Technician I - Animal Care Cagewash, 1st Shift

Charles River Laboratories; Mattawan (MI); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

bonus/incentives based on performance

401K

paid time off

stock purchase program

Health and wellness coverage

employee and family wellbeing support

Job summary

Charles River Laboratories in Mattawan, MI is seeking an entry-level Technician I – Animal Care to support the Cagewash Team. The role involves hands-on training in cagewash operations, animal care tasks, and equipment handling under supervision.

The position offers $20/hour with potential variability based on experience and location, and requires adherence to GLP, SOPs, and safety standards while maintaining accurate records and contributing to animal welfare.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Experience: 0-12 months relevant experience.
• Able to learn a validated system and use basic software.
• Must communicate effectively in writing and verbally.

Responsibilities

• Promote animal welfare through safe, humane handling.
• Perform basic cagewash tasks with training and supervision.
• Operate rack and tunnel washers after training.
• Record information on paper forms or electronic systems.
• Maintain cleanliness of animal rooms and work areas.
• Stock and organize equipment and assist with cagewash coordination.
• Learn equipment types, functions, and standard procedures.
• Complete required training and follow safety guidelines.

Skills

Communication

Data recording

Customer service

Multitasking

Safety procedures

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

We are seeking a Technician I – Animal Care for our Cagewash Team in Mattawan MI. The Cagewash Assistant is an entry-level position that supports daily cagewash and equipment operations. This role provides hands‑on training while performing routine cleaning, preparation, and handling of equipment and supplies. Employees work under close supervision and are expected to follow safety guidelines, care standards, and established procedures.

The pay for this position is $20/hr. Please note that salaries vary within the range based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, certifications, and location.

Job Description

Cares for the animals used in research and development studies. Performs duties related to the maintenance of experimental animals such as feeding and caring for animals, cleaning cages, holding animals for treatment by laboratory technician or maintaining inventory and animal identification records. Performs cleaning/sanitation of animal facility and equipment. Responsible for bio‑safety and bio‑security of the animals. May partner with pre‑clinical investigators to assist and support veterinarians with surgery, dosing, post‑op care and monitoring of animal studies.

• Promote animal welfare through safe, humane, and positive interactions.
• Perform basic cagewash tasks with training and supervision, including cleaning, preparation, inspection, and tracking of equipment.
• Operate rack and tunnel washers after training is provided.
• Accurately record information using paper forms or electronic systems.
• Help maintain cleanliness of assigned animal rooms and work areas.
• Stock and organize non-consumable equipment and assist with cagewash coordination.
• Learn equipment types, functions, and standard procedures.
• Participate in required training and follow all safety guidelines, SOPs, and GLP standards.
• Perform additional related tasks as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or General Education Degree (G.E.D.) preferred.
• Experience: 0-12 months of relevant experience.
• Certification/Licensure: None
• Computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite), commensurate with essential functions, including the ability to learn a validated system.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing at all levels inside and outside the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to consistently and effectively produce high quality results and record accurate study and departmental data.
• Demonstrated strong customer service focus
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities to achieve goals.
• Ability to ensure that a safe working environment is maintained by observing all safety procedures and working methods by making proper use of protective clothing and equipment, and by reading, understanding, and following all safety documents issued or notified of.
• Ability to ensuretheintegrityof the studies and fulfill the regulatory agencies requirements by performing the activitiesaccordingto the GoodLaboratoryPractices (GLP), Standard Operating Procedures(SOP), Business Operating Procedures (BOP) and theInstitutionalAnimal Care and UseCommittee(IACUC)rules.
• Ability to push/pull/lift up to 50lbs.
• Ability to exercise decision‑making under the direction of a technical supervisor.
• Ability to work extended hours beyond normal work schedule to include, but not limited to evenings, weekends, extended shifts, and/or extra shifts, sometimes on short notice.
• Ability to work under specific time constraints.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without a sponsor visa, now or in the future.

About Safety Assessment

Charles River is committed to helping our partners expedite their preclinical drug development with exceptional safety assessment services, state‑of‑the‑art facilities and expert regulatory guidance. From individual specialty toxicology and IND enabling studies to tailored packages and total laboratory support, our deeply experienced team can design and execute programs that anticipate challenges and avoid roadblocks for a smooth, efficient journey to market. Each year approximately 300 investigational new drug (IND) programs are conducted in our Safety Assessment facilities.

About Charles River

Charles River is an early‑stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non‑GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.

With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.

At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well‑being of many across the globe. We have proudly worked on 80% of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past five years.

We’re committed to providing benefits that elevate your quality of life. Based on your position these may include: bonus/incentives based on performance, 401K, paid time off, stock purchase program, Health and wellness coverage, employee and family wellbeing support programs, and work life balance flexibility.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, family status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

It is unlawful in some states (including Massachusetts) to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

For more information, please visit www.criver.com.