ULAR Technician, Cagewash

University of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 24,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Pennsylvania is seeking a ULAR Technician, Cagewash to support the ULAR team in maintaining clean and safe cagewash operations. The role rotates between the dirty and clean sides, loading cages, washing, and preparing fresh cages for animal rooms.

The position emphasizes adherence to SOPs, safety procedures, and daily husbandry support. A high school diploma and ability to lift 50 lbs are required, with weekend/overtime availability and FBI background considerations as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with 0–1 year related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Alatas certification (ALAT) preferred; may count as experience/education
• Must read, write, and understand English; follow written and verbal instructions
• Must be able to stand for long periods and repetitively lift 50 lbs.
• Must pass pre-employment physical and may pass FBI background check
• Willing to work weekends/holidays/overtime as required
• Safety minded with teamwork orientation and ability to follow SOPs and facility requirements

Responsibilities

• Provides basic cage wash duties using mechanical cage, rack, and tunnel washers
• Sanitizes, maintains, and repairs cagewash materials
• Keeps cagewash facilities clean and organized per SOPs
• Maintains equipment and performs routine preventive maintenance on cagewash and autoclaves
• Assists with receipt, stocking, and maintenance of supplies

Skills

English proficiency

Team player

Ability to lift 50 lbs

Safety conscious

Reading/following instructions

Willing to work weekends/holidays

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

AALAS ALAT certification (preferred)

Tools

Computer skills

Job description

ULAR Technician, Cagewash

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer inPhiladelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research,and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranksamong the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & WorldReport survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provideopportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education,all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been rankednationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbeswho named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city ofPhiladelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urbancampus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, andrecreational activities. With its historical significance andlandmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety ofatmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home forwork and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includesexcellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and theirfamilies, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety ofprofessional development opportunities, supportive work and familybenefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources,and much more.

Posted Job Title

ULAR Technician, Cagewash

Job Profile Title

Technician, Cagewash B

Job Description Summary

Join our dedicated ULAR team and play a vital role in supportinghigh-quality animal research. As a Cagewash Technician, you'll helpmaintain a clean, safe, and efficient environment for our researchanimals by ensuring a steady supply of sanitized cages andequipment. Working at one of ULAR's facilities, you'll rotatebetween the \"dirty\" and \"clean\" sides of the operation - preparingsoiled cages for washing, loading dirty changes into the tunnelwasher, unloading the washed cages, and setting up freshly cleanedcages with new bedding for use in animal rooms. You'll providegeneral support for daily husbandry operations. This position ishands-on and essential to the smooth functioning of our animalresearch.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Provides basic cage wash duties, including the processing ofall caging material through mechanical cage, rack, and tunnelwashers
• Sanitizes, maintains, and repairs caging materials asneeded.
• Maintains cagewash facilities in a clean and organized manner, in adherence with all SOP and facility requirements
• Maintains facility equipment and performs routine preventativemaintenance on cagewash and autoclaves, including routineinspection of cleaning filters and roto-arms
• Dispose of waste materials in a safe and thorough manner asrequired
• Operates equipment and uses supplies according to safetyguidelines; performs general housekeeping and adheres to safetyprocedures
• Any other contract-related duties as requested orassigned
• Assists with the receipt, stocking, and maintenance of supplyinventories

Qualifications

• Cagewash A: High school diploma or equivalent and 0-1-yearrelated experience or equivalent combination of education andexperience
• Cagewash B: High school diploma is a plus, either one of thefollowing: (1) one year of experience in a lab animal facility(animal care experience); or (2) AALAS certification at the ALATlevel. Plus, knowledge of proper handling and restraint techniquesof laboratory animals is required, or an equivalent combination ofeducation and experience
• Ability to read, write, and comprehend English
• Ability to follow both written and verbal instructions
• Ability to explain problems/issues/solutions
• Must be service-oriented and able to work as a teammember
• Able to repetitively lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand for long periods
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination before startingwork
• Ability to work weekends/holidays/overtime as required
• May be required to pass FBI background check
• Computer skills are a plus

Application Requirement

• A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered forthis position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you toupload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Targeted Pay Range

$17.25 - $23.75 hourly, commensurate with education andexperience

This position is classified as \"Essential Personnel.\" As anessential employee, you may be expected to report to work or remainon duty during university closures, delayed openings, or earlydismissals, unless otherwise directed by your supervisor or amember of the senior management team. Additionally, you may also berequired to work during university emergencies, including but notlimited to natural disasters, extended periods of inclementweather, and other unforeseen events.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Provost's Center

Pay Range

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications,experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to therequirements of the position, and in alignment with salary rangesbased on external market data for the job's level. Internalorganization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer.Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race,color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenshipstatus, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state, or local law.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer ismade. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to therequirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Pennoffers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health,dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and yourfamily's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spendingaccounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent careexpenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuitionbenefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can gettuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are alsoeligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans tohelp you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, andSupplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on apre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investmentoptions through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with asubstantial amount of time away from work during the course of theyear. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personalaffairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time withfamily-whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with GenworthFinancial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible familymembers) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of thecosts of long-term care services received at home, in the communityor in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, youwon't have to provide proof of good health or be subject tounderwriting requirements. Eligible family members must alwaysprovide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed tosupporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competingdemands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a widevariety of programs and resources to help you care for your health,your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides anarray of resources to help you advance yourself personally andprofessionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community,you have access to a wide range of University resources as well ascultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of theUniversity's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit ourarboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on atPenn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latestmusic or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the PennRelays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a memberof the Penn community, you're right in the middle of theexcitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of theseactivities for free.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts andentertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find greatdeals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts andcultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admissionand memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoysubstantial savings on other goods and services such as new carsfrom Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movietickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offercreative approaches for completing work while promoting balancebetween work and personal commitments. These approaches involve useof non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or jobstructures.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivableloan for eligible employees interested in buying a home orcurrently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used forclosing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligibleemployees on qualified expenses in connection with the legaladoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for upto two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay