Technical Specialist

Zoetis, Inc; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoetis, Inc. is seeking a Technical Specialist to support animal care operations and in vivo potency/safety testing in a regulated research environment.

The role emphasizes maintaining a safe, clean, and compliant setting for animals and staff while executing testing procedures, collecting data, and supporting investigations. The position collaborates with research, veterinary, manufacturing, central services, and quality teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum education: high school diploma or equivalent.
• 0-4 years in vivo laboratory or animal care experience.
• AALAS LAT certification and/or science degree preferred.
• Knowledge of animal welfare and regulatory expectations (USDA, FDA, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Provide daily animal care across assigned species and facilities.
• Document observations and escalate health/welfare issues per protocols.
• Perform in vivo procedures using aseptic techniques and standard methods.
• Support animal procurement and disposition activities as directed.
• Assist with routine laboratory testing to support product release and investigations.

Skills

Animal care

Aseptic technique

Vaccinations

Phlebotomy

Data entry

Documentation

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma

AALAS LAT (preferred)

Science degree (preferred)

Tools

LIMS

Windows

Job description

Position Summary:

The Technical Specialist supports animal care operations and in vivo potency/safety testing in a regulated research/manufacturing environment. This role maintains a safe, clean, and compliant setting for animals and colleagues while executing assigned testing procedures, collecting and verifying data, and supporting investigations and continuous improvement. The position collaborates with research, veterinary, manufacturing, central services, and quality partners. Schedule may include overtime, weekends, and holidays.

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Position Responsibilities:

• Perform all aspects of daily animal care across assigned areas/species (e.g., livestock, companion animals, rodents).
• Document observations, elevate health/welfare concerns, and implement corrective actions per protocols.
• Perform animal welfare-related actions in alignment with approved procedures.
• Support animal procurement and disposition activities as directed.
• Perform routine laboratory animal testing to support product release and manufacturing investigations.
• Execute and support in vivo procedures using aseptic technique and established methods, including:
  • injections/inoculations/vaccinations (e.g., IM, SQ, IP, ICr, IV) treatments (e.g., IM, SQ, oral, IV, topical) blood collection/phlebotomy and sample collection by approved routes challenge techniques and post-challenge observations
• Conduct test set-up and ensure readiness of materials, reagents, and supplies.
• Collect data accurately; perform data audits, verification, and validation; complete required calculations.
• Troubleshoot assays/processes and support test method investigations and process improvements.
• Assist with and/or perform experiments (e.g., research and 3Rs initiatives) as assigned.
• Maintain clean, organized, and compliant animal rooms, laboratories, and support areas.
• Perform routine cleaning, sanitizing, and preventive maintenance tasks.
• Set up, calibrate, and operate relevant equipment; troubleshoot routine equipment issues.
• Monitor and replenish inventory for husbandry, facility operations, and testing.
• Follow and support biosafety/biosecurity practices to meet internal and external standards.
• Maintain accurate electronic and paper records in accordance with SOPs, GMPs (as applicable), and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain required documentation for animal procedures and testing (e.g., ACUPs, LIMS, SOPs).
• Participate in internal audits/inspections as requested.
• Interact effectively with internal customers and partners (e.g., Manufacturing, Central Services, Quality Assurance, Research/Veterinary).
• Demonstrate integrity, sound judgment, and attention to detail in data handling and decision-making.
• Review departmental SOPs and contribute to updates and training as needed.

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Education & Experience:

Minimum Education: High school diploma (or equivalent).

Experience:

• 0-4 years in vivo laboratory experience and/or animal care experience (combination of education and experience considered).

Preferred:

• AALAS certification (e.g., LAT) and/or 2- or 4-year degree in a science-based field.

• Working knowledge of applicable animal welfare and regulatory expectations (e.g., USDA, FDA, international requirements).

• Prior experience in an in vivo research setting.
• Quality control experience in an industry environment is a plus.

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Skills & Competencies:

• Proficiency in safe animal handling/restraint, aseptic technique, vaccinations, phlebotomy, and sample collection.

• Strong documentation discipline and comfort working with computer-based systems (Windows-based applications; LIMS experience helpful).

• Solid math skills (basic calculations; familiarity with mean/standard deviation is beneficial).

• Strong organization, time management, and attention to detail; ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-task environment.

• Team-oriented, collaborative communicator; able to provide direction/training to others and serve as a technical resource.

• Practical problem-solving; ability to make appropriate decisions with limited supervision.

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Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

• Ability to alternate between standing and seated work; frequent bending, reaching, kneeling, crouching, and stooping.
• Ability to routinely lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work in environments with temperature variation, odors/dust, noise, and typical animal facility exposures (e.g., potential bites/scratches).
• PPE required as appropriate (e.g., safety glasses, hearing protection, safety shoes, dust mask, apron/gloves/face shield when handling chemicals/cleaning agents).
• Immunizations may be required.
• Some work may be performed outdoors as needed by facility operations.

Full timeRegularColleague

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.

Notice: Zoetis recruiters will contact candidates via email from an address ending in @zoetis.com and may also initially connect with candidates through LinkedIn, including LinkedIn InMail. Zoetis does not use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or other web-based/generic email domains to communicate about job opportunities, interviews, or offers of employment. If you receive a recruitment-related email message claiming to be from Zoetis that does not come from @zoetis.com, please treat it as suspicious. For your security, do not reply, click links, open attachments, share personal or financial information, or send money in response to unexpected or questionable recruitment communications.

Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification. Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity to use our online application system. We offer reasonable accommodations as an alternative if requested by an individual with a disability. Please contact Zoetis Colleague Services at [e-mail] to request an accommodation. Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis. Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers. Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact. Please note that Zoetis seeks information related to job applications from candidates for jobs in the U.S. solely via the following: (1) our company website at www.Zoetis.com/careers site, or (2) via email to/from addresses using only the Zoetis domain of "@zoetis.com". In addition, Zoetis does not use Google Hangout for any recruitment related activities. Any solicitation or request for information related to job applications with Zoetis via any other means and/or utilizing email addresses with any other domain should be disregarded. In addition, Zoetis will never ask candidates to make any type of personal financial investment related to gaining employment with Zoetis.