniques

Experience with the safe administration of medications

Strong written and oral communication skills

Education

Graduate from a 2 or 4 year Veterinary Technical program accredited by the AVMA

Job description

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The Specialist II, Small Animal Care serves as part of the animal operations team to ensure a culture of care in the implementation of Colossal’s animal research program. Specialists will assist with routine care of small animal species. This position directly reports to the Manager of Small Animal Care.

This position will be based in Dallas, TX to provide daily onsite support. Relocation assistance is available.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Scheduled shifts: The animal care team is responsible for providing year-round coverage of small animal avian and mammalian needs. This necessitates you to provide 1 day of scheduled weekend coverage with a compensatory day-off during the week. Likewise, holiday coverage will be fairly allocated and scheduled with compensatory PTO. Team members may be called upon to provide back-up coverage, if colleagues call out sick.
• Animal Handling & Care: Calmly & safely handle animals minimizing stress for all. Deploy effective species specific programs to maximize animal well-being. Calculate, prepare and provide customized daily meals based on nutritional needs of individual animals and species. Provide preventative and interventional care under direction of veterinarian. Identify animals through RFID and other identification systems.
• Reproductive management: Participate in studies to better understand the reproductive physiology of multiple species. Manage matings, pregnancies, and weaning.
• Research: Participate in the execution of studies, including data and sample collection.
• Procedural support: Participate in planned procedures by providing monitoring and supportive care. There is the opportunity to perform anesthetic and surgical procedures.
• Census Management: Maintain census of colony animals and enter into colony management software to track populations by species and project.
• Biosecurity and Biosurveillance: Follow SOPs to ensure biosecurity and help perform quarterly biosurveillance testing.
• Record Keeping, Animal Sick Log, & Care: Help maintain all medical records. Maintain & review with veterinarian, manager, and animal care team members cases. Provide approved medical interventions and humane euthanasia, as needed to prevent suffering.
• Compliance: Help ensure full compliance in the execution of all approved IACUC protocols. Help prepare for IACUC, AAALAC and USDA inspections and respond to reports in a timely manner.
• Inventory Control: Record the receipt, use and disposal of medications and drugs following state and federal requirements. Ensure that adequate stocks are maintained for general surgical, medical, testing, shipping and enrichment items.
• Medical Support: Provide appropriate perioperative support, monitoring and pain relief for all planned procedures.
• On-boarding and Training: All team members must enroll in and remain compliant with required Occupational Health and Safety training programs to be able to work within vivaria. Note: OHS required vaccination and testing is a precondition for employment. Team members will participate in required online training and receive hands-on training in the safe handling, administration of medications, anesthesia and post-operative care of animals.
  
  

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Experience with colony management of multiple small animal species
• Knowledgeable in reproductive management and surgeries
• Experience training personnel on key hands-on techniques
• Experience with the safe administration of medications
• Experience with anesthesia and perioperative support
• Experience in surgical techniques in multiple species
• Experience with colony management software
• Strong written and oral communication skills, as well as creative problem-solving skills
• Enjoys the fast-paced startup environment and teamwork
• Practiced interpersonal and critical thinking skills
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to function well in a growth-oriented, nimble environment
  
  

Experience:

• 1 or more years of experience providing hands-on animal care teams in a research, small animal clinical or zoological setting
  
  

Preferred Education/Accreditations:

• Graduate from a 2 or 4 year Veterinary Technical program accredited by the AVMA and have passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) or a state Licensed Technician Veterinary Exam (LVTE)
• Active licensure in good standing or ability to be licensed in Texas
• Proficiency in multiple rodent care skills including but not limited to: Rodent breeding colony management, weaning/sexing rodents, sampling for genotyping/identification.
• Proficiency in multiple rodent health care techniques such as teeth and nail trimming, in-life bleeds, terminal bleeds, injections, ear tagging/notching.
• Understanding of rodent health conditions and concerns.
  
  

What Colossal Offers You:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Unlimited PTO and company holidays so you can rest and recharge
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• Company matched 401k retirement plan
• Paid parental leave up to 12 weeks
• Education reimbursement
• An opportunity to help us return the Earth to a healthier state
  
  

The team at Colossal is committed, colorful, passionate, intelligent, collaborative, creative, experienced, scientific and world-class. That sounds like a lot to fit into one building. That’s why we are spread out in several locations that include laboratories, test facilities, academic institutions, libraries and offices.

Through it all, however, we maintain a culture of positivity, hope, happiness and belief that we’re doing something big. Something Colossal.

Colossal is proud to be an equal employment opportunity workplace. We welcome people from all backgrounds as well as celebrate and support diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment of mutual respect that is free from discrimination and harassment so everyone can thrive.

EEO is the Law

Search Firm Representatives: Colossal does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms. No fees will be paid for a hired candidate where no pre-existing agreement is in place. We handle most recruitment in-house.

Colossal is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by BuiltIn for 3 years in a row across multiple categories in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• #1 on the 50 Best Startups to Work For in Dallas in 2023!
• 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Dallas in 2024 & 2025
• 100 Best Places to Work in Dallas, TX (All Size Employers) in 2024 & 2025
  
  

Built In 2025 Award Lists

Great Place to Work Certification Page

Most Loved Workplace Certification Page - Proud to be certified as a most loved workplace including: most loved CEO, most loved workplaces for LGBTQ+, most loved workplaces for women, and most loved workplaces for young professionals.

Newsweek's Most Loved Workplaces 2024 Award List - Excited to be amongst the winners of Newsweek's 2024 Most Loved Workplaces!

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