Vivarium Core Technician - 992597

Nova Southeastern University; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Nova Southwestern University in Fort Lauderdale is seeking an Animal Care Technician to provide daily care of research animals, including cage cleaning, observation, handling, and facility maintenance. This non-exempt, hourly position supports AAALAC-compliant animal care.

Candidates should have a High School Diploma or equivalent, experience in a research setting, and the ability to follow directions and keep detailed records. Training will cover safety, radiation safety, and lab safety.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years of experience in animal care in a research setting, or equivalent education path.
• Ability to follow written and oral directions and complete tasks in a timely manner.

Responsibilities

• Provide general sanitation of equipment used for maintenance of laboratory animals and ensure cleanliness per specifications.
• Assist in operating cage washing machines and prepare machines per SOPs for start up/shut down.
• Maintain assigned work areas in compliance with regulations and AAALAC guidelines to ensure efficiency and quality control.
• Follow safety procedures and seek help if work deviates from routine to ensure policy adherence.
• Attend NSU CCR training sessions including radiation safety, laboratory safety, and OSHA.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Policy knowledge

Record keeping

MS Office

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

High School Diploma

Associate degree / 60 credits

Bachelor’s degree in science/veterinary field

Tools

MS Office

Database management systems

Job description

We are excited that you are considering joining Nova Southwestern University!

Nova Southwestern University (NSU) was founded in 1964, and is a not-for-profit, independent university with a reputation for academic excellence and innovation. Nova Southwestern University offers competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package including tuition waiver, retirement plan, excellent medical and dental plans and much more. NSU cares about the health and welfare of its students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors and is a tobacco-free university.

We appreciate your support in making NSU the preeminent place to live, work, study and grow. Thank you for your interest in a career with Nova Southwestern University.

Primary Purpose:

Provides daily care of research animals including cage cleaning and sanitation, animal observation, handling and restraint, treatments, investigator support, and facility maintenance.

Job Category:Non-Exempt

Hiring Range:

Pay Basis:Hourly

Subject to Grant Funding?No

Essential Job Functions:

• 1. Provides general sanitation of equipment used for the maintenance of laboratory animals to ensure cleanliness and proper maintenance according to specifications.
• 2. Assists in operating industrial cage washing machines and prepare machines for start up and shut down according to SOPs to ensure proper working conditions.
• 3. Maintains assigned work areas in compliance with local, state and federal regulations, Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) guidelines, and established standard operation procedures to ensure the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality control of the laboratory and compliance with federal, state, and university regulations and standards.
• 4. Follows safety procedures as outlined in standard operations procedures and request help if work deviates from routine to ensure that standard policies and practices are followed.
• 5. Attends as required NSU CCR training sessions, including radiation safety, laboratory safety, blood-borne pathogens, and OSHA.
• 6. Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Job Requirements:

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• 1. Working knowledge of applicable policies, guidelines and regulations. Working knowledge of laws and regulations that govern the housing and management of laboratory animals.
• 2. Ability to maintain detailed and accurate daily record keeping.
• 3. Experience working with MS Office programs and other database management systems.
• 4. Ability to follow written and oral direction, and complete assignments in a timely manner including the ability to be thorough in performing assigned tasks.
• 5. Good interpersonal and organizational skills to effectively communicate with lab personnel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• 1. May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
• 2. Lift feed bags and animal cages up to 50 lbs.
• 3. Performs repetitive motions with arms, wrists and hands.
• 4. Employees will be exposed to animal waste.
• 5. Position may require vaccinations with licensed vaccines and medical surveillance.
• 6. Regular stooping, kneeling, bending or crouching. Must be able to work from a standing position for prolonged time periods.
• 7. Must be able to perform repetitive motion tasks.

Required Certifications/Licensures:

Required Education:High School Diploma or equivalent

Major (if required:

Required Experience:

• High School Diploma and two (2) years of experience in animal care in a research setting.
• --OR-- Associate’s degree or completed 60 college credits and one (1) years of experience in animal care in a research setting.
• --OR-- Bachelor’s degree and zero (0) to two (2) years of experience in animal care in a research setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1. Bachelors' degree in science/veterinarian field or related degree.
• 2. Experience in breeding/animal husbandry.
• 3. Experience in surgery monitoring a plus.
• 4. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification.

Is this a safety sensitive position?No

Background Screening Required? No

Pre-Employment Conditions:

Sensitivity Disclaimer:Nova Southwestern University is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary.

NSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status.